Home Projects You Can Still Tackle Before School Starts Back
Summer may be flying by, but there’s still time to knock out a few home projects that make a big difference—just in time for the back-to-school hustle. Whether you’re a parent gearing up for early mornings and packed lunches or simply love the idea of a fresh reset before fall, here are a few manageable home upgrades you can still check off your list.
1. Create a Functional Drop Zone
Set yourself up for smoother mornings by creating a designated space for backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes, and keys. Whether it’s a full mudroom, a bench with hooks by the door, or a simple basket system in the entryway—this little area can save you major time and stress.
Mud Room
Even if you don’t have the space for a full mud-room, you can add hooks to the wall and and a book shelf or bench for shoes, keys, and backpacks.
2. Refresh the Kids' Spaces
A quick declutter and reset in the kids’ bedrooms or play areas can go a long way. Try:
Rotating out toys and books they’ve outgrown
Adding labeled bins for school supplies
Rearranging furniture to create a study nook or quiet corner
3. Tame the Pantry + Fridge
Back-to-school season means more snacks, lunch prep, and busy dinners. A mid-summer pantry clean-out makes weekday life easier. Toss expired goods, group similar items, and add clear bins or turntables for grab-and-go access. Pro tip: reserve a section just for lunchbox items to streamline those chaotic mornings.
My Own Pantry
I took some time recently to update and clean out my own pantry.
4. Touch Up the High-Traffic Areas
Give your baseboards, walls, and doors a quick wipe-down or paint touch-up in places that get the most love (and grime). Entryways, hallways, and kitchen corners tend to show the wear first—and a simple refresh makes the whole home feel cleaner.
5. Get Ahead on Paper Clutter
Start a system now for the school flyers, permission slips, and endless forms that will soon flood in. A wall-mounted organizer or simple desktop file box labeled by kid or category can help you stay ahead of the chaos.
6. Prep the Yard (and the Morning Routine)
If mornings mean rushing out the door again soon, do yourself a favor by trimming back any overgrowth near pathways, cleaning up porch clutter, and making sure your outdoor lights are working. Bonus: it gives your curb appeal a quick summer polish, too.
Final Thought:
You don’t have to overhaul your whole home—just one or two of these small upgrades can make your space feel more peaceful and functional as you ease out of summer mode.
Already tackling a few projects? Tag me in your progress—I love seeing how you’re making your home work for your season. And if a new home is on your back-to-school wishlist, I’m just a message away.
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