Summer Is the BEST Time to Get Organized (Even If It Doesn't Feel Like It)

As a parent of school-aged children, summer can often feel like a season of simply surviving instead of thriving. But it doesn't have to be that way. During the summer, schedules naturally become more flexible. Without the structure of the school day, life tends to flow at a slower pace. While those extra hours at home can sometimes feel chaotic, they also provide the perfect opportunity to tackle organizing projects that often get pushed aside during the busy school year.

One of the biggest organizing tasks that naturally comes with summer is rotating seasonal items. Before packing away winter clothes and gear, take a few extra minutes to declutter. Your future self will thank you when it's time to pull everything back out.

For clothing, especially children's clothing, I recommend clearly labeling storage bins with the season, sizes, and gender (if applicable). As you sort, set aside anything that is unlikely to fit anyone in your household by the next seasonal change. Pack those items separately so they're ready to donate, gift, or hand down to younger family members. Of course, how much you choose to keep should depend on the amount of storage space you have available.

Summer is also an excellent time to involve your children in organizing their own toys, books, and artwork. Teaching kids to recognize what they truly value helps them become more comfortable letting go of things they no longer use or need. While it may seem easier to declutter without them, including them in the process helps build pride in their spaces, and children who feel ownership of their room are often more motivated to keep it tidy.

Finally, organizing during the summer sets you up for a much smoother back-to-school season. Tackling small projects now can prevent the overwhelm that often arrives in August when school supplies, schedules, activities, and routines all return at once.

Here are a few organizing projects you can complete in 15 minutes or less:

Junk Drawer

Empty everything out and sort like items together. Return anything that belongs elsewhere in the house, discard trash, and use drawer dividers, small containers, or zippered bags to keep everything organized going forward.

Water Bottles

Gather every water bottle, lid, straw, and accessory from around the house. Match them up, discard broken or incomplete bottles, and decide how many your family realistically needs. I know there are different bottles for different activities, but you'd be surprised how many families of four own more than 30 water bottles!

Sunscreen & Bug Spray

Collect every bottle of sunscreen and insect repellent from around your home. Common hiding places include bathroom closets, medicine cabinets, garages, beach bags, and coat closets. Discard expired products and store everything together so you know exactly what you have.

Medicine Cabinet

Take everything out and check expiration dates. Throw away expired medications (I take my clients medications to the Olivette Police Station to be properly disposed, but check with your local community center to see where you can take yours), add replacements to your shopping list, and group similar items together in bins or zippered pouches. Makeup bags work wonderfully for this and are something many people already have at home.

Car Console

The center console often becomes a catch-all for receipts, loose change, business cards, pens, and other miscellaneous items. Start by emptying everything out. Toss the trash, bring household items back inside, and be intentional about what deserves a permanent home in your vehicle. If you don't already have one, consider adding a small car trash can, I can tell you from experience that it makes keeping your car tidy, especially with kids, much easier.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Reusable bags multiply quickly! Decide how many you realistically use at one time, then keep no more than twice that number. Sort them by size and purpose, and donate the extras.

With only about six weeks remaining until school starts, choosing just one or two small projects each week can make a big difference. By the time August arrives, you'll feel more prepared, less stressed, and ready to begin another school year with confidence.

If you'd like a helping hand with your summer organizing projects, I'm here for you! I offer

personalized organizing solutions that create functional, stress-free spaces for your family. Summer appointments fill quickly as families prepare for back-to-school, so if you've been thinking about getting organized, now is the perfect time to schedule a session. Reach out today, and let's make the most of your summer!