Back to School, Back to Basics

There’s something about back-to-school season that feels like a fresh start.

The backpacks come back out. Calendars start filling up. Bedtimes get a little earlier. Mornings require a little more planning.

And even if you don’t have school-aged children at home, this time of year has a way of reminding us that sometimes, it’s good to get back to the basics.

Not a complete home makeover. Not a complicated new routine.

Just a few simple resets that make home feel a little easier.

1. Reset the Drop Zone

You know the spot.

Shoes. Keys. Mail. Backpacks. Handbags. Chargers. Random things that somehow make their way through the front door and never leave. 😂

Choose one designated landing place near the entrance of your home and give everything a home.

A few hooks, a basket for shoes, a small tray for keys and a place for incoming papers can make a surprisingly big difference.

The goal isn't perfection.

It's making tomorrow morning easier.

2. Get the Kitchen Back to Basics

Summer can be wonderfully unstructured—but once schedules pick back up, the kitchen usually feels it first.

Take 20 minutes this week to reset the things you reach for most.

Clear out expired food. Restock a few grab-and-go snacks. Put lunch supplies together. Decide on three or four easy meals you know your family will actually eat.

You don't need a Pinterest-worthy pantry.

You need a kitchen that works for the life you're actually living.

3. Simplify the Morning

If your mornings feel rushed, look at what can happen the night before.

Lay out clothes.

Pack bags.

Charge devices.

Put keys where they belong.

Check tomorrow's calendar.

Even ten minutes of preparation at night can completely change the way your morning feels.

And that's really what we're after—less scrambling and a little more peace.

4. Do a Household Check-In

Back-to-school season is also a great time for a quick financial and household reset.

What subscriptions are you still paying for?

What household supplies are running low?

Are there maintenance items you've been putting off?

What expenses are coming up over the next few months?

You don't need an elaborate spreadsheet. Sometimes simply knowing what's coming is enough to help you feel more in control of your home.

5. Create One Calm Space

Before fall schedules get completely underway, choose one area of your home that you want to feel good when you walk into it.

Maybe it's your bedroom.

Your kitchen counter.

The chair where you drink your morning coffee.

Your front porch.

Clear it off. Clean it up. Add something you enjoy—a candle, plant, lamp, throw or fresh flowers.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

Sometimes making house home is simply paying attention to the spaces we already have.

Back to Basics

We spend so much time thinking about what we need to add to our homes.

More storage. More organization. More décor. More space.

But sometimes the answer isn't more.

Sometimes it's getting back to what works.

A place for the things we use every day. A little preparation for tomorrow. A kitchen that functions. A handle on our household expenses. And at least one corner of home that gives us room to breathe.

That's what Making House Home is really about.

Not creating a perfect home.

Creating one that works for the people who live there.

Until next time...

 

— The HomeGirl® & Company

Making House Home