Reset Your Home for the School Year
Create calm, function, and flow—right in time for the school year.
The back-to-school season is a natural reset point for families. After a summer of looser routines and shifting schedules, August and September bring a renewed need for structure—not just in your calendar, but throughout your home. Before the first day sneaks up, take time to physically reset key areas of your house so you're not scrambling once the school chaos begins.
After helping clients (and doing this myself every year with my daughter Olivia—who’s now heading into 8th grade), I’ve learned that a few thoughtful tweaks can make a major difference. Below are the most impactful zones to refresh now to set your whole household up for success.
Home updates to help your family start the school year calm, organized, and ready!
Kids’ Rooms: Clear Clutter + Make Space to Grow
Why it matters:
A child’s bedroom needs to evolve as they do. From preschool cubbies to tween closets, their space should reflect their current age and lifestyle—not the chaos of last year.
Steps to reset:
Declutter what no longer fits or gets used. Start with clothing, then move to toys, books, and decor. Donate anything that’s been outgrown physically or emotionally (yes, even if you loved that tiny backpack).
Create clear zones. A bed for sleep, a desk or corner for schoolwork, and drawers or bins for categories like art supplies, tech, or personal items.
Update organizational systems. What worked last year may not anymore. For Olivia, we swapped out bins of stuffed animals for drawer dividers that hold skincare and school supplies.
Prep a homework-ready space. Even if they prefer to work at the kitchen table, have a dedicated spot for school supplies in their room to reduce clutter elsewhere.
The Kitchen: Fuel Efficiency (Literally)
Why it matters:
Back-to-school mornings are no joke—and neither is the after-school snack rush. A few systems here can save your sanity all year long.
Steps to reset:
Designate a snack zone. Make healthy options easy to grab by storing them in low drawers or bins. We use clear bins in the pantry labeled with categories like “snacks,” “lunch sides,” and “grab + go.”
Streamline lunch prep. Gather everything you use for lunches—containers, water bottles, napkins, Sharpies, etc.—into one drawer or cabinet. Consider a bin in the fridge for prepped items.
Stock up for success. Use this time to take inventory of lunch gear, meal staples, vitamins, and breakfast essentials so you’re not scrambling at 7:15 a.m.
Keep counters clear. Reset your kitchen workspace so it feels like a calm place to start and end the day.
Entryways + Drop Zones: Stop the Pileup Before It Starts
Why it matters:
When everyone’s rushing in or out, clutter piles up fast. Creating clear drop zones eliminates the daily “where are my shoes/backpack/keys” scramble.
Steps to reset:
Assign each family member a spot. Hooks or lockers for bags and jackets, baskets for shoes, and cubbies for sports gear or seasonal extras.
Use vertical space. Especially in smaller entryways, wall hooks, over-the-door organizers, or a mounted shelf can do wonders.
Create a launchpad. Set up a small table, tray, or command center with essentials like keys, sunglasses, sunscreen, and permission slips. This is your go-to spot for “out the door” items.
Revisit weekly. Set a reminder to reset this zone on Sundays to keep things from spiraling.
Shared Spaces: Reduce Visual Clutter for Mental Clarity
Why it matters:
Living rooms, dining rooms, and play areas get used (and often trashed) by the end of summer. Start the school year fresh by creating zones of calm and cutting down on visual overload.
Steps to reset:
Edit the toys and games. If your kids are older, reassess whether that toy bin is still needed. If you have an incoming middle schooler, you might need to retire that LEGO table for a vanity. Ask me how I know ;)
Contain categories. Use baskets, bins, or drawers to group like items. Label what you can, even if it’s just for you.
Streamline surfaces. Clear off tables, counters, and shelves so your eye has a place to rest—and so there’s room for homework, reading, or a puzzle night.
Create calm corners. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook or a designated tech-free zone, carve out little spaces that encourage focus or downtime.
Paper Central: Prep a System Before It Becomes a Stack
Why it matters:
Permission slips, newsletters, homework, art, fundraiser flyers—it’s coming for you. Set up your paper plan before the flood hits.
Steps to reset:
Set up a Command Center. Include a visible calendar, inbox for “action items,” and a clear home for incoming papers (and outgoing forms).
Create long-term storage. Use a bin with labeled hanging files or one of my favorite solutions: a custom School Memory Box to store artwork, awards, and keepsakes by grade.
Make it visual. If you’re an “out of sight, out of mind” person like me, use trays or vertical sorters in a visible location.
Sort once a week. Sunday evenings are a great time to reset the paper piles and prep for the week ahead.
Resetting your home doesn’t mean a full renovation or a trip to The Container Store (although I never say no to that!). It’s about creating an environment that supports your family’s real needs right now—not last year’s habits or clutter.
With a few targeted updates in the most high-traffic areas of your home, you’ll enter the school year feeling more prepared, less frazzled, and ready for whatever the year brings.
need more back-to-school advice? Check out these other blog posts!
Get Both Your Home & Your Family Back-To-School Ready
How To Stay Organized This School Year
5 Back-To-School Tips For A Stress-Free Fall