Back to School: My Must-Have Organizing Picks to Help You Make it Breezy, not Busy

If you’re anything like my mama friends or any parent I’ve ever worked with, back to

school season gets busy. Papers. Shoes. Lunchboxes. Random “I don't know where I put my homework!” emergencies. And before 7 a.m.? All of this is A LOT.

Every year, I see families trying to keep up by stuffing things into junk drawers or piling it all on the kitchen counter. That’s not sustainable. And eventually, that same counter becomes the very thing that spikes your cortisol every time you walk past it.

As a professional organizer, I believe everything should have a clear, designated home. Not for perfection, but so you spend less time hunting and more time actually enjoying these fleeting years.

So as we start shifting from summer fun to back to school prep, I've put together some of the products I recommend to clients again and again. They help keep routines smoother, transitions calmer, and mornings just a little more manageable.

The Entryway: Create a Drop Zone That Works

No more “Mom, where’s my backpack?” moments. Hopefully.

• ClosetMaid KidSpace Locker A great mini drop zone for backpacks, sweaters, bags, and school shoes. If you don’t have a full mudroom, this gives you the same function in a small footprint.
  

• Over-the-Door Backpack Hanger No drilling required and ideal for shared bedrooms, apartments, or entryways where wall space is limited.
  

• Heavy-Duty Wall Hooks Mount these near the door or in your child’s room so every backpack or jacket has a home.

  
  

Paper Clutter: Tame the Chaos Before It Starts

Let’s not use your kitchen counter as a filing cabinet this year.

• Magazine File Boxes Use one per child or category to hold worksheets, newsletters, or artwork.
  

• Latching File Box This one is great for paperwork you actually want to keep, like certificates and keepsakes. Just be mindful. Not everything needs to be saved forever.
  

• Mesh Hanging File Organizer Set this up and label folders for “To Sign,” “To Keep,” and “To Return.”
  

  
  

Lunch and Snack Prep: Make Mornings Easier

The more you prep ahead, the less chaos there is at 6:45 a.m.

• Leakproof Bento Box Durable, kid-friendly, and dishwasher safe with five compartments. A reliable option for packing lunches that don’t leak or get squished.
  

• Tear-Off Lunchbox Notes Add a quick love note or encouragement without needing to come up with something from scratch each day. How adorable are these?!
  

• Clear Snack Bin Organizers Use in the pantry or fridge to set up a grab-and-go system. Even little kids can help pack their own snacks when it’s all within reach.
  

ADHD-Friendly Tools: Visual Structure Can Change Everything

Reminders don’t always stick. But visuals often do.

• Visual Countdown Timer Perfect for transitions, homework time, or helping kids grasp what “five more minutes” actually means.
  

• Magnetic Morning & Bedtime Routine Chart Keeps routines predictable and visible so you can do less reminding and more encouraging.
  

• Weekly Hanging Clothes Organizer Plan outfits on Sunday and cut the weekday “what do I wear” battles. This one even comes labeled with the days of the week.

You deserve to start the school year with a plan that actually works for your space, your brain, and your family. And these are the tried-and-true products I've actually used in projects and/or recommend to families like yours.

Need More Support?

If you’re craving systems that are ADHD-friendly, sustainable, and designed around how you function, I’d love to help. Schedule an intro call to chat about in-person or virtual support options.

Let’s make this the year your home feels calmer, more functional, and aligned with what your family needs most.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links through LTK. As an organizer, I only share products I genuinely recommend.