It’s the time of year when summer bliss is replaced by back-to-school excitement – or dread, if you’re worried about the whirlwind of chaos that school year preparations can create.
If you’re looking to restore some order to your home and fight the first-day jitters, these home upgrades might be just what you need to help bring harmony to your days.
Establish a drop zone
When little feet come running through the door, they won’t make it very far before shoes, bags, papers, and anything else have been cast aside. Ramping up your mudroom to handle this load and making it easy for your kids to stow away their items will keep their stuff from immediately being strewn around the house.
When it comes to mudroom essentials, here’s what you should look for:
- Easy shoe storage
- Plenty of bag and coat hooks
- A bench for getting shoes on and off (so they aren’t tempted to take muddy sneakers all the way to the kitchen)
- A spot where papers requiring attention can be left
- Storage for sports gear, musical instruments – whatever activities your kids have picked up in the new year!
Upgrade your pantry
The school season is where the kitchen faces high pressure situations – the scramble to get lunches packed in the morning, and the pre-dinner rummaging the kids will do as soon as they get home.
Upgrading the storage your kitchen has to keep plenty of lunch fare and backup snacks on stop will make the mornings smoother, and lead to a lot less hangry afternoon tantrums. Installing drawers into your closets and cabinets is one way to maximize space.
Create a homework spot
Not everyone is a fan of homework to say the least, but a comfortable place to buckle down and work could help your kids get the job done. A calm area with plenty of room to spread out books, papers, and other supplies, and comfy seating is a great start; adding a clock and trashcan are ways to keep kids from finding reasons to get up and break their focus.
A second kitchen island is perfect for kids that don’t want to be cut off from the rest of the family, but need some square footage to spread out.
Put hard work on display
If you don’t like having a fridge with papers fluttering in the breeze every time you open its doors, you can find other spots to display your kids’ artwork, grades, and other school year memorabilia. A large bulletin board, situated near the family calendar, is a great alternative.
Add organization to the children’s bedrooms
With days filled with classes and activities, bedrooms should be up for the challenge of handling multiple quick-changes per day. A hamper and plenty of storage will help keep your kid’s room from turning into a sea of clothes. Built-in storage and custom closets can make a world of difference on the organization front, as well as bins for separating different clothing types and toys.
Create a calming corner to disconnect and recharge
The school year can bring anxiety for some, so it’s important to have a dedicated area for unwinding. After all, kids need to just be kids while they still can. A space for hanging out with friends, playing games, reading, and anything else that helps them de-stress will help them show up for their studies refreshed and feeling good. A finished basement can become the perfect chill center to take a break from homework and test prep.
Smarten up with fresh tech
Here are a few tech investments that could make your routine just a little bit more seamless:
- A thermostat that auto-adjusts when no one’s home. Don’t heat or cool a house while it sits empty for hours; there are thermostats that can be set to automatically lower or raise at certain times of the day, for energy and cost savings.
- Lights can also be put on timers, for those in the home that may have more than a little trouble getting up in the morning. You can even set them up to gradually come on, so it’s a little less jarring but still gets the job done.
- For extra peace of mind (especially if your kids are forgetful texters), consider upgrading your security system to keep watch on your kids’ comings and goings from school. Knowing your kids got home safe is just one less thing to worry about.
IHR will help you achieve your dream routine!
A home that’s perfect for your needs will help you live a better life. Innovative Home Renovations has a team of experts ready to design and build a Seattle remodeling project that is completely customized to you. With the help of experts, you know you’ll be making the most of your Seattle home. Contact a project manager to begin!
by Haley Carroll