Prepare You Home & Family for Fall

As the new school year begins and summer draws to a close, August provides the perfect window to both maintain your home and prepare for the new season ahead. This guide combines proactive home maintenance tasks with simple, strategic decluttering - so you’ll move into the fall season feeling organized, refreshed, and ready.

1. Clean, Declutter, and Store Your Summer Gear: Take some time to go through all of your beach and pool supplies, cleaning items as you go and discarding any items that are broken. Do the same for your home's outdoor gear (patio furniture, lawn chairs, coolers, etc..) so that they can be safely stored for the winter months.

2. Purge and Re-Stock School Supplies: Toss dried-out markers, broken crayons, and anything that’s no longer usable. Donate gently used items that are still in good condition, but no longer needed. Once you've cleared the clutter, purchase any needed items and organize your supplies so everything is easy to find when school starts.

3. Review Your Wardrobes: Pack away lightweight items you won’t need and donate anything you didn’t wear this season. Check your fall clothing for fit and condition, making note of any gaps to fill. A quick closet refresh now makes the seasonal transition smoother and helps you head into fall feeling organized and prepared.

4. Re-Evaluate Drop Zones: Think about what could help your family’s routine run more smoothly. Would a few extra hooks in the entryway help manage coats and backpacks? Maybe it's time to create a more functional workspace or study area. If paperwork tends to pile up, set up a simple filing system and give each family member their own inbox to keep things organized from the start.

5. Update the Family Calendar: Whether you prefer a large paper calendar or a digital one, having a single, central calendar can make all the difference for a busy family. Choose your format and set it up now, adding key dates and events to stay ahead of the game.