The Back-to-School Home Reset: 7 Spaces to Organize Before September
Because buying the school supplies was only phase one.
Sandalwood & Serenity | The Hollow Quill
There is a very specific point in August when the cute part of back-to-school ends.
The new backpacks have been photographed. The pencils are sharpened. Everyone has at least attempted to remember their schedule.
And now?
There are shoes by the front door, water bottles multiplying on the kitchen counter, papers appearing from nowhere, chargers disappearing into bedrooms and someone asking where their other uniform shirt is at 7:14 in the morning.
Welcome to the real back-to-school season.
If you missed the big early-August sales, don't panic — this may actually be the better time to shop. Instead of buying everything marketed as a “school essential,” we're resetting the spaces that actually make weekday life run more smoothly.
And with retailers beginning to overlap their remaining back-to-school promotions with early Labor Day home sales, there are still plenty of opportunities to save.
So before September arrives, we're giving seven hardworking areas of the house a quick reset.
My 5 kids are grown but the basket system still works. One bin each under the bench. If it’s downstairs, it goes in the bin. Works at 6 or 26 — either way it feels as if you are still picking up after them when the come to visit.
1. Create an Entryway Drop Zone
Let's begin with the place where everything gets abandoned.
Backpacks.
Shoes.
Keys.
Sports equipment.
Packages.
A random sweatshirt that apparently belongs to no one.
Whether you have a full mudroom or approximately four inches of wall beside the front door, the goal isn't to create a Pinterest-perfect entryway.
The goal is to give everything somewhere to go.
What to shop
Wall hooks for backpacks and jackets
Individual baskets or bins for each child
Shoe rack or narrow shoe cabinet
Small tray for keys and earbuds
Bench with hidden storage
Over-the-door organizer
Command hooks for smaller spaces
Catchall basket for sports equipment
The Hollow Quill tip: Give each child one basket or bin. Anything they leave downstairs goes into it. When the basket is full, congratulations — they have unlocked a complimentary trip upstairs.
SHOP THE ENTRYWAY RESET →
Marlette Row of Hooks - 5 hooks in black + brass, instant mudroom look in 4 inches of wall.
Fantastical Forest Hooks - whimsical forest animal hooks.
Aubrey 4-Piece Entryway Set with Storage Cabinets - great for larger entry ways with max storage options.
Everson Coat Rack - a classic look with a modern finish.
2. Individual Baskets / Bins for Each Child
Label them. Don't overthink the material - woven hides the chaos.
3. Shoe Rack or Narrow Shoe Cabinet
For your "4 inches of wall" people.
Double Bar Shoe Rack - Set of 2 - Pottery Barn
2-Tier Bamboo Stackable Shoe Rack - The Container Store
4.The Console Reset
Clear the clutter, add a catchall tray, tuck away the extras, and give everything a home. A five-minute console reset can make the whole entryway feel calmer.
Some Tips
Build a family command center
If you’re just getting your system set up, you can catch up on last week’s post where I walk through building a full family kitchen command center for organizing home life, trips, and after-school activities—it’s the perfect companion to this reset and will help you pull everything together in one place.
👉 Read: The Summer-to-Fall Kitchen Reset
Apolosign 21.5" Digital Calendar
Family Calendar auto-syncs Apple, Google, Outlook, and more.
Routines turn chores into points and rewards.
Customize your dashboard with Android widgets, your way.
Plan meals, organize recipes, and stay on track.
Post reminders and countdowns on the Message Board.
Photo Frame with calendar, clock, and Google Photos no subscription.
Reset the Homework & Study Zone
Not every child needs a dedicated desk.
They do need a place where they can reliably find the things required to finish homework without yelling:
“MOM, DO WE HAVE A GLUE STICK?”
Create a portable homework station that can move between the kitchen table, dining room or bedroom.
The easiest setup
Use a three-tier rolling cart and divide it into categories.
Top Tier — Everyday
Middle Tier — School Projects
Rulers
Tape
Bottom Tier — Paper
Notebook paper
Printer paper
Construction paper
Folders
Extra notebooks
Add a small desk lamp and charging station if your child regularly works in the same location.
And if your kids are older?
Skip the crayons and create a teen study cart with chargers, headphones, notebooks, Post-its, pens, protein bars and whatever caffeinated beverage we're pretending they don't drink.
SHOP THE SUNDAY KITCHEN RESET →
You Don't Need an Organized House. You Need an Easier Week.
That's the difference.
We're not organizing because every drawer needs to be Instagram-worthy.
We're organizing because September is coming.
Schedules get fuller. The days get shorter. Sports start. Activities restart. Work doesn't magically become less busy because school is back in session.
A basket beside the door can save five minutes.
A designated school-paper spot can prevent a missed form.
Five outfits planned on Sunday can eliminate an argument on Tuesday.
And knowing exactly where the damn glue sticks are?
That's practically self-care.
Start with the space creating the most chaos in your house.
Fix that one first.
Then make yourself something good to drink and leave the rest for next weekend.
September will arrive either way.
We might as well make it a little easier.
Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means The Hollow Quill may earn a commission when you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Prices and promotions can change at any time. We only share products and retailers that make sense for the story — because no one needs another basket just because the internet told us to buy one.
Hi, I'm E. Lynn Jimenez, founder of The Hollow Quill and the voice behind Sandalwood & Serenity. I believe a beautiful home isn't about perfection—it's about creating spaces that help you slow down, breathe a little deeper, and find comfort in the everyday. From cozy seasonal décor to simple home refreshes, I'm sharing inspiration to help you create a home you truly love coming back to.
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