Two matching Hot Wheels backpacks hang from a peg board waiting organized and ready for back-to-school

Summer’s winding down, and that means one thing: the chaos of back-to-school season is right around the corner. Getting organized now can make the transition feel less like a mad dash and more like a smooth step into a new season.

As a professional organizer, I’ve seen firsthand how a little prep now can save a lot of stress later. So let’s walk through how to get ahead of the game—with tips that are practical, doable, and maybe even a little fun.

1. Reset the Home Base: Declutter & Refresh Shared Spaces

Before new supplies, schedules, and sports gear take over, take some time to declutter high-traffic zones like:

Mudrooms or entryways
Clear out last year’s shoes that don’t fit, broken umbrellas, and that random soccer cleat with no match.
Homework stations
Toss dried-out markers, broken crayons, and last semester’s school papers. Restock the essentials: sharpened pencils, glue sticks, scissors, paper, etc.
Closets and dressers
Go through clothes with your child (or solo if that’s easier). Donate what doesn’t fit and make a shopping list for what’s missing—think school-appropriate layers, sneakers that actually fit, or uniforms if needed.

Pro Tip: Keep a "too small" basket in the closet year-round. When something no longer fits, toss it in. Donate monthly!

An all-white mudroom tucked next to a set of stairs. It's organized with baskets and hooks.

2. Set Up a Paper Flow System

Permission slips, field trip forms, and endless fliers will start coming home the first week. Save your sanity with a simple system for managing incoming school papers:

Create an "Inbox" tray for each child (or one shared bin for younger kids). This is where all school papers go until you sort them.
Use a file folder or magazine holder to store important school documents like class schedules, school calendars, lunch menus, and login info for online portals.
Make a decision station: Add a labeled tray for "To Sign," "To Return," and "To Keep" to streamline your weeknight paper shuffle.

Pro Tip: Take a photo of important papers and store them in a digital album labeled “School 2025–26” in your phone for easy access on the go.

a messy stack of papers and folders that need a paper organization system

3. Organize the Backpack & Lunch Station Now

Avoid the week-one scramble by getting your backpack and lunch prep area ready now.

Backpack Zone:
Choose a dedicated spot (hook, cubby, or bench) where backpacks stay during the school year.
Lunch Station:
Set up a drawer or bin with reusable containers, water bottles, lunchboxes, napkins, and non-perishable lunchbox snacks.
Label Everything:
Water bottles, hoodies, lunch bags, calculators—you name it. Invest in durable, waterproof labels or a clothing stamp so lost-and-found doesn’t become your second home.

Two black bins labeled "Grab & Go" filled with neat rows of snack pouches and chip bags.

4. Build a Family Calendar Hub

Between school picture day, sports tryouts, early outs, and PTO meetings, it’s easy for things to fall through the cracks. Get ahead of the chaos by setting up a shared family calendar now.

Options:

A giant wall calendar in a central area (kitchen or mudroom)
A whiteboard monthly calendar
A digital shared calendar like Skylight or Google Calendar with color-coded entries

Include:

School holidays and early dismissals
Practice/game schedules
Library days or show-and-tell rotations
Parent-teacher nights and school events
Carpool or pickup assignments

A mudroom family command center featuring a huge glass whiteboard calendar, magazine holders for paper organization, and bins for keys, sunglasses and more,

5. Reboot Routines Gradually

It’s tempting to hold on to summer's slower mornings and late bedtimes, but making a hard pivot the night before school starts never goes well. Ease back in starting now.

Adjust bedtime in 15-minute increments every few days.
Start waking up earlier so mornings don’t feel like a shock.
Practice the morning routine: Lay out clothes, pack a pretend lunch, and do a dry run of getting out the door.

For younger kids especially, visual checklists for morning and bedtime routines can help them build independence.

6. Stock Up—Without Overbuying

If you’ve ever waited until the last week of summer to shop for school supplies, you know the shelves are picked clean. But buying too much too soon can leave you with extras you don’t need.

Use your school supply list as your guide, and check your home stash before buying.
Create a school supply station (drawer, bin, or caddy) with overflow supplies your child can access as needed.

7. Make a Launch Pad for Smooth Mornings

Designate a space near the door with everything needed for getting out the door fast:

Backpack
Lunch bag
Water bottle
Jacket or weather-appropriate gear
Sports bag or musical instrument

Encourage your kids to set this up the night before so mornings are streamlined and arguments are minimized.

A mudroom that is ready with book bags, jackets, and accessories.

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Stay Consistent

You don’t need to do everything at once. Choose one or two areas to start with this week, and build from there. Even a few simple systems can reduce stress and make your whole household feel more in control as the school year kicks off.

And remember—if it still feels overwhelming, you don’t have to go it alone. A professional organizer can help you set up spaces and routines that actually work for your family and lifestyle.

Happy organizing—and cheers to a calmer, more confident start to the school year!

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How to Get Ready Now for Back-to-School: A Professional Organizer’s Guide to a Smoother Start