The first weeks of a new school year can feel exciting… and a little hectic. Between new schedules, paperwork, and sports practices, it’s easy for mornings to feel rushed and afternoons to get swallowed by chaos.
That’s why I’ve teamed up with Julianna from Your Functional Space — a home organizer serving southern Maine who helps families create systems that keep life running smoothly — to share practical ways to get organized now so you can start the school year feeling calm and in control.
Add Everything to Your Calendar Now
Don’t wait until the first week of school to figure out what’s coming. As soon as you have them, add these dates and times to your personal calendar:
- School drop-off and pick-up times
- Back-to-school night
- Fall sports practices and games
- Early release days
- Teacher in-service days
💡 Parent Approved Tip: Set reminders a few days ahead for special events so nothing sneaks up on you.
Create a Family Command Center
Your family’s “headquarters” can make all the difference in keeping everyone on track. Try including:
- A large wall calendar for family events and activities
- Folders for schoolwork, permission slips, and forms
- A whiteboard or memo board for notes, reminders, and morning routines or chore charts
“When everything your family needs is in one central place,” Julianna says, “it reduces the number of ‘Where is it?’ questions and keeps mornings moving.”
Set Up a Functional Drop Zone
The drop zone — an entryway, mudroom, or front closet — is where your family’s daily transitions happen. A well-organized one can help establish routines and build kids’ independence.
💡 Julianna’s advice: Start with a blank slate. Pull everything out and only put back what serves the space’s purpose. In her own home, an 8-cube organizer and closet hold coats, bags, and a “lost and found” section. Each child has bins for socks and shoes, and for hats and sweatshirts. She and her husband use the remaining bins for personal items, seasonal essentials, and even a pain-management bin. On top, there’s a tray of sunscreen, a hair basket, and the diaper bag — all within easy reach.
“A place for things to belong helps create that order and routine that can last a lifetime,” she says.
Organize Your Pantry for Easy Lunch Packing
Make lunch-packing a breeze by setting up a dedicated section in your pantry and fridge for school snacks and lunchbox staples. Group items by type (snacks, fruits, proteins) so kids can help pack their own lunches.
“One way to have a more functional pantry in preparation for back to school,” Julianna says, “is to bin up the items that are used together and infrequently — like baking ingredients or pasta and sauces — and store them up high. Pull them down only when you need them, and keep daily meals and snacks within easy reach.”
She also suggests decluttering the kitchen before the year begins, especially spaces tied to daily routines like lunch-packing. “Anything we’re doing daily, we want to make as efficient as possible.”
Declutter Before You Organize
Bins and baskets are great, but they can only do so much if you’re storing things your family doesn’t actually need. Before the school year starts:
- Donate or toss clothes that no longer fit
- Clear out toys or gear your kids have outgrown
- Purge expired pantry and fridge items
Julianna’s process for overwhelmed families? “Go room by room and first remove trash, dishes, and laundry — but don’t do them yet, just set them near where they belong. Then return items to their home. What’s left is where the magic of decluttering and organizing happens!”
About Your Functional Space
Julianna helps busy families transform cluttered, overwhelming areas into calm, functional spaces. From designing family command centers to tackling whole-home decluttering projects, she creates personalized systems that fit your lifestyle.
If back-to-school season has you feeling overwhelmed, Julianna can help you set up a home that works for you — not against you. Learn more and schedule your home organizing session at yourfunctionalspace.com.
Ready to Start the School Year Stress-Free?
With a little planning and some functional systems in place, you can step into the school year feeling organized and confident — instead of rushed and reactive.
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