Back-to-School Home Organization: Designer Tips for a Smoother School Year
- Katie Walker
- Jul 16
- 7 min read
Designer Tips for Home Organization
As summer winds down and a new school year approaches, many families begin preparing schedules, shopping for supplies, and coordinating activities. While most back-to-school checklists focus on what happens outside the home, one of the most impactful preparations happens inside it.
A thoughtful home reset can help mornings run more smoothly, reduce daily stress, and create spaces that better support work, study, and family life.
At Slate Studios, we believe home organization is about more than simply putting things away. Thoughtful organization supports the way you live, helping your home feel more peaceful, efficient, and beautifully designed.
In truth, the most important start of any home design, renovation, or new construction project is decluttering. It's not glamorous, but it is the secret sauce to setting yourself up for success!
If you're ready to refresh your space, these designer-approved back-to-school home organization tips can help you create a home that feels lighter, more intentional, and easier to maintain.
Quick Organization Tips from Designers
If you’re looking for a simple way to start organizing your home before the upcoming school year, focus on these key steps:
Start with intentional decluttering before adding storage
Create storage systems that match your daily routines
Organize entryways and drop zones to reduce clutter buildup
Choose storage solutions that complement your interior design
Focus on high-use spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and offices first
Let spring light guide your home refresh and simplify surfaces
These small changes can quickly make your home feel lighter, more functional, and easier to maintain.
Intentional Decluttering
Before introducing new storage solutions, start by decluttering and simplifying what you already have. You don't necessarily have to have fewer possessions, but I would encourage you to be intentional about what you choose to keep. When your home contains items that are useful, meaningful, or beautiful, life starts to feel less chaotic.
If you haven’t used something in the past year, it may be time to donate or remove it.
This exercise can be particularly challenging with multiple family members or children, but it's an important one. First, walk through each room and identify items that no longer serve a purpose or add value to your space.
Decide which items to trash, donate, or sell. The Salvation Army offers pick up for most donations, and Facebook marketplace is a great way to make some extra cash for items in good condition.
Reducing visual clutter immediately creates a calmer and more organized environment.
Whether you're inspired by the Danish concept of hygge or minimalism, both philosophies share a common principle that I often consider in my own home, making room for what matters most. Decluttering isn't about perfection, it's about creating space for comfort, function, and everyday living.
Create Functional Storage Systems
One of the biggest challenges homeowners face is maintaining organization long-term. The key is creating storage systems that are easy to use and align with daily routines.
Consider simple solutions like:
Drawer organizers for kitchens and bathrooms
These come in whole drawer organizers, and also individual trays so you can adjust based on the storage solution needed in the drawer
Baskets for blankets, toys, and living room items
Don't underestimate the power of a simple floor basket! They make everything look more tidy
Labeled bins for pantry and closet storage
By storing pantry staples such as rice, pasta, and baking supplies in stackable bins, you maximize space
Closet organizers
If you can't splurge for a custom closet, hanging closet organizers and shoe organizers are a great way to add extra storage
When every item has a designated place, it becomes much easier to keep your home organized. Investing in a home organizer is a great way to set yourself up for success.
For me, the hardest part of staying organized is getting my family to adopt it as well. Make it easy to follow, and stay consistent, and soon enough, people may actually know where things are instead of having to constantly ask where to find things!
Refresh Entryways and Everyday Drop Zone
Entryways are one of the most high-traffic areas in any home, which also makes them one of the easiest places for clutter to accumulate.
Creating a designated drop zone can help streamline daily routines while keeping the space visually tidy.
Simple additions such as:
Wall hooks for bags and jackets
Decorative trays for keys and mail
Shoe baskets or storage benches
The entry or mudroom is also the perfect place for a back-to-school command center. Find ways to store everyday school items so they are easy to find. Use hooks, baskets, or a ledge with a shelf to corral:
Backpacks
Lunchboxes
Sports Gear
Permission slips
Charging Stations
These tricks can help you transform a cluttered entryway into a welcoming and organized space.
Create a Family Command Center
Image credit: Caroline Stenson Interiors
Instantly reduce back-to-school stress by creating a dedicated family command center.
Think of it as the operational hub of your home, a centralized location where schedules, paperwork, and everyday essentials live. When everyone knows where to find information, mornings become smoother and fewer details slip through the cracks.
A family command center doesn't need to be elaborate. It can be as simple as a section of your kitchen, mudroom, or home office designed to support your family's daily routines.
