Back to School Organizing Tips & Products to Start the Year Smoothly
Back to school & home Organization Tips & Product Recommendations from Certified Professional Organizers®
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links. We only recommend products we personally use and confidently recommend to our clients. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission—at no additional cost to you.
As summer winds down and a new school year approaches, many families are juggling a lot: shifting routines, school supply lists, and the transition back to early mornings and after-school activities. Whether your kids are heading to school or you're prepping a homeschool space, now is the perfect time to reset your systems — and start the year with more ease, less stress, and a little extra breathing room.
As Certified Professional Organizers®, we know that getting organized for back-to-school season isn’t just about pretty bins — it’s about building systems that actually work for your family. Here's how we help our clients create smoother mornings and calmer afternoons with smart, sustainable organizing solutions.
Set the Tone with a Central Family Calendar
The first step in any back to school organizing plan? A family calendar that works for everyone. Our top pick: the Skylight Calendar. This digital display syncs with your existing calendar (Google, Apple, etc.), so everyone can see what’s coming up at a glance — whether it’s soccer practice, early release days, or school picture day.
We love setting up a “Back-to-School Countdown” on the Skylight — a visual reminder of upcoming events, prep tasks, and first-day milestones. Hang it in your kitchen or mudroom and use it as a daily touchpoint for the whole family.
Refresh Your Mudroom or Drop Zone
When backpacks, shoes, and lunchboxes have a home, mornings run more smoothly. Whether it’s a formal mudroom or a corner by the front door, designate a clear “drop zone” for each child.
We often recommend the following favorites to clients:
Our Product Picks:
Label Clips & Acrylic Label Tags for baskets - perfect for marking individual baskets or cubbies
2. Shoe Organizer for entryway or garage
3. Large Baskets for Shoe Storage - grab one for each kid
Create an Organized Study Space
Even if you don’t have a dedicated room for schoolwork, a small, intentional setup can go a long way in helping kids focus.
We love creating mini homework stations with:
Rolling Supply Cart - easy to move and great for storing art or school supplies
2. Organizer Caddy : keep essentials visible and within reach
3. Desktop File Organizer - perfect for managing worksheets, folders, and workbooks
Prep the Pantry + Fridge for Lunch Packing
Lunch prep doesn’t have to be chaotic. By zoning your pantry and fridge with clear systems, you can make mornings easier and encourage kids to help pack their own meals.
Some of our favorite solutions:
Bamboo Drawer Dividers - create custom snack drawers that keep categories separated. Be sure to measure your drawers for depth and length so you purchase the correct sizes.
2. Clear Acrylic Dividers - another great option for an easy grab and go snack station or drawer
3. Bamboo Food Storage Bag Holders - a simple way to make packing sandwiches and snacks easier
4.Water Bottle Organizer - saves space and keeps bottles from tipping over
Don’t Forget: Florida’s Tax-Free Week
If you're shopping in Florida, be sure to take advantage of the Back-to-School Tax-Free Holiday which is now a full month from August 1st - August 31st. It's a great time to stock up on supplies, bins, organizing tools, and even bigger items like the Skylight Calendar. We recommend adding it to your family calendar now so you don't miss the window!
Ready to Start Fresh?
Back-to-school organizing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right tools and a few thoughtful systems in place, you can ease the mental load and set your family up for success — one backpack, bin, and calendar event at a time.
Need help getting started? You can book a virtual consult with our team or shop our curated Back-to-School Favorites section to find the exact tools we use in our own homes.
Curious about working with a professional organizer? Learn more about our full-service offerings and how we can help simplify your home — from entryways and mudrooms to homeschool rooms and family offices.
Let’s make this school year your most organized one yet.
