MINNEAPOLIS - School is back in session and that means schedules are packed once again, leaving little time to keep your home organized.
Clutter can be a major stressor, making life more difficult for busy families. But, with a few changes to storage inside your home, you can de-stress and easily keep your home - and life - more organized.
Katie Jaydan, a senior designer with White Crane Construction out of Minneapolis, talked with KARE 11 Sunrise about the best ways to get your home back-to-school ready.
RELATED: How to declutter for the school year
First, it starts with getting every member of the family on the same page, she said.
"It’s important that everyone knows where their stuff is supposed to go and that the plan works for them," explained Jaydan. "When looking at how to organize, make sure everyone has easy access to the things they use every day -- sports equipment, school supplies, computer or tablets. That will be the key to staying organized the entire school year.”
The most important areas to have designated storage in your home are in mudrooms and study areas.
For some families, space constraints can affect organization. The key, according to Jaydan, is using your space effectively.
"As a home designer, I can tell you that there is always space that can be organized more efficiently!" she said. "Take a hard look at your home. Is there a corner of a bedroom where you could fit a small work area or drop zone? Areas around doors are also a commonly overlooked place for added storage. A lot of times, people get stuck in their houses and can’t see how the space should work for their family."
Some of the most difficult items to keep organized are tech gadgets. From charging cords, to the devices themselves, it seems overwhelming - but the solution is pretty simple, according to Jaydan.
"We install a charging station or tech drop zones by the front door or in the kitchen all the time," she said. "You can even just switch out outlets for USB outlets in your kitchen. A trick to getting all of the gadgets organized and getting family time in the process is to install charging outlets in kitchen or office drawers. That way, in order for the kids to charge their gadgets, they have to put them away first!”
We know what you're thinking - sure, this sounds great now in September, but what about when we're in the thick of the school year?
“Start it off right by getting a system in place," Jaydan said. "Make a plan with your child. Where will their backpack go after school? Where will homework be done? Having a game plan and sticking to it will create good habits."
For more information on storage solutions, visit the White Crane Construction website here.
