35 Back-to-School Organization Ideas for a Stress-Free School Year
Students and parents, you've got to try these clever organization hacks.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
After a relaxing summer filled with pool days, outdoor playdates and backyard barbecues, the stress of another school year starts to creep in. The coming weeks will start to feel like a whirlwind of to-do lists and schedule planning — think shopping for new school supplies, coordinating school pick-ups and getting the house ready for stress-free mornings. Before you panic, a little preparation can go a long way.
CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR BACK-TO-SCHOOL IDEAS
These back-to-school organization ideas will get the entire family ready for the 2025-2026 school year, whether you have elementary school children, middle schoolers, high school teens or college students preparing for dorm life. Plus, we've included tips to keep parents sane — think setting up a command center, designating a homework station and making a chore chart. You'll also spot advice for organizing the pantry to streamline meal times and after-school snacks as well as closet organization ideas that will encourage young kids to dress themselves.
Organize school supplies.
From colored pencils, crayons and markers to popsicle sticks and scissors, find an easy way to coral school supplies. Buy an organizer or make your own, like blogger See Vanessa Craft does with a wicker tray and set of mason jars.
Set up a kids' cupboard.
Dedicate an area of the pantry to everything you and the kids need each morning — from cereal to lunch boxes and snacks they eat on the regular. Stylist Emily Bowser and designer Emily Henderson suggest a cabinet or cupboard that's low and easy to access.
DIY a homework caddy.
A homework caddy just for your kids' daily essentials will help them tackle their assignments without question. Here, Alice & Lois uses a wooden crate with simple plastic cups inside to stow writing tools.
This hanging organizer allows you to set out your kids' outfits for the entire week, saving you time (and stress!) each morning. There's even a pocket to organize items for the weekend.
Make a chore chort.
Weekdays can be hectic. Keep your kids on task by making a chore chart — ideally a magnetic design for the fridge. The Handmade Home makes decorative magnets with watercolor, which kids can move around once they complete a chore.
Use rolling carts to corral supplies.
From cleaning supplies (everything they need to complete their chore list) to arts and crafts, a rolling cart is the perfect way to store everyday items. Roll the cart into a hall closet when you're not using it, like Emily Bowser does here.
Create a command center.
Turn an unused wall into a stylish family command center like Erin Wheeler, founder of Sunny Circle Studio, did in this space. Install an acrylic wall calendar to keep track of appointments and after-school activities, a faux-leather folio to drop mail and permission slips into, brass hooks to hang keys and a kraft paper roller for jotting down to-do's.
Get you and your teen matching planners, which is an easy way to teach them time-management skills. Before starting homework, they can check their planner, assess their work and unpack accordingly. As each to-do is done, it goes back into the bag, so nothing gets left at home.
Get your entry in order.
Begin your day with an organized entry, including hooks for jackets, purses and backpacks. Use decorative bins to conceal and store accessories like umbrellas, shoes, hats, gloves, sports equipment and whatever else your family needs to throw on to get out the door on time. Create a routine that has kids putting their backpacks and gear away the minute they walk back in the door.
Get the tutorial at Designer Trapped »
RELATED: Small Entryway Ideas That Are Equal Parts Pretty and Practical
Piles of paper or jumbles of supplies make it harder to get things done. Invest in a storage solution, like this five-tier organizer, to give every notebook, loose paper and art supply a designated home.
RELATED: Best Desk Organization Ideas to Maximize Productivity
Designate a homework station.
To keep them motivated, ensure your tweens and teens have a clean space to do their schoolwork. Keep all the pens, chargers and notebooks they need within arm's reach so they can dive right into their assignments. Take note from designer Emily Henderson and fill the surrounding space with greenery for an extra mood booster.
Between the bus ride, the long days at school and extracurricular activities, it's easy for things to get misplaced. Pick up personalized tags with your child's name to help them keep track of their supplies, clothes, gear and lunch box.
Organize the closet.
When summer ends, you'll have to worry about getting yourself dressed and ensuring your little ones are ready on time for school. Give everything in the closet (yours and theirs) a place with storage bins and label holders to ensure a seamless morning routine.
RELATED: Best Closet Organization Ideas to Improve Your Morning Routine
No matter their age, they'll love starting the school year off with a brand-new backpack. Let them pick something in their favorite color or pattern, and they'll be more inspired to keep it clean and organized.
RELATED: The Best Kids Backpacks for School
They may have a growing collection of pens, pencils and markers at home, but they can only bring so many back and forth to school. A pencil case with various compartments, pockets and a carrying strap will make it easier.
Late on the first day? Not a good look. Keep stragglers in line by setting an alarm clock or timer to ring at strategic intervals, like 10 minutes before the bus comes.
Stock up on after-school snacks.
If your kids come home ready to raid the refrigerator and pantry, dedicate specific zones for after-school snacks, keeping healthy items within reach. This way, they won't make a mess digging through your organized pantry and you can have a say in what snacks they're eating.
RELATED: Best Pantry Organization Ideas to Keep Drawers, Cabinets and Shelves Clutter-Free
Plan dinners in advance.
Between driving to after-school activities and helping with homework, you've got limited time to cook dinner during the school year. Try to plan, shop and prep for your meals over the weekend, so you can stress less Monday through Friday. Consider Rubbermaid's Brilliance Food Storage Containers, a third-time Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award winner.
RELATED: A Beginner's Guide on How to Meal Prep for the Week
Breezing through the drop-off line is easy when kids can grab their toys, water cup or (let's face it) on-the-go breakfast from a stash in the car. It beats trying to hand them something from your purse while driving.
Even little kids can start to develop morning routines, thanks to the Echo Dot Kid's Edition. It can tell them the weather and set alarms for waking up, brushing teeth and getting dressed. Plus, you can call them to dinner with the Echo in your kitchen!
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
The Only Back-to-School Shopping Lists You Need
Amazon's Back-to-School Deals Are Underway!
40 Fun First-Day-of-School Activities
The Best Kids Backpacks for the New School Year