Consider including:
A shared family calendar
School and activity schedules
Permission slips and important paperwork
A mail sorting system
A charging station for phones and tablets
A basket or file organizer for each family member
The best command centers are both functional and visually integrated into the home. Rather than creating another area of clutter, choose storage solutions and organizational tools that complement your interior design style.
Prioritize the Spaces Your Family Uses Most
If you're anything like me, a decluttering project can quickly spiral out of control. One minute you're cleaning out a bathroom cabinet, and the next you've emptied an entire closet on the other side of the house before finishing what you started.
A word of caution: this is exactly what not to do.
For the sake of your sanity, focus on one area at a time. Completing a space before moving on not only prevents overwhelm, but also gives you the motivation to keep going.
Certain areas of the home naturally collect more clutter than others. Kitchens, bathrooms, home offices, and family gathering spaces see the most daily activity and often benefit the most from thoughtful organization.
As your family prepares for the school year ahead, consider prioritizing these high-use spaces:
Kitchen and breakfast areas
Homework and study spaces
Mudrooms and entryways
Laundry rooms
Children's bedrooms
Family calendars and command centers
Start by simplifying surfaces, identifying the items you use most often, and setting aside things that are rarely needed. Frequently used items should be easy to access, while seasonal or occasional items can be stored out of the way.
The goal isn't perfection, it's to create systems that make everyday routines easier.
A well-organized pantry, streamlined bathroom counter, dedicated homework station, or thoughtfully planned family command center can help mornings run more smoothly and reduce stress throughout the week.
Choose Storage That Enhances Your Interior Design
Organization doesn't have to look utilitarian. In well-designed homes, storage solutions often double as beautiful design elements.
Look for pieces that complement your home’s aesthetic and your personal style, such as:
Woven baskets for natural texture
Clear acrylic containers for a more sleek and modern look
Decorative trays for countertops and coffee tables
Ceramic containers for small items
Decorative storage boxes for shelves
Depending on your aesthetic, you can find modern and organic solutions such as handmade bowls and hand-woven baskets, or for more traditional decor lacquered storage boxes or brass trays would be a beautiful addition. When organization blends seamlessly with your interior design, your home feels both polished and functional.
Back-to-School Home Orangization FAQ's
What is the best way to prepare your home for back-to-school season?
The best place to start is with a thorough decluttering session. Focus on removing items you no longer use before introducing new storage solutions. Once you've simplified your spaces, create systems that support your family's routines, such as designated drop zones, homework areas, and a family command center.
What spaces should I organize before school starts?
Prioritize the areas your family uses most often, including kitchens, breakfast areas, mudrooms, entryways, homework stations, laundry rooms, and children's bedrooms. Organizing these high-traffic spaces can help reduce stress and make daily routines run more smoothly.
What is a family command center?
A family command center is a centralized space where schedules, school paperwork, activity calendars, mail, and other important information are organized. Whether located in a kitchen, mudroom, or home office, a command center helps families stay connected and prepared throughout the school year.
How do interior designers create organized homes?
Interior designers focus on creating functional spaces that support everyday living. Rather than simply adding storage, they consider how a family uses each room and develop systems that are both beautiful and practical. This often includes thoughtful space planning, customized storage solutions, and designated areas for frequently used items.
How can I keep my home organized during the school year?
The key is creating simple systems that are easy for every family member to maintain. Designating a place for backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes, paperwork, and daily essentials can help prevent clutter from accumulating and make it easier to stay organized throughout the year.
Create a Home that Supports Everyday Living
At Slate Studios, we believe great design starts with understanding how a home functions day-to-day. Back-to-school season is the perfect reminder that our homes should support our routines, not complicate them.
Whether you're organizing a drop zone, refreshing a homework station, or simply decluttering one room at a time, thoughtful changes can have a lasting impact on how your family experiences home.
Because the most successful interiors aren't just beautiful, they make everyday life easier.
Remember, organization doesn’t happen overnight. Start with one drawer, one cabinet, or one room at a time. Small, thoughtful changes can create meaningful transformation throughout your home.
When your spaces are simplified and intentional, your home begins to support your daily routines in a way that feels effortless.
And that is the true foundation of great design.
If you're planning a renovation, new build, or furnishing project, our team would love to help you create a home that supports your lifestyle while reflecting your unique aesthetic. From space planning and storage solutions to full-service interior design, we thoughtfully consider how every room functions so your home works as beautifully as it looks.
Ready to begin your next project? We'd love to connect.
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