The end of summer always seems to arrive in a rush. One minute it’s slow mornings and outdoor play, the next it’s packed lunches, PE kits and the school run. That shift can quickly throw a household into chaos - shoes disappear just when they’re needed, school bags pile up in the hallway, and uniforms are never where they should be.
Keeping the house tidy amongst all the back-to-school chaos can be easily achieved with a few storage tips. What matters is having storage that makes school mornings less hectic and helps keep clutter from piling up. Simple, useful ideas that fit into real family life.
1. Create a Dedicated Drop Zone
It helps to have a dedicated spot where all the school bits and pieces go. A clear, reliable space where bags, coats, shoes and lunchboxes land the moment everyone walks through the door. Setting one up near the front door or in the hallway keeps the chaos contained and saves time when you're heading out again.
Hallway storage baskets work well for this. Use one for each child, or separate items by type (e.g. shoes in one, lunchboxes in another, essentials like water bottles and reading books in a third). Adding name tags or labels makes it easier for everyone to find their things without digging around.
2. Sort the School Bags
School bags have a habit of ending up in the middle of the floor, usually right where someone’s about to trip over them. A few small changes can stop that becoming a daily frustration.
Low hooks are an easy fix, especially for younger children who can’t reach higher up. If there’s space, a row of cubbies or a hallway shelf can help keep bags from piling up on the floor. For bigger items or anything you’d rather not have on show, Our large lidded baskets offer a simple, good-looking way to keep the mess out of sight but still close to hand.
3. Tame the Paperwork & Letters
Letters, homework, and permission slips build up fast. Left unchecked, they end up scattered across the house, crumpled in bags, or completely forgotten.
An in-tray system helps keep the chaos under control. Give each child their own tray, something like shallow trays works well. They’re wide enough for school papers, easy to label, and sturdy enough to cope with daily use.
Pick a time each week to deal with it all (Friday after school or Sunday evening tends to work for most families). Go through the trays, sign what needs signing, and clear out anything that’s no longer needed. Simple routine, less stress.
4. Stationery & Homework Zones That Stay Tidy
When it’s time to sit down and get homework done, the last thing anyone wants is a hunt for a missing pencil or ruler. Small baskets and trays can be an easy way to avoid all that hassle and keep all your stationary and homework-related items in a compact, dedicated space. Children’s baskets are the right size for storing stationery, easy to move around, and help keep surfaces clear when the job’s done.
5. Uniforms & PE Kits - Ready to Grab
There’s nothing like the last-minute realisation that someone’s PE kit is still in the wash. Rather than digging through laundry piles or bedroom floors, it helps to have one clear spot where kits and uniforms always live.
A dedicated basket per child keeps everything contained and easy to grab - no chaos. Wovenhill’s lidded linen baskets are ideal here. They’re breathable, look good in any room, and hold just enough to keep school gear organised without taking over the space.
6. Lunch Prep Made Easier
Lunchtime always seems to sneak up fast, and nothing slows down a morning like a missing lunchbox. A dedicated basket for lunch gear keeps everything together - think lunchboxes, reusable snack bags, and water bottles all in one spot.
For anything that needs chilling, fridge baskets are a great shout. Group yoghurts, fruit, and prepped snacks so kids can quickly grab what they need (and you know it’s ready to go). If Wovenhill’s range includes fridge storage, this is a neat way to extend your basket system into the kitchen.
7. Seasonal & Rotation Storage
Bulky coats, muddy boots, or that summer cricket kit don’t need to clog up the hallway year-round. Rotate out-of-season items into stackable baskets or under-bed storage. That way, what you actually need stays accessible, while the rest is packed neatly out of sight. Larger baskets are sturdy enough for heavy items but still look good wherever you put them.
8. Make It Easy for Kids to Use
The best storage system is one kids can actually follow. Open baskets, labels, and visible spots mean they can put things away themselves instead of piling them on the floor. Keep it simple - one basket for shoes, another for bags, another for homework - and suddenly tidying up isn’t a battle.
Storage That Looks Good
It’s worth saying: practical storage doesn’t have to mean plastic tubs everywhere. Wovenhill’s baskets are made from natural materials with soft, neutral tones that blend into family homes rather than sticking out. They’re solid enough to survive daily use, but stylish enough to sit proudly in the hallway or living room. Wovenhill baskets are designed to fit beautifully into busy family homes - practical and good-looking in one.
The back-to-school season will always be a little hectic, but it doesn’t have to tip into full-blown mayhem. With a few smart storage habits, mornings feel calmer, evenings run smoother, and the whole routine stops revolving around lost shoes and missing PE kits.
Start small - one or two baskets in the hallway, a tray for school papers, or a dedicated spot for uniforms and you’ll quickly notice the difference. These simple tweaks don’t just keep clutter at bay, they give the whole household a sense of order that lasts well beyond September
