3 spaces to organize for back-to-school!

For many people, back-to-school means stress, headaches, shopping sprees, meal planning and so on... 

But who said this time of year had to be a burden? To be well prepared for the start of the new school year, you need to feel comfortable in your spaces and in your organizational systems. It goes without saying that if your spaces are cluttered and your routine is not clearly established, it will be more difficult for you to be productive and find your way around. 

Here are 3 spaces to organize to save time and gain peace of mind. 

1. ENTRANCE HALL or VESTIBULE 

Although it is often a small space, the entrance hall is a important location even crucial for organization of personal effects and the time management of any family. Since it's a place of transition for arrivals and departures, you need to use the right tools in order to optimize this space! 

Here are a few handy tools to help you do just that: 

Wall hooks:

Install them at a reachable height for your children and at a standard height for you and your guests. By using wall space, you'll save space additional storage and avoid so clutter your hall wardrobe. Also, by placing the hooks at the right height for your children, it will be easier for them to hang their things (school bag, coat, umbrella) and not leave them lying around on the floor. 

You can even add small hooks just next to the front door to store your keys, so you don't have to search for them and arrive late for school or work. 

 

 

 

The shoe cupboard:

The shoe cupboard is very practical for storing not only your everyday shoes, but also other personal belongings such as handbags, sunglasses, umbrellas or any other item that needs to be within easy reach (your keys if the cupboard has a small tote drawer). 

Thanks to its sleek, compact design, you'll save space, save storage space and give your entrance hall a great look! Personally, I like theIkea and Canadian Tire because they're affordable and get the job done. 

 

 

Storage baskets:

They are ideal for inserting toquesthe scarvesthe mittens and any other accessory that the family owns in pairs or large quantity that you don't want to lose in the back of your wardrobe. 

So make sure you group visit pairs together, put them in the same bin or storage basket and identify content if it's an opaque basket. This will make it easier for everyone to put items back in the right place after use. Children's baskets should be placed at a distance suitable height for their size, while the adult baskets can easily be placed on a shelf at the top of the wardrobe. 

 

 

2. THE OFFICE

Before starting your working day, it is essential to declutter your workspace. Your office space should be freed up as much as possible to allow you to have the space you need. clear ideas, dto avoid any form of distraction andbe more efficient. It's the perfect way to start the day!  

First and foremost, tidy up objects and papers on your desk to their respective placeIf not, find them a home. Be aware that an orphaned object will often be the origin of theaccumulation and thefootprint. 

To avoid this, it may be useful to install a perforated board on the wall. So you can insert your pencil containersglue your memory aids and hang your calendar if you're more of a paper calendar type. 

 

 

If you need to keep receipts or invoices in paper format, make sure you have a filing cabinet or in accordion as well as from sectors well identified so you can organize your paperwork. You'll be quicker to find your supporting documents if the tax auditor decides to pay you a visit 😉 

If you have switched todigital erathe same rule applies... Are you one of those people who leave their files on the bureau/desktop from their computer? If so, be sure to rename your files when you download and create folders to classify them. If you don't, you'll find it harder to find your way around. 

Establishing the right tree and nomenclature to organize your files, use the right email, calendar and appointment management tools for a more efficient use of your time. digital organization is an art in itself. If you're feeling overwhelmed by managing your digital world, StéZen can help you! 

 

3. THE KITCHEN

As we all know, meal planning, Tupperware and lunchbox management is a full-time job in itself, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed just thinking about it. 

To avoid having the task rest solely on your shoulders, invite all family members to get involved in the development of the meal calendarto the lunch preparation and maintaining storage space from the kitchen. 

Meal calendar :

Take yourself one to two weeks in advance so that everyone can give ideas for meals and snacks based on their tastes and preferences. Once you've completed the calendar, display it clearly in the kitchen, either on the fridge or on a chalkboard. By planning ahead, you'll avoid any last-minute surprises, and it'll be that much easier to make your grocery list.

Meal preparation :

If you want your children to develop their resourcefulness and become real little Boyardi chefs, you need to teach them from an early age. Teach them how to prepare simple meals for breakfast and lunch, and how to organize their lunch boxes with meals and snacks, making sure, of course, that the menu is varied, healthy and balanced.  

Maintaining storage space :

Are you like many people who dread the Tupperware cupboard the most? 

Having experienced the ups and downs of this wardrobe myself, I've finally found THE solution to get rid of it. Here's my magic recipe: 

• Classify dishes according to their type Choose the shape (square, rectangle, round) and material (plastic, glass, Pyrex) and fit them together, from largest to smallest.
• Add small occasional shelves to create high sections and place your dishes in them according to the categories you've defined. 

 

• Glue self-adhesive transparent plastic containers inside cabinet doors to save space and store your lids. 

• If your storage space allows you to glue several of these containers together, also store the lids by shape. 
• If you have a labeler, Print labels to identify each shape and affix them to the front of lidded containers.

And there you have it! By reorganizing these 3 spaces in a more ZEN way, your daily routine will be greatly simplified, I tell you! 

If you feel the need to call on a professional organizer to help you with any of the steps involved in de-clutterment, d'organization of physical spaces and digital or if you would like to have coaching on how to get organized, don't hesitate to contact us. contact !