Back to School Basics: 5 Organizational Must-Haves to Start the Year Off Right

School’s starting back up, and whether your crew is headed out the door or gathering around the kitchen table, one thing’s for sure — organization makes all the difference. Getting ahead of the clutter (and chaos) means smoother mornings, faster homework sessions, and fewer lost glue sticks. I’ve rounded up five smart, space-saving solutions that can help keep your household a little more sane as the school year kicks off.

a collage image of the items mentioned in the post

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Here are Simple Home Picks for must-have school organization:

1. Over-the-Door Pocket Organizer

Perfect for corralling everything from extra pencils to water bottles, over-the-door organizers are a game-changer. Hang one in a bedroom, hallway closet, or even on a pantry door to create an instant school-supply station.

➡️ Great for: Big families, shared bedrooms, or small spaces that need serious multitasking.

an over the door pocket organizer hanging on a schoolroom door

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2. Magnetic Locker Accessories

Lockers may have shelves now, but they usually don’t come with magnetic storage. Add magnetic pencil holders, mirrors, and dry-erase boards to personalize and organize their space.

➡️ Great for keeping pens from disappearing into the void.

a school locker with school books, a backpack, and magnetic pen holder, mirror, whiteboard and pen, and two magnets

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3. Desktop Drawer Organizer

From preschool art supplies to high school study stations, desk drawers can become junk drawers real fast. A good set of adjustable organizers keeps scissors from mixing with snacks and makes homework feel a little less chaotic.

➡️ Great for: Homeschool setups, bedroom desks, or even a mobile supply cart.

a school desk with a notebook, pencils, an organizer holding school supplies, and a desk lamp

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4. Backpack Command Hook Station

Tired of backpacks being dumped on the floor (and tripped over)? Install a row of heavy-duty command hooks near the door. Assign each kid a hook for their bag, jacket, and maybe even their lunchbox.

➡️ Great for: Streamlining the before-school scramble.

wall hooks holding backpacks in a classroom

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5. Color-Coded Binder or Folder System

Sometimes it’s the simple things that save your sanity. Assigning each subject or child a color makes it easier to keep track of whose folder is whose. Toss in some matching labels and you’re ready to roll.

➡️ Great for: Multi-kid households or anyone who thrives on visual systems.

color-coded binders on a bookshelf in a classroom setting

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Final Thoughts

Getting organized for school doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. A few smart tools and simple routines can make all the difference in setting the tone for a smoother year.

➡️ Stay tuned for the next post in the Back to School Basics series, where we’ll dive into clever school supply picks that go beyond the basic pencil and glue stick.