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As the back-to-school season approaches in the US, it's time to prepare your home for the transition. Here are some professional organization tips, curated from interviews with top organizers, to help you declutter and create a functional space this August.
Entryway Decluttering and Organizing
Clear out summer clutter like flip-flops, sunglasses, and pool gear, and prepare the space for fall items such as jackets, bookbags, and umbrellas. Use labeled baskets, hooks, and slimline shoe cabinets to keep things off the floor and easily accessible. This helps prevent clutter buildup and supports the school year transition.
Seasonal Wardrobe Management
Store away winter clothes and keep only summer essentials like hats, sandals, and swimwear visible in labeled bins. Monthly editing of your closet ensures you keep only what fits and is regularly worn.
Garage and Outdoor Spaces Refresh
Post-summer is ideal to sort through sports gear, tools, seasonal decor, and miscellaneous items. Use vertical storage systems and labeled, stackable bins to maximize space and maintain order.
Declutter Kids’ Old School Papers and Projects
Select meaningful pieces and store them in a defined memory bin per child to avoid overwhelming sentimental clutter.
Digital Decluttering and Wishlist Organization
August is a good time to clear out and organize digital wishlists and bookmarks ahead of fall and the holiday season, helping budget and plan purchases wisely.
Other Targeted Decluttering
Focus on hobby equipment, swimwear not used, and preparing emergency preparedness kits. Attention to these areas supports a comprehensive home reset before fall.
The overarching professional strategy includes the cycle of Zone, Elevate, Label, Repeat—assign distinct zones for items, store by elevating for easy access, clearly label storage, and repeat these practices regularly to maintain organization without overwhelm.
These insights come from professional organizers interviewed by Homes and Gardens, House Beautiful, and Los Angeles Times in mid-2025, providing actionable room-by-room and category-specific recommendations aligned with the late summer-to-fall seasonal shift.
In addition, Nat Robinson, CEO of Trustworthy, suggests organizing school schedules, immunization records, and shared family calendars. A pack of 72 labels can be used to organize school supplies and moving boxes, while bubble wrap can protect items and furniture from damage during a move. Don't forget to pick up a complete first-aid kit and a battery-operated flashlight for minor fall and winter emergencies.
Lastly, Gerrit Jan Reinders, the CEO and Founder of BOXIE24, advises preparing for late-summer storms and the coming autumn season by making or replenishing emergency kits. With these tips, you're well on your way to a more organized home this August.
- To prepare for the upcoming school season in August, consider rearranging your lifestyle to accommodate the new needs for fashion-and-beauty, like buying school essentials and waterproof jackets for the changing weather.
- Once finished with decluttering your home, focus on updating your home-and-garden, as suggested by professional organizers, by setting up a tool station in the garage or designing a cozy fall landscape in your backyard.
