Great Ideas for Organizing Your Home This Fall

1. Create a Command Center

The start of the school year often brings a flurry of activities, from after-school sports to homework assignments and family events. A family command center is an ideal way to keep everyone on track.

What You’ll Need:

• A wall calendar or digital planner.
• Whiteboards or chalkboards for notes and reminders.
• File organizers for important documents (permission slips, bills, etc.).
• Hooks for keys and backpacks.

Why It Works: A command center consolidates all your essential information in one spot, making it easier for everyone to stay organized. Customize it to suit your family’s needs, whether it’s adding a weekly meal planner or chore chart.

2. Declutter Closets and Entryways

With the new school year comes new clothes, shoes, and backpacks. Decluttering closets and entryways is essential to ensure that everything has a place and that the morning rush is as smooth as possible.

What You’ll Need:

• Storage bins or baskets.
• Shoe racks or boot trays.
• Hangers for jackets and coats.
• Label maker (optional).

Why It Works: Organizing your closets and entryways means you’ll know exactly where everything is when you need it. Consider rotating seasonal clothing and storing summer items in bins to make room for fall and winter gear.

3. Set Up a Homework Station

Creating a dedicated homework station can help your child focus and be more productive. This area should be free from distractions and equipped with everything they need to complete their assignments.

What You’ll Need:

• A desk or table in a quiet area.
• Comfortable seating.
• Organizers for school supplies (pencils, pens, paper, etc.).
• Good lighting.
  

Why It Works: A homework station provides a consistent, distraction-free environment for your child to study. It can also help establish a routine, making it easier for them to transition from school to homework time.

4. Organize the Kitchen for Quick Meals

With busy school nights, having an organized kitchen is crucial. Streamlining your pantry, fridge, and meal prep areas can save you time and stress when it comes to dinner.

What You’ll Need:

• Clear containers for pantry items.
• A meal planning board or app.
• Drawer organizers for utensils and tools.
• A dedicated space for lunch packing.

Why It Works: An organized kitchen makes meal prep faster and more efficient. Plan and prep meals in advance, and consider packing lunches the night before to save time in the morning.

5. Establish a Paperwork System

The start of the school year brings an influx of paperwork—permission slips, school newsletters, homework assignments, and more. Creating a system to manage this paperwork will help you stay organized and avoid the dreaded pile of papers on the kitchen counter.

What You’ll Need:

• File folders or accordion files.
• A shredder for unneeded documents.
• A designated area for incoming and outgoing mail.
• A scanner for digitizing important documents.

Why It Works: By setting up a paperwork system, you can easily keep track of important documents and reduce clutter. Make it a habit to go through papers regularly, filing or discarding them as needed.

Getting your home organized for the school year doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These five projects will help you create a more functional, efficient living space, allowing your family to focus on what’s most important. Start with one or two projects and build from there—you’ll be amazed at how much smoother your daily routines become with a bit of fall organization.