Big tidy-up before back to school: clothes, supplies and workspace
02 August, 2026
Back-to-school often comes with its share of lists, purchases, and last-minute preparations. Yet, even before thinking about what to buy, there's often a much more useful step to take: sorting what you already have! Because between clothes that are too small, scattered pencils, half-used notebooks, and a homework corner that's become a catch-all during the summer, it's easy to start the year with more clutter than necessary.
The big back-to-school sort doesn't have to be complicated or per...
The big back-to-school sort doesn't have to be complicated or perfect. The goal isn't to organize every drawer down to the millimeter, but simply to start with a clearer foundation. Seeing what's still good, eliminating what's no longer useful, and bringing a little order to the environment helps prepare for back-to-school much more calmly, and often much more economically.
Start with clothes
Clothes are often the most logical starting point. During the summer, children grow quickly, seasons change, and many items from last year simply won't fit anymore. Sorting now avoids many surprises on the morning of the first day of school.
The ideal is to take out all school-appropriate clothes and review them with simple questions: does it still fit, is it comfortable, is it in good condition?
Here's what might be useful to set aside:
- Clothes that are too small or have become uncomfortable.
- Damaged items that won't really be useful for school.
- Unnecessary duplicates that clutter drawers without being worn.
- Clothes that will need to be replaced soon, even if they still fit for a few weeks.
This sort also helps identify what's truly missing: pants, socks, underwear, shoes, warmer sweaters, a mid-season coat. At this stage, it's easier to avoid impulse purchases because you know exactly what to look for. This little tip can also be very useful to know exactly what you need!
Inventory supplies
Before rushing out to buy a complete list, it's better to check what's already lurking in the house. School supplies tend to multiply from year to year: pencils forgotten in a drawer, new duo-tangs never used, duplicate scissors, partially filled notebooks...
A quick inventory clearly shows what can be salvaged and what needs to be replaced. This can be done very simply, by gathering everything in one place and then sorting by category.
Some items to check:
- Pencils, erasers, and markers: do they still work?
- Notebooks and lined paper: are there new ones or half-used ones?
- Basic accessories: ruler, glue, scissors, pencil sharpener, pencil case.
- School bag and lunch box: are they still in good condition?
- Items to label: water bottle, clothes, indoor shoes, various bags.
The idea isn't to keep everything at all costs, but to intelligently reuse what can truly be useful. A child often starts the year more calmly with simple, complete, and functional supplies than with an accumulation of mismatched items.
Review the workspace
During the summer, the homework corner or children's desk sometimes becomes a multi-purpose area: crafts, coloring, paper storage, temporary storage for everything lying around. Before back-to-school, taking a moment to tidy up this space can make a real difference.
A workspace doesn't need to be large or perfectly decorated to be useful. Above all, it must be clear, accessible, and quiet enough to promote attention.
A few simple adjustments are often enough:
- Completely clear the surface to start fresh.
- Remove anything unrelated to homework or work periods.
- Keep only the essentials within reach: pencils, paper, lamp, timer if needed.
- Plan simple storage for papers, notebooks, and important documents.
- Check the lighting and chair so the child is comfortably seated.
The simpler the space, the easier it will be to use and to keep tidy once the year begins! Use this handy little tip to know exactly what you should include in your homework space!
Don't do it all at once
The big back-to-school sort can quickly seem daunting if you try to tackle everything in one afternoon. It's often better to break it down into small steps: one day for clothes, another for supplies, another time for the desk. This makes the task more realistic and much less overwhelming.
If the children are old enough, they can also participate. Choosing clothes they still like, testing pencils, emptying their bag, or helping prepare their workspace involves them concretely in the transition back to school.
Ultimately, this big sort isn't just about making space in drawers. It's mainly about easing into the new school year. Less ambiguity, less excess, less last-minute searching: all of this helps make back-to-school smoother for the whole family.
The goal isn't to have a perfectly organized home or impeccable preparation. It's simply to create a clearer, more functional, and more peaceful environment to start the year off on the right foot! 🙌