Back to school! 29 clever organisation home hacks

Get organised for the new academic year

Somehow, a new academic year has rolled around again – time to assemble school bags, sports kits and lunch boxes, because the back-to-school transition is here.

Whether you're dreading the house falling quiet or can't wait to deposit your little darlings at the school gates again, here's how to get your family and home organised for the new school year.

Refresh their school uniform

Take a look at the uniform page on your school's webpage or get an up-to-date list from the school office. They'll be able to direct you to a specialist uniform shop that supplies items with your school's badges.

If your child's school doesn't have a uniform, it's still a good idea to check if there are any changes to their school-approved clothing list. When it comes to stocking up on generic items like shirts and trousers, keep an eye out at supermarkets for great back-to-school discounts.

Buy new school shoes

Comfortable and hard-wearing shoes are a school essential. Make sure your kids get the right fit by booking an appointment at specialist shoe shops.

If you're strapped for time or can't face the busy shop floor, then step-by-step measuring instructions and size templates are available on the Clarks website. Start-Rite also has an online tool for measuring your child's feet with your mobile phone, so you can ensure the right fit.

Label everything!

Every parent knows that labelling your child's uniform and belongings is essential if you'd rather pass on taking a nose dive into the whiffy lost property box.

Get the sewing kit out, opt for easy iron-on name tags or invest in a personalised ink stamp. Most uniforms come with a 'name' label already sewn in, so grab a waterproof pen and get writing!

Buy an academic calendar

Create a family command centre with a large-scale wall planner. Look for a design with a term time layout and plenty of note space for dental appointments and after-school activities.

Allocate each family member a different coloured marker pen and make sure it's pinned where everyone can see. That way, everyone will know who should be where and when – no excuses!

Featured Personalised Weekly Planner Pad available from Making Meadows.

Stock up on stationery

From gel pens to scientific calculators, protractors and rulers, the obligatory shopping trip for stationery supplies is a rite of passage for the new school year.

Get your kids in the mood for the start of term by hosting a crafting afternoon with their classmates. It's a great chance for them to personalise their exercise books, as well as ease any back-to-school nerves.

Sort out the school bags

Don't leave them stashed in the corner of the bedroom all summer. Have a thorough sort out and make sure activity kits still fit, name labels are intact and sports equipment is clean.

As kids get older they are likely to want new bags for the start of the year, so try and get these bought and labelled in good time. A personalised school bag will ensure they're harder to lose, too.

Featured backpack available from Sophie Allport.

Buy new lunch boxes

Make starting back at school fun by creating new family traditions. Treat your children to a new lunch box for the next school term – their interests are bound to have changed from the year before.

In addition to cartoon-printed lunch bags and patterned boxes, don't forget to pick up smaller containers to separate fruit and snacks, too. Plus, a matching water bottle will ensure they keep hydrated.

Featured Rex lunchbox set available from Top Drawer.

Organise the laundry room

As the school semester kicks off, your laundry room will once again be hit by a deluge of uniforms and muddy sports kits. Get ahead of the game and install handy storage baskets and hanging units to organise the chaos.

Laundry baskets in the bathroom and bedrooms will stop any dirty clothes from being left on the floor – theoretically – and will make collecting everyone's items a little bit easier.

Featured storage boxes available from Orthex Group.

Streamline the bathroom

Weekday mornings can be hectic, with the entire household needing to get into the bathroom all at the same time. Aid the morning mayhem by creating an organised bathroom.

If you have the space, then assign each member of the family a different drawer for their belongings and consider hanging hooks with name plates above, so everyone knows which towel is theirs. If you need one, you could also consider creating a bathroom schedule, so there are no morning fallouts.

Featured bathroom cabinet available from GoodHome brought to you by B&Q.

Get the kitchen cupboards in order

Whether it's grabbing a hurried bowl of cereal in the morning or throwing together a quick family meal in the evening, organising your dried food will make mealtimes a little bit less stressful.

Opt for clear, airtight containers so you can spot exactly what you want at a glance. Plus, it'll be easy to see what you need to stock up on.

Organise your outerwear

The hallway is usually the go-to space for outerwear storage. Ensure your entrance is organised for the colder, wetter months ahead by swapping out summer coats and shoes for warmer alternatives.

Keep it tidy by adding labelled box storage for individual family members and mount two rows of hooks so younger ones can gain access to their own belongings easily.

Featured furniture available from Garden Trading.

Clean out the car

Take the opportunity to give your car a good post-summer holiday clean. Vacuum beach sand from the boot, shampoo sticky stains from the seats and install handy organisers that will keep the interior ordered and tidy.

Start the bedtime routine

Begin the school bedtime routine a week before the new term. Body clocks take a little while to adjust and all those late nights will have taken their toll.

Buy your kids a fun new alarm clock and try setting it a little earlier in the morning, to compensate for the inevitable lie-ins.

Featured loft bed available from Little Snoozes.

Let a smart home device help

These days, smart home technology is so advanced that it can help make your life easier. So, consider bringing in some clever gadgets to assist you with the daily grind.

