Back-to-School Made Easy: 7 Systems That Work

Back-to-school season always sneaks up on us.

One minute you’re enjoying popsicles and vacuuming sand out of your car, and the next you’re knee-deep in school supply lists, waking up to blaring alarms, and figuring out if last year’s shoes still fit (spoiler: they don’t!).

I used to dread this season. All the prep, the clutter, the chaotic mornings. But over the years—and after helping hundreds of families reset their homes—I’ve learned something important:

Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to chaos.

With a few intentional systems in place, your home can actually support the rhythms of the school year. It can calm the morning rush, make space for connection, and help your whole family feel a little more grounded.

Here’s exactly how we help clients across Bellingham and Seattle get their homes (and minds) back on track before that first-day bell rings.

Let’s dive in!

1. Set Your Entryway Up for Success

The entryway is where it all begins—and ends. If you don’t have a solid system here, you’ll feel it every single morning.

Start by creating a “launch pad” for each family member:

• Wall hooks for backpacks, jackets, and lunch bags

• Bins or cubbies for shoes

• A labeled “Return Bin” for library books, signed forms, or anything that needs to go back out the door

PNW Tip: Add a boot tray or washable mat to your entryway. Muddy shoes and wet floors are basically a given around here, especially in the fall.

This setup simplifies busy mornings and helps everyone (even the little ones!) know where their essentials live.

2. Create a Paper System That Keeps the Counter Clear

If you’ve ever opened a backpack only to find crumpled forms and half-done homework, you know how quickly school papers pile up.

Here’s the system we set up for nearly every family:

• Inbox Tray – All school papers go here first. Permission slips, newsletters, artwork, everything. One drop zone keeps it simple for your kids (and keeps the counters clear!).

• To-Do Bin – Check the Inbox Tray at the end of each day for anything that needs your attention (signing, scheduling, or reviewing), and put it in your “To-Do” Bin.

• To-File Bin – If the Inbox Tray contains anything you want to add to their Keepsake Bin (special artwork, report cards, etc.), add them to this “To File” Bin so you know which items need to be filed away for safe keeping.

To create a physical limitation to how much schoolwork and artwork can reasonably be stored, each of my kids has their own Keepsake Bin, with folders sorted by grade level. Throughout the year, I file away things that might be worth saving, and at the end of the school year, we go through it together and narrow it down to 20–30 items THEY want to keep (yes, it’s okay to recycle the rest).

You can find our DIY Kits in our Etsy Shop, which I pair with these basic plastic filing bins you can buy from Amazon and these hanging files.

3. Declutter Closets Before the First Day Hits

There’s nothing worse than starting a new routine with a closet full of clothes your kid has outgrown—or refuses to wear.

Before the school year starts, take 30 minutes to:

• Clear out anything too small, itchy, or worn-out

• Sort by color and season

• Set up labeled bins or drawer dividers to make independent dressing easier

We also recommend adding “Too Big” and “Too Small” bins right into their closet. It makes it easy to rotate clothes throughout the year without letting the clutter build.

4. Simplify Lunch Packing

If you’re still packing lunches in a fog at 6 a.m., it’s time for a new system.

We recommend:

• A dedicated drawer or cabinet with water bottles, bento boxes, and sandwich bags

• A fridge bin with grab-and-go items: fruit, cheese sticks, yogurt, etc.

• A pantry basket stocked with snacks they can choose from each week

Once everything’s in place, lunch-making becomes a shared task. Older kids can pack their own (or at least get halfway there), and you get back some much-needed mental space in the mornings. It’s a win for independence and your sanity!

5. Give School Supplies a Home

That random glue stick floating around the kitchen isn’t doing anyone any favors.

Here are a few systems we love:

• A portable utility cart with crayons, scissors, paper, notebooks, and a few extra essentials. This can easily move to wherever your kiddo is working—whether it’s homework time or you’re an everyday homeschool family!

• A central supply caddy if your kids are all doing homework at the kitchen table

• Clear multipurpose bins for things like coloring books, sticker pads, and flashcards—organized vertically by category

Keeping school supplies organized might seem like a small task, but it can help everyone keep a clear mind when you’re starting to get into the groove of school again.

6. Reset Their Room for Sleep, Focus & Calm

A cluttered room makes for overstimulated kids. And overstimulated kids… well, you know. When kids feel overwhelmed in their space, it shows up in everything from sleep to schoolwork.

We always recommend a seasonal reset before the school year starts:

• Rotate books and toys

• Simplify shelves and surfaces

• Create a small nook (even if it’s just a cozy corner) for reading and quiet time

• Clear nightstands of anything overstimulating—toys, electronics, half opened snacks

This reset is especially helpful for sensitive sleepers or neurodivergent kids who thrive in calm, structured environments.

7. Give Yourself a System, Too

Your mornings matter just as much—and when your own systems are scattered, everything else feels harder.

We always recommend setting up:

• A command center with your calendar, incoming mail, etc.

• A drop zone for your keys, bag, sunglasses, and whatever else tends to wander

• A coffee or tea station that makes early mornings easier

When your home works for you, it overflows to the rest of your family!

A Calm, Organized Start Is Closer Than You Think

Here’s what I know: when your systems are simple and sustainable, everything else feels easier.

And that’s exactly what we all need this time of year!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with back to school season, you’re not alone. This time of year can be stressful for the whole family, but just remember, the goal is to create functional systems that work for YOUR family, no matter what that looks like.

And if you’re local to Bellingham, Seattle, or their surrounding areas, we’d love to help make this school year feel manageable for you!

Book your complimentary consultation with our team today!