Help For Organizing Your Homeschool Room

July 3, 2019
Written by:
Courtney Newman
Homeschool Resources

Has the school year left your homeschool room looking like complete chaos?  A year full of studying, activities, labs, and research can do that! There you are, sitting at your desk, engulfed in pages of curriculum and scheduling, and you glance up at your school room.  Papers are scattered, notebooks teeter precariously on the edge of a table, and your forgotten microscope is stuffed behind a basket of craft supplies in a cabinet. You don’t even want to try counting the number of pencils in need of a proper home.  So, you take a deep breath and write a note on your to-do list to organize the room before the school year begins.

I don’t know about you, but I get such a thrill from organizing and summer seems like the perfect time to give your school room a makeover!  Nothing has spoken to me more than watching Marie Kondo talk about organization and minimizing clutter. It’s hard as homeschoolers to keep clutter to a minimum, but it definitely is possible to stay organized!  Here are a few suggestions as you reorganize your homeschool room for the coming year.

5 Tips to Organize the Homeschool Room of Your Dreams  

You don’t have to be a minimalist to be organized.  There are many great ways to organize a school room, even with multiple children. It can be a challenge as homeschoolers to keep school supplies organized.  Homeschooling is a huge part of your life, so it’s okay if it’s clearly visible, but at some point, you may prefer a little separation for your own sanity. For instance, consider keeping your “homeschool bookshelves” and your “personal bookshelves” separated by only keeping homeschool-related items on one and personal on the other.

Here are some of our personal favorite ways to organize a homeschool room, even in a small space!

  • Keep Only Current Books on Your Bookshelves.
    • Structure your bookshelves so each shelf has a specific purpose.  As an example, one shelf can be for library books, while another is for daily workbooks and textbooks.  Another shelf may be for literature reading during the year, while a final shelf is for your own grading tools.  Be sure to only keep current books on your bookshelf. Books from previous years should either be stored in bins elsewhere for re-use with another child, sold, donated, or tossed.
  • Declutter Old Items.
    • Here is a popular homeschool organizational concept: If you are bringing in a new item, cycle out an old one.  This sort of minimizing practice helps avoid collecting unnecessary items and creating clutter. Try only keeping what your next child will need to use, in addition to all the records your state requires.  Otherwise, as we mentioned above, sell, donate, recycle, and toss the old curriculum or resources.
  • Label Everything!
    • Labeling is my saving grace!  Labels provide a structure where there is none and a purpose for otherwise unorganized items.  A huge part of homeschool organization involves keeping like with like and having a place for everything.  Labels will help you maintain organization even mid-year. Use labels on shelves, baskets, bins, cabinets, etc.
  • Zone a Room for Schoolwork.
    • If you don’t have an entire room specifically for school, trying zoning your living room or dining room for your homeschool area.  Store your supplies in that area and hang school-related wall art to help your kids focus. Perhaps even consider a room divider!
  • Consider a Central Table.
    • It can be tempting to use individual desks but consider a central table for everyone to work on.  This can help save space if you have a limited area. On another note, if you have a folding table, you can store it away and use the space for other activities if you like.

Our 5 Favorite Organizational Tools

In addition to these tips, here are five great organizational tools for your homeschool!  These will help keep your homeschool room tidy naturally. I have to say, closed storage, bins, baskets, and decorative boxes are probably my favorite ways to organize everything in my life.  The structure of designated “homes” for your things will make a bigger difference than you can imagine!

  • Label Maker.
    • We’ve mentioned the wonder of labels, and with that comes the need for a label maker.  Of course, you could always just purchase labels and sharpies, but we tend to need a lot as homeschoolers.  If you find yourself grabbing for labels each week, a label maker may indeed come in handy.
  • 3-Ring Binders.
    • 3-ring binders are helpful for organizing each child.  Depending on the age of your children, you could use a single binder for each kid, or perhaps a binder for each subject.  Either way, these binders are great for storing notes, reports, papers, worksheets, and more.
  • Closed Storage Cabinets.
    • Whether you have a dedicated homeschool room or simply a homeschool area, closed storage is always helpful.  When the day is over or guests are over, it’s nice to neatly tuck away the homeschool supplies and close the door for a clean surface area.  Especially if you are looking for ways to help your space look less cluttered and “busy,” closed storage can work wonders. I would recommend a few organizational cubes within your cabinets for tidy results, such as baskets, decorative boxes, pen holders, and even flatware caddies or trays!
  • Magazine Holders.
    • Magazine holders are a close second favorite for me after closed storage cabinets.  Specifically, magazine holders are an excellent way of organizing the contents of those storage cabinets or even bookshelves.  You know all of those numerous workbooks, pens, and random items we find ourselves grabbing for daily work? They can now be neatly collected within a magazine holder, and those holders slide nicely onto bookshelves or cabinets.  Use a holder for each subject or even each child! If you color-coordinate the holders, they can also be helpful for helping your young children find their own work to start on in the mornings.
  • A Dry Erase Board.
    • If you do have a dedicated homeschool room, dry erase boards can be wonderful for keeping your area more organized and clutter-free.  Have your kids use the whiteboard for solving problems or drawings, and clean everything off at the end of the day. It saves on paper and supplies!
#HOMESCHOOL ORGANIZATION TIPS

Courtney Newman

Courtney Newman is a homeschooled graduate with a love for writing. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Health Science at University of the People. Other than writing, her hobbies include reading, yoga, visiting the beach, and meditating. She lives with her husband and pets in coastal Virginia.