It may feel like summer has just begun, but in a few weeks, it’ll be time to go school supplies shopping and prepare for the first day back in the classroom. In order to make your family’s transition back to reality a bit more seamless, it’s worth talking some time now to get your home and children’s spaces into order by doing some decluttering. Here, local DMV organizing pros share five different back-to-school-related projects they’d recommend you take on this August.
Sort Through Old School Supplies
Before you check items off of this year’s back-to-school shopping list, take the time to go through your child’s existing school supplies. “Toss or donate old notebooks, broken tools, and partially used art/craft items that aren’t usable anymore,” says Lavender Menakaya, the founder of Lavender Organizes.
Prep the Bathroom
It’ll be much easier to get everyone ready bright and early each morning when the bathroom is prepped for optimal AM success. “Empty cabinets and drawers, discard expired products, and only keep the items your family uses,” suggests Kelly Tait, the founder of Bee Organized Northern Virginia. “Organizing toothbrushes, hair accessories, toiletries, and other daily essentials within easy reach helps everyone get out the door faster and calmer.”
Evaluate Your Child’s Wardrobe
Children, especially younger ones, are growing rapidly, and their clothes tend to show lots of wear and tear. As such, you’ll want to be sure to give your kids’ wardrobes an overhaul before school starts. “Sort into keep, donate, throw piles before the season starts, focusing on items that actually fit and get worn,” Menakaya advises.
Of course, keep in mind that as kids’ sizes change frequently, you’ll be going through their closets multiple times per year. “One of my favorite organizing tips is to keep a donation box in every family member’s closet,” says Gillian Economou, the founder of Sort It Out. “Throughout the year, whenever someone tries on something that's too small or no longer worn, it can go directly into the donation box.”
Additionally, be sure to drop off any donations as soon as you can rather than letting Goodwill bags pile up within your home for weeks on end.
Get the Entryway Ready
You don't want your home to become overtaken by school-related gear the minute September hits. “If your child has a cubby or locker in your mudroom, clean it out together so it’s ready for backpacks, lunchboxes, and sports gear,” Economou says.
Clean out Backpacks
Speaking of backpacks, your child’s backpack is still stuffed with items from the previous school year; it’s about time to get it organized! “Sort through all of the papers, save your child’s favorite projects or artwork, and recycle the rest,” offers Cris Sgrott, the founder of Organizing Maniacs. “Don’t forget to check all the pockets for the mystery treasures that accumulated throughout the year.”
While tucking away artwork and papers from last year, be sure to allow room for soon-to-be incoming masterpieces, notes Jaime Hecht, the founder of Aunt Jaime Organizes. “Making room and planning for that in advance can take the stress out of finding homes for new stuff,” she says.
For each of her children, Economou has a box where she stores special pieces of artwork, report cards, and more. “Having a designated place makes it much easier to preserve the memories without holding onto every piece of paper that comes home,” she explains.
About the Author
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Follow her on Instagram @sarahlyon9.
