Cooler nights and earlier sunsets mean one thing in New England – it’s back to school time! Although, this tends to be a dreaded time for some, stepping back into a more “normal” household routine does have its perks. It’s also a great time for adults to press the “reset” button on old habits that may be causing chaos around the house. Today, we discuss back-to-school remodeling tips to turn your house from chaos to composed this school year.
Some habits may have a quick fix. For instance, adding a homework caddy to your tabletop so everyone has what they need when they finally sit down to work.
In addition, a prepping bin for the pantry or a drawer in the fridge with on-the-go snacks to keep up with busy sports schedules.
These are great tips for quick DIY updates. However, if you’re planning for a home renovation or just starting the design phase of a building project, the next 3 tips will inspire you and your building team. Keep your home organized and running smoothly for years to come.
3 Back-to-School Remodeling Tips to Turn Your House from Chaos to Composed
1. Create a functional entry space to hide all your gear.
Create an entry that catches everyone and everything before they get too far inside the house. This is a great way to take control of the clutter making it’s way through the rest of the house.
In addition, have a zone or cubbies for each family member. This will help them get in the habit of leaving all their stuff in an assigned spot. The result is a smooth running home with each member accountable.
Another notable tip is to add plenty of hooks to hang backpacks and jackets. Adding lower hooks for bags and small children can be a huge help and maximizes space.
We of course love adding bins with labels to help guide items back where they belong once the space is established!
2. Prioritize your laundry room.
Laundry is a major pain point for many people. Without the right system in place, throughout the week towels, school clothes and sports uniforms begin to pile up. Add dirty laundry baskets separated into darks, colors, lights, and SOS for items that are extra dirty or need cleaning right away.
Having everyone in the house use the baskets saves you time. No more searching gym bags or under beds for items that need washing!
Another great way to save even more time is by placing clean items in designated baskets. Then each child can take theirs back to their room to put away. Team work sure does make the dream work when it comes to laundry!
3. Set up a command center for your house.
I’d venture to say that almost every home I’ve been in has asked for a better way to control the items that land on the kitchen counter. My solution is to add a command center.
This organized spot should have a calendar, bulletin board, or dry erase board for to-do lists. Make sure to have a place to catch paperwork or mail in addition to the items like keys, sunglasses, wallets, etc. This is also a great place to add a charging station or drawer for all your phones and devices to charge in one spot.
Conclusion
Now that you have my 3 back-to-school remodeling tips for an organized home, it’s time to get NEAT! Share your project with us by tagging #neatnh and #lcgroupnh on Instagram so we can celebrate your win. And if time is your challenge, we’ve got you covered. Click here to contact NEAT. We can’t wait to “neat” you!
About Mia Whalley
Mia Whalley is the owner of Neat Method in New Hampshire and has been a resident in the Lakes Region for over 15 years. She is a member of the Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association. Mia is also a committee member for their annual Parade of Homes Tour. Scheduled for Columbus Day weekend. She and her team had the honor of working with Lighthouse Contracting Group in their 2018 Parade Home: The Rocky Retreat.
