When your house feels chaotic, it can be hard to know where to begin organizing. Our home gets especially messy in the summer, and now that the kids are back in school I finally have time to tackle a few key spaces. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, I focused on three high-impact areas that make the school year smoother for our family.
Organize Your Home + Figuring Out Where To Start
As a single parent juggling four kids and a busy schedule, I can’t do it all. Pick three areas that will give you the most relief once they’re tidy. For us, those spaces are:
- mudroom
- pantry
- kitchen desk / homework station
1. Organize Your Mudroom / Coat Closet for Back to School
Starting with the mudroom, which sits right off the garage, made sense because it’s the first drop-off zone for backpacks, shoes, and coats. I wanted the kids to help, since it’s mostly their things creating the mess. When you tackle a mudroom, aim to clear the main surfaces and get a quick visual inventory of what’s there.
Our mudroom has two closets for overflow storage, which turned out to be very helpful. Here’s the streamlined process I use:
Take Inventory of Shoes, Backpacks, and Coats
Pull everything out and check the condition of backpacks, lunch boxes, and outerwear. Set aside items that need repair or replacement, and wash what’s dirty. Keep a laundry hamper nearby for sweaters and socks so they don’t pile up on the floor.
Store Off-Season Items
Move summer-only items like flip-flops, pool towels, and goggles into a labeled basket in the closet until the season changes. This frees up the everyday cubbies for school essentials.
Baskets and Containment
Use small baskets or cloth bins for sunglasses, goggles, extra school supplies, library books, and show-and-tell items. For shoes, a single large basket works well for younger children or when pets may chew footwear—when needed, tuck the whole basket into a closet.
Simple lighting and a mirror can make the space feel finished and functional. Keep hooks for backpacks and a bench or small rug to define the landing spot.
Mudroom Essentials:
Suggested items to streamline your mudroom: mirror, small baskets, wall hooks, pendant or overhead light, bench or small rug, and a large shoe basket.
2. Organizing Your Home Pantry for Back to School
A disorganized pantry makes meal prep and lunch packing stressful. When kids are home all summer the pantry can become a catch-all; come fall you’ll want it tidy and efficient for packing school lunches and quick dinners.
Empty and Sort
Take everything out and sort items into categories: snacks, baking, canned goods, cereals, and items that don’t belong. Throw away expired foods and donate unopened, usable items you won’t use.
Clean, Organize, and Buy What You Need
Wipe down shelves and add practical organizers like turntables for tall bottles, clear storage canisters for bulk items, tiered shelves for cans, and labeled baskets for snacks. A small bulletin board or chalkboard can hold menus, chore lists, and lunch notes. Clear containers and labels make it easy for kids to find what they need when packing lunches.
Labels and clear canisters help you see what’s running low at a glance—useful for weekly shopping and avoiding last-minute trips.
Pantry Essentials:
Recommended pantry organizers: clear food canisters, turntable for bottles, tiered can shelf, woven storage baskets, glass jars for bulk foods, and a chalkboard or bulletin board for notes and chore lists.
3. Homework Station / Our Kitchen Desk
With homework back on the agenda, establish a dedicated homework station so schoolwork doesn’t take over the kitchen table. A small shared space works well if it’s in a communal area where you can be nearby for questions.
Dedicate a Zone
Choose a compact zone for homework—our kitchen desk is small but functional. It keeps schoolwork centralized and helps avoid sticky spills and scattered papers on dining surfaces.
Make Paperwork a Priority
Paper is the biggest clutter culprit. Create a “home” for each child’s paperwork with labeled folders or magazine file holders. Use baskets or boxes for shared office supplies, chargers, and receipts. A simple label maker and a set of labeled trays or baskets can dramatically reduce countertop clutter.
Homework Station Essentials:
Key items: magazine file holders or labeled folders for each child, baskets for supplies and chargers, a paper tray for incoming mail and school papers, a comfortable chair, and a small plant or decorative item to make the space inviting.
Keep a tissue box handy for the happy and sad back-to-school moments!
When YOU are organizing your home, where should YOU start?
Even if your whole house feels messy, pick the three areas that will make the biggest difference for your current season—whether that’s back-to-school, holiday prep, or a fresh new year. You might choose three rooms, three closets, or three junk drawers. Start small, make visible progress, and build momentum.
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I hope these practical tips help you figure out where to begin. The most important step is starting—once you clear a few key spots, the rest will feel much more manageable. Good luck and happy organizing!