Amazon's Echo Dot Kid's Edition is fantastic – it can tell your littles one the weather, wake them up with a morning alarm and even remind them to brush their teeth. Plus, you can call the entire household to breakfast, if you also add an Echo to your kitchen.

Featured smart device available from Amazon.

Bring out the blankets

A good night's sleep is key to keeping your kids on their A-game. As the evenings get colder, ensure bedrooms are kept warm and cosy with extra soft furnishings.

Bring your blankets and throws out of storage and give them a thorough wash in time for the chillier climate.

Featured duvet cover and pillowcases available from Kabode.

Brighten up their bedroom

If your children are in a funk about returning to school, lift their spirits by transforming their bedroom. Let the kids take the lead and allow them to create a space that reflects their personality.

An uplifting colour palette coupled with good storage and a sturdy desk can help put even the fussiest teenager in the right mindset for the academic year ahead. These amazing kids' rooms are sure to inspire you.

Featured bedroom storage available from Shelved.

Clear out the toybox

Hit reset in your home before school starts by clearing out the clutter. Go through your children's storage boxes and donate anything that hasn't been played with or used all summer.

Segmented storage units can help you make the most of your space. It'll also help to make room for the next toy intake. After all, Christmas is never far away!

Featured rug available from Sonya Winner Rug Studio.

Refresh reading books

Keep reading at the forefront of family life and refresh your bookshelves. Take the books your children have outgrown to the charity shop and pay a visit to your local library or bookshop.

It's the perfect time to find new stories that will keep them engaged through the next school year. Make sure books are easily accessible for smaller arms by mounting low shelving units.

Practise the school run

If your child is starting a new school, why not practice the school run in real-time? It's a good idea to navigate more than one route. A late mark on their first day would not be a good start, especially if it's down to traffic.

If your children are nervous about the move, why not take them with you? Familiarising them with their new school route may help settle their nerves.​

Set breakfast the night before

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially before school. Get the whole family off to a good start by setting the breakfast table the night before. Doing as much as you can before you go to bed will help keep your mornings calm and orderly.

Featured artwork available from Poster Store.

Prepare clothing in advance

Preparation truly is key to smooth-running school mornings. Try to iron your child's uniform or school-appropriate clothing on a Sunday and lay them out for the week ahead.

If your child takes part in afterschool sports or other activities, make sure you have their kit washed and ready to go.

Beware of back-to-school bugs

Kids are always picking up bugs and germs, especially at the start of a new term. So, to duck the back-to-school illnesses and keep your child – and you – healthy, it's worth reminding them of basic hygiene rules, such as regular hand washing.

Sending them to school with tissues and hand sanitiser in their bag can help too, as well as regularly washing their uniforms at a high temperature.

Assemble a first-aid kit

When kids are around, accidents can happen, so prepare for any scuffs and scrapes by putting together a handy first-aid kit. Fill it with things like antibacterial wipes, plasters, scissors and tweezers.

Keep the kit close to hand – the glove compartment of your car might be a good spot.

Create an art wall

The return to school means your little artists will start to bring home their creative masterpieces. Showcase their work with pride by installing an art wall to display their creations.

A piece of ribbon with craft pegs is cheap and easy to assemble, while sticker frames offer a simple way to swap out work. Alternatively, the fridge is always a great place to display kids' artwork. As Pablo Picasso said, every child is an artist – even if you can't quite distinguish the shapes...

Establish a homework area

Make homework less of a chore by creating an attractive homework hub to increase productivity and concentration. Choose somewhere quiet and well-lit, away from distractions like the TV.

Keep supplies to hand with stationery drawers and put up a pinboard for notes and revision calendars.

Featured furniture available from Furniture And Choice.

Prepare for photo opps

The first day back is usually accompanied by the parental paparazzi. Rather than run-of-the-mill garden snaps, make it fun with a few fresh ideas. Use chalk to write your child's name and school year on the path or create a fun frame to display the final shot.

If time is precious or first-day nerves strike, you could always have your photo shoot the day before – shh, nobody has to know.

Make a weekly meal plan

Family members are often the biggest influence when it comes to passing on healthy eating habits to the younger generation. Start the school year with good intentions by planning your weekly meals.

Preparation pays in the long run and a regular schedule could save you time and money, as well as ensuring your family enjoys a well-rounded diet.

Featured meal planner available from Martha Brook.

Think up healthy after school snacks

Plan some healthy after-school snacks that will keep tummies full until dinner time. If the summer holidays were full of treats, now's the time to get back on track.

Entice younger ones' appetites with colourful containers of fruits and veggies and consider cutting snacks into fun, novelty shapes to make them more appealing.

Arrange after school clubs

Games, sports, crafting, languages – most schools have a wide range of after-school clubs to meet your child's every whim. That being said, they're almost always in high demand so make sure you have your child's place reserved in good time to avoid disappointment.

Whatever the new school year holds for your little ones and the whole family, try some of these tips to make it a smooth journey for everyone.