5 Quick Ways to Declutter Your Home Before School Starts

Summer is waning and that means a new school year is just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare your home for the school year ahead.

Back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind—new routines, busy mornings, and an endless stream of papers and lunchboxes. But a few simple decluttering wins now can make a big difference in how calm and prepared your home feels.

You don’t need a weekend-long purge to feel more organized. These five quick decluttering tasks will help you reset your space and start the school year with less stress and more breathing room.

1. Clear the Drop Zone

Whether it's a mudroom, entryway, or just a corner near the door, your "drop zone" is the first place stuff piles up—and the first place to declutter.

 Try this:

• Remove last year’s shoes, outgrown jackets, and stray items.
• Remove anything not needed for day-to-day use.
• Add hooks or baskets to keep this area functional.
• Label spots for each child if you can—this gives creates a zone for everyone to keep their items.

Click here to checkout a reel about drop zones.

2. Simplify the Lunchbox Prep

Pantries and kitchen drawers can become cluttered with half-used boxes and expired snacks, old plastic containers, and lunchboxes.

Quick fix:

• Toss anything that is expired or that no one is eating.
• Corral lunchbox items into bins labeled snacks, drinks, and grab & go.
• Toss lunchbox items that are no longer functional, are missing a lid, or your child has outgrown.
• Keep a basket for lunchbox supplies like napkins, utensils, and sandwich bags.

3. Tackle Last Year’s Backpack (if you haven’t already)

Are backpacks still full of last year’s crumpled papers and mystery crumbs? Time for a reset.

Do this:

• Empty each backpack completely.
• Toss anything that is unnecessary, save anything important.
• Gather school supplies which can be reused and prepare them for the coming school year.
• Wash last year's bag to prepare for a clean start.
• Designate a daily backpack spot—on a hook, bench, or inside a cubby (think drop zone)

4. Sort the Closet (only what’s necessary - if doing it all is overwhelming)

You don’t need to overhaul the whole wardrobe—but it is a good time to weed out what no longer fits or has seen it’s better day and is ready to retire!.

Easy step:

• Have your kids try on 3–5 things each: jeans, shoes, and outerwear.
• Create a quick donate pile.
• Group uniforms or go-to outfits in one easy-to-grab section.
• While working through this space, take inventory of what is left after decluttering and what you need to purchase.

5. Reset the Command Center

School = paper overload. Having a system ahead of time helps prevent paper chaos later.

Actionable tip:

• Set up one tray or folder for each child (or one labeled to sign, to file, etc.)
• Keep it somewhere central, like the kitchen counter, home office, or near the entryway.
• Add a small trash bin or shredder nearby for quick clean-up.

Click here to view a reel about command centers.

Remember:

You don’t have to declutter your whole house before school starts. Focus on the spots that impact your daily routine—and give yourself permission to keep it simple. A few small wins now can lead to smoother mornings, calmer evenings, and a more peaceful start to the year.

Want help?
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