It may seem like summer just started, but school will be in full swing in the blink of an eye! While summer is best enjoyed carefree and casually that approach can create chaos as the school year begins. Prepping your new Ken Harvey Home for the coming year is a terrific way to avoid the stress that often arrives with room assignments and bus routes. While this can be a task met with little enthusiasm, mapping out a to-do list will help mark it completed in no time.

What’s the best way to start? By involving the whole family! Engaging school-age children gives them ownership in organization, encouraging them to maintain it going forward. A sense of responsibility helps children develop good habits and this can be done by assigning age-appropriate tasks. From simply sorting supplies to preparing their lunches, engagement equals empowerment. 

Once the whole family is ready to roll up their sleeves, decide where to install a cute command center. Having a designated command center allows everyone to stay informed about upcoming events and eliminates confusion. Options include:

• A wall-mounted bulletin board with an assortment of colorful push pins.
• Fill a magnetic whiteboard with fun magnets picked up on family adventures.
• Pick up a sturdy file organizer to house important documents until needed.
• One must-have? A calendar! Buy one with extra-large blocks or invest in a digital option (you’ll be able to email details straight to the device). Let each family member pick a color to use for their entries!

Before school starts, determine where your home’s drop zone will be located. Doing this early will allow your family to start forming a habit of placing bags, shoes, and jackets in the drop zone. Hooks, cubbies, or baskets are all cute and convenient ways to store items, keeping entrances tidy and reducing the morning hunt to find a missing shoe.

Declutter, Organize, Streamline

Kitchens and closets become cluttered quite quickly! Before the school year starts, make a date with each area to bring them back to a streamlined state of efficiency.

• Go through your children’s closets and remove items that no longer fit. Arrange clothes in sections by weather, keeping those meant for hot days in one area and the coming colder days in another. This will make outfit selection a bit less chaotic on those early mornings. Invest in sturdy bins or baskets to store items that aren’t currently being used but make sure they are clearly labeled for easy access down the road. 
• In the kitchen, designate areas in both the pantry and refrigerator for kid-friendly snacks and school lunch supplies. Creating a snack station with healthy options allows kids to grab a pick-me-up without permission. Help your kids pick out a variety of lunch items that you can quickly choose from when making lunches. Clear storage containers are a great way to monitor inventory and avoid finding empty boxes in the pantry!  
• School supplies present a tricky balance as we often don’t know what our children will need until they are back to school. Instead of buying items early that may never be used, take note of what you already have and get those organized. Sort items by category (art supplies, writing utensils, paper types, etc.) in clearly labeled containers. Portable caddies are a great option for making school supplies mobile. Once school begins, compare your inventory against the school’s request and purchase only those items that you haven’t got at home.

Focus and Relax!

No matter your age, it is important to have both a dedicated work zone and a relaxation retreat. Dedicated spaces signal the mind to either roll up its sleeves or lighten its load.  

• For homework, choose a quiet corner in your home and install a small desk dedicated to schoolwork. If you’re short on space, designate a section of the dining table for each child to serve as homework stations. Make sure the area is well-lit and stocked with supplies (or roll in that mobile cart!). Choose comfortable seating that encourages good posture as this will prevent fatigue. This is a great spot to use an analog clock for both learning and to avoid the endless “Can I be done yet?” questions. 

• For relaxation, set up a cozy, comfortable nook with a variety of age-appropriate books and magazines. Soft lighting, plush pillows, and a comfy throw will all encourage your child to utilize the space to unwind. With tablets and computers becoming more common in school, it is important that this area is device-free!

As your family returns to the back-to-school routine, plan on regular tweaks to the daily cadence of your home. Extracurricular activities will be added, last-minute projects will pop up, and play dates will dominate the calendar. What works today may seem chaotic tomorrow. If your family has feedback, listen with an open mind, stay flexible, and be creative. 

Ken Harvey Homes is thrilled to build gorgeous homes just around the corner from amazing educational facilities. Each of our floorplans is designed with convenience in mind, including a variety of options for storage and organization. From custom cabinets to dedicated office or study space, Ken Harvey Homes understands that each homeowner’s needs are unique when it comes to form and function. 

Ready to put our team to the test? Reach out to the Ken Harvey Homes today!