If you didn’t get organized before school started, don’t worry—it’s not too late! With these practical back-to-school organization tips, you can take control of the school-year clutter and create a smoother routine for your family.

“In summer, everyone is busy and would rather be outside in nice weather instead of cleaning up their closets,” said Debra Serota, owner of Sort It Out Philly in Philadelphia. “It’s important to make time, whether it’s 30 minutes a night or one day a month, to go through your stuff and do the work.”

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on cute bins, STOP.

“You need a strategy first. Take inventory of what you have before you buy supplies,” said Janet Bernstein, owner of The Organizing Professionals in Wayne. “Never buy organizing supplies before you know what you need.”

Experts recommend making time regularly to organize, even if it’s just 30 minutes a day or once a month. Before buying bins or supplies, take inventory of what you already have to avoid unnecessary purchases.

Tame the Paper Frenzy

Keep school paperwork under control with color-coded folders for each child. Sort new papers daily to stay on top of important forms and notices. Check them daily, from the first day to the last one, said Carrie Kauffman, owner of Carrie’s Essential Services in Bryn Mawr.

Decluttering Bedrooms

Bedrooms can become clutter magnets, especially with kids constantly growing and changing. Discover easy ways to declutter dressers and drawers regularly to keep clothes sorted, donate unused items, and create a tidy, stress-free space.

Backpack Station

“If you build it, they will come,” Kauffman said. Setting up a designated area for backpacks, coats, and shoes near your entryway helps kids develop good habits and keeps your home organized. Find ideas for building a drop zone that works for all seasons and family members.

Homework Station

The age of your child will influence what you need in a homework station. “A lot of younger kids do homework in the kitchen or dining room because they need help,” said Anna Sicalides, founder of Your Organizing Consultants in Berwyn.

Whether your child works best at the kitchen table or a dedicated space, creating an organized homework station stocked with supplies helps build responsibility and makes homework time less stressful for everyone.

“It’s critical to keep as much as possible stored in the same area. It helps keep things consistently organized,” Serota said.

Organizing Artwork

Kids bring home mountains of artwork every year, but you don’t have to keep every piece. Explore fun and creative ideas for showcasing their creations, storing favorites, and preserving memories without clutter.

If your kids are involved in activities, expect the flow to increase, Sicalides said. Children in daycare, preschool, and kindergarten will bring home the most — finger paintings and crayon scribbles that are adorable at the moment but lose cachet as their numbers grow. The flow of artwork will slow down as they get older. Meanwhile, be deliberate in choosing what you want to keep. “If it doesn’t speak to you, toss it,” she said.

Creative Ways to Organize Kids’ Schoolwork and Art

Scan it. Undecided about what to do with artwork? Snap a photo with your phone. Create a keepsake book of photos online (try My Storybook or Artkive) to give grandparents at the end of the year, Sicalides said.

Display it. For boosting self-esteem and confidence, display the pieces in your own art museum. Create a space using frames or tacky tape, or string a clothesline across a child’s room or the family room, hanging artwork with clothespins.

“Update it regularly as better stuff comes in,” Sicalides said. Visitors will delight in this special gallery — and you’ll be proud of your organizing creativity.

Find a Folio. For artwork that doesn’t fit neatly in a letter-size file folder, Bernstein directs parents to Michael’s or any art shop for an artist’s portfolio. It’s like a giant envelope. Buy one for each budding Degas, decorate it if you want, and be choosy about the portfolio’s art.

File it. For regular papers, like permissions slips, after-school flyers, and fundraising information, Serota keeps a file folder for reference. She tosses the contents at the end of the school year. For older students, try designating a clean space on the kitchen counter, or in a home office, as the place your child can put forms for your review and signature.

Who, What, When, Where Organizers

Most school programs and activities send out a calendar with a schedule. Store important events, parent meetings, and doctor’s appointments coordinated in your phone calendar, Serota said, or use a family calendar app like Cozi. Designate one parent as the calendar manager to avoid mix-ups. For easy reference, tape activity calendars inside kitchen cabinets—skip whiteboards and chalkboards, which require frequent updates.

Now go get started — and be sure to show off once you’re beautifully organized. Your effort deserves to be celebrated!

This article has been updated by Sarah Heyman.

Photographs via iStock.