The new school year has started and for parents and kids, the transition can be tough, especially when it comes to new schedules, homework, after-school activities, sports practices, and simply keeping your home organized.
We are all about making things easier and it starts by giving everything its own place. Setting up designated spaces for storage and certain tasks in your home will make the transition into the school year a little smoother.
Drop Zone
If you are building a home from the start, it’s a great idea to consider a drop zone with cabinets and countertops near the rear entry door (usually the garage entry). Adding lockers to a rear foyer can keep backpacks and coats hung and provide storage underneath for shoes or sports equipment bags. Adding a message center with a corkboard and whiteboard calendar can ensure everyone can see the household calendar and important messages can be shared.
If you are in an existing home, it’s easy to create your own drop zone by adding a hook and a hanging basket for each family member to keep their coats, bags, and other belongings together. Another added touch is having a small bench or a cute table and chair to sit on while putting on shoes.
Charging Zone
With the amount of electronics everyone has today, it’s a given that you’ll need plenty of outlets and chargers. Creating a charging zone helps keep the cords and chaos under control. A designated area to charge your electronic devices can be quite beneficial, whether a stylish wooden charging station in your drop zone or a simple assigned space on your kitchen counter. Not only does it prevent chargers from being misplaced or scattered around the house, but it can also help parents have more control over their children’s device usage. Assign each family member their own washi tape color or pattern and add a ring of tape around charger cords to help identify and avoid conflict.
Snack Station
The kitchen pantry can quickly become an eyesore, with kids rummaging through it for an after-school snack. Creating a snack zone that allows kids to easily grab their own snacks will keep them out of the pantry and prevent messes.
Thanks to recent TikTok trends, acrylic and plastic bins for organizing the panty have grown in popularity. These clear bins help designate kids’ food and make packing lunches a breeze. Taking food out of its original packaging and arranging it in bins lets everyone easily see what is available and allows you to group snacks and other essentials together. They are also convenient for keeping track of your ‘inventory’ so there are no more empty boxes of fruit snacks on the shelf.
The beginning weeks of the school year, whether kindergarten or high school, can be challenging for families to stay organized, but with a little planning, you’ll be well on your way to an A+ school year.