We can’t believe summer is almost over and school is right around the corner. And we really can’t believe that we are already sending our little Greyson into pre-K. We got our first letter in the mail last week about all the school supplies he needs to bring including a backpack. His FIRST backpack. I almost cried. Here we are still lugging around a diaper bag even though he’s out of diapers. Where did our baby go?! I know everyone says it all the time but seriously I really can’t believe how fast life is flying by. After that first paper came a few more and if you’re like me and hate the chaos that school brings to your home decor (haha!) this post is for you.
We were so excited to be back live on WCCO sharing a few of our tips that we’re chatting about in today’s post. If you missed it or don’t live in MN, you can catch it here…
1. Peg Board
School papers, art projects, crayons, notebooks, and more we wanted to create a little place for Greyson to be able to keep his stuff organized and to be honest – out of our kitchen! And that way, it’ll help us not to lose anything too!
Peg boards are an easy and inexpensive way to create a little fun workspace. But they’re not that attractive. So why not paint them! You can even do a fun ombre effect like Brit + Co did below. Once you got your peg board painted and hung you can create a couple of book shelves or other hanging racks to keep you organized.
2. Organizing Baskets
Wire baskets to hang on your peg board is another simple way to stay organized. The mudroom is another room that always becomes a disaster with the start of the school year. So even getting bins for the closets to help you stay organized is a must. We got these great bins from Home Depot for under $10 and then just painted them all gray to match our decor. Making chalkboard labels is a stylish way to label the bins. And taking and labeling per kid is a great way to keep your kids organized and getting in/out the door a lot quicker.
3. Chalkboard Labels
I love labels, and I love my chalkboards. These are super simple to DIY or pretty inexpensive to buy. We’ve seen them at Target and Michaels. Otherwise, we found these white gift tags in the Target dollar section for a ten pack. Score! How simple and cute to just close pin them onto the baskets.
Tutorial:
Materials:
- -Mini rectangular boards (we buy ours at Michael’s)
- -Chalkboard Paint
- -Clothes Pins or Hemp String
- -Burlap
- -Glue
Paint the already cut boards with three coats of chalkboard paint. Glue the clothespins or burlap onto the back of boards. Punch a hole in the top of the chalkboards if you’re using the hemp to tie onto the crates. Ta-da. How easy is that?!
4. Chalkboard Homework Chart
As you can tell, we love our chalkboards! I think it’s because they’re so dang easy and cute for any space. Find an old picture frame, take a piece of plywood laying around and paint the plywood with chalkboard paint and put into the frame and done!
5. Cork Boards
Cork boards are another fun way to keep your kids organized and a little less messy than chalkboards. They are another great way to hang all of those art projects. Find an old frame (or even make one) and buy some cork and throw into the frames.
6. School Paper Bins
And then there’s the paper clutter, the worst! Rebecca from Simple as That shows you how to put your papers into an easy filing system and she even has some great free downloads and printables for you HERE.
7. Look What I Made
Hanging your kids art projects are another, “what do I do with all this?!” This “Look What I Made” board is something we made our nieces, who were all our flower girls at our wedding, as a thank you. All you need is a 2×4, some string, nails, and paint and/or stain. Stain or paint the 2×4, once it’s dry paint onto the sign “Look What I Made” and throw in a couple of nails and tie the string from nail to nail. Take the close pins and throw them onto the string and there you have a fun and stylish little gallery board.
Photo Inspo: Rustic Farmhouse Decor
8. Entryway Calendar
Do you feel like you’re running from one activity to the next? This entryway calendar will keep everyone in the family organized, so they know what’s going on. Find a calendar at Target or make one yourself with a dry erase board, wood frame, and markers. Add a chalkboard for reminders and tasks to complete during the week. Now everyone’s on the same page, and you have an overview of the week and month!
9. Homework Caddy
Keep all those markers, scissors, and pencils in one place with a homework caddy. Find a silverware holder from Target and some mason jars. Place them in the various spaces and add in your homework materials. Store in an easy to reach place and now all those random pieces have a home!
10. Mudroom Hooks & Shelves
Rather than having jackets, shoes, and hats lying around everywhere in your house use hooks and shelves to create a nook where everything is stored. We love this look from Studio McGee with the shiplap and black hooks. Find a space in your home that is underused and install some hooks and shelving to make your own little mudroom corner.
