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Get Organized for Back-to-School with Tidy Matters
No matter how relaxed your summer vacation may have been, transitioning from sleep-ins and summer camps to the first day of school is never easy. Whether your kiddos are starting school for the first time or it’s the last year before graduation, getting your home study-ready can help set up the whole family for success this September.
2024 Calgary Fall Home Show featured presenters Pam and Angie from Tidy Matters are no strangers to helping families get into the groove for the first day of school. Ahead of this year’s show, which runs September 27–29 at BMO Centre, we sat down with the professional organizers to get their tips and tricks for getting the whole family on board and organized to ensure a successful start to the year.
Back-to-School Organization Q&A with Tidy Matters
Q: What is your approach for de-cluttering when starting to organize a space — particularly with last year's resources, workbooks, assignments, etc.?
A: Decluttering is always the first step to any organizational project, but it can quickly become an overwhelming task if not approached correctly. Be sure to start slow and ease into the process. In order to make decisions, you need to be able to see everything you have. Sort your items into categories and keep like items together. For schoolwork, categories can include artwork, tests and quizzes, awards, report cards and assignments.
Remember, it is OK to not keep everything your children bring home from school. We suggest only keeping a few of the most special pieces from each school year. Choose the items that make you smile, show personal growth or have special meaning. Including your children in the decision-making process is a great way to teach them good decluttering skills.
Q: What are your favourite tools and products for keeping your children's room, home office or workspace neat and organized?
A: Having an organized workspace reduces distractions, improves efficiency and creates good habits. Some of our favourite organization products for any workspace include drawer units to store supplies, pegboard to hold items most used and often reached for, magazine file holders and wall shelves to hold books and decor. Where space is limited, a rolling cart is a great option to create needed storage space for supplies.
For younger children, clear storage works great. This provides visibility to make finding and putting away everything they need an easy process.
Q: What are some good tips for getting your kids and the whole family involved in the decluttering/organizing process?
A: There are a number of ways to involve your children in the organizational process. Here are some of our favourite ways to make it a family activity:
Make it fun with games — Turn decluttering and organizing into a game by creating challenges like "Who can find 5 things to donate the quickest" or "Sort the toys by colour in under 5 minutes." This helps kids see organizing as something fun rather than a chore.
Give everyone ownership and responsibility — Let each family member be in charge of their own spaces or tasks. For instance, let children decide what stays or goes in their room or be responsible for organizing their toys or bookshelves. This will help them feel invested in the process.
Teach the 'One In, One Out' Rule — To keep clutter at bay, explain that for every new item that comes into the home, one similar item needs to be discarded or donated. This rule helps with intentional purchasing.
Lead by example — Show your family that decluttering and organizing are valuable habits by maintaining your own spaces. By modelling the behaviour, it makes it easier for the whole family to understand the importance.
Create Rituals/Routines — Establish daily or weekly rituals like a "10-Minute Tidy-Up" before bed or a Sunday reset to prepare for the week ahead. These rituals maintain organization and prevent clutter from building up again.
Q: The start of the school year is always hectic! How can you set yourself and your family up for success when getting your space organized and functional for the year ahead?
A: Preparing for a successful school year requires having the right systems and spaces set up for your family. Here are some tips to achieve a functional home for the upcoming year.
Create a Family Command Centre — Set up a central hub that includes items like a shared family calendar, chore charts, meal plans and a place for important school papers.
Create a Drop Zone — Designate a spot near your home's entrance for everyone to drop their bags, coats and shoes. Use hooks, bins or cubbies to keep everything organized and ensure items don't get lost around the house.
Set up a Homework Station — Designate an area for schoolwork and be sure to have all the supplies kids will need, including paper, pens, and pencils. Make sure it is free from distractions and clutter.
Organize School Supplies — Before school starts, go through old school supplies and declutter items no longer needed. Stock up on new supplies and organize them so they are easy to access when needed.
Organize School Clothes — Create a system for choosing and organizing school outfits for the week. This may include labelled bins or hangers for each day of the week.
Q: How do you keep your family motivated to keep up with the organization of the space as the year goes on?
A: With busy lives, keeping your family motivated to keep up with the organization can be challenging. Consistency and daily routines will create positive habits and keep clutter from building up. Make organizing a family activity and add a little fun with music or games.
Q: Are there any new trends or products out this year that you are really loving?
A: Multi-functional furniture is a huge trend right now. With the current economy, many people are downsizing their spaces or needing to maximize the space they are in. Functional pieces such as coffee tables or sofas with hidden storage, dining tables and beds that fold away, and even bookcases with pull-out desks serve multiple purposes without taking up extra space in our homes.
2024 Calgary Fall Home Show
Be sure to catch Pam and Angie from Tidy Matters on the Sleep Country Mainstage at 5:00 pm on Friday, September 27 and at 12:00 pm Saturday, September 28. This year’s show features more than 200 exhibitors, including home renovation professionals, DIY experts and the latest and greatest trends and products in home improvement. Tickets are available online at calgaryfallhomeshow.mpetickets.com.