The holidays are flying by. Before we know it, September will be on the horizon, as will the first day of school.
Get ahead of the game with our simple hacks to make the back-to-school transition less stressful. Whether you’ve always wanted to create an enviable home study space or transform your hallway into a highly efficient area for getting them out of the door quickly, follow along for our tips on getting the kids excited for their return and how to prepare for the new term.
Uniform ready
Once you’ve ordered, washed and labelled all the uniforms, a great way to keep them organised is by having a separate storage area from everyday clothing.
Find everything quickly in the morning by using a narrow folding wardrobe and get ahead by displaying the first week’s worth of uniforms in day order. Or better yet, delegate with these stacking cubes and drawers: label and allocate a drawer for each category of clothing – polo shirts, jumpers, trousers, pinafores, underwear and socks etc, giving children the responsibility of getting their own uniforms ready in a fun way.
Hallway organisation
Getting out of the door first thing can be chaotic. For a stress-free morning routine, have school bags sorted, coats hung up and shiny new shoes ready for their first outing with some fab hallway storage. Hooks, shoe racks and a console table will do the trick – a place for everything, allowing the whole family to know where their personal belongings are kept, and save on a cluttered hall at the end of the school day. No more shoes, PE kits, laptops and school bags strewn on the floor!
Get ahead for the day
Breakfast is key for fuelling the kids. Our ultimate time-saving tip is to set the table and prepare any packed lunches the night before to give yourself a head start – your morning self will thank you. Sitting down around the table before everyone starts their day, even for a short period, is great for touching base and talking through the day ahead, alleviating any first-day nerves.
Homework zone
Create a homework area they’ll love to study in. Whether you’re tight on space or have a dedicated playroom, there are many desk options to suit all needs. This mini desk is perfect for fitting within a bedroom and can double up as a dressing table. Or, why not look into integrated storage styles like a leaning ladder desk? This would look great in a living room or open-plan setting, where pictures and trinkets can be displayed on the shelves above.
Let your child take ownership of their space with this brilliant range of desk storage to display, tidy and curate all their prized stationery pieces. A stacking storage trolley can also house all those arts and crafts essentials and is easily moved between rooms.
Flying the nest
If your child is off to uni, you may want to make use of their room during term time (if allowed!). If they’re keen to take their bedroom furniture with them, replacing it with multifunctional pieces is the key to flexible space usage.
A sofa bed that transforms from a snug sofa to a cosy sleep space with minimal effort is worth the investment. A striking screen can be used to divide a room and repurpose it into a home office or hobby area. If your teen is starting uni, check out our handy guide to help them get set up with all the essential gear.
With a few weeks still left in the holidays, why not stay ahead of the game? Visit us online or stop by our store to explore our range of back-to-school items while our Ultimate Sale is on. Bring the kids along and let us help you find everything you need for a smooth transition.