Prepare You Home & Family for Fall

As summer winds down and the routines of the school year settle into place, early fall is a great time to reset your home and prepare for the season ahead. A few simple maintenance and organization tasks now can help your household feel refreshed, organized, and ready for the busier months to come.

1. Clean, Declutter, and Store Summer Gear

Take some time to sort through your beach and pool supplies, cleaning items as you go and discarding anything that is broken or worn out. Do the same with outdoor gear such as lawn chairs, coolers, sports equipment, and gardening supplies. In Atlanta, you may continue using patio furniture well into the fall, but now is a good time to clean it, make any needed repairs, and decide where it will eventually be stored.

2. Refresh School and Household Supplies

Now that the school year is underway, take note of which supplies your family is actually using—and which ones may already be running low. Toss dried-out markers, broken crayons, and anything that is no longer usable. Donate gently used items you no longer need, then organize the remaining supplies so homework and school projects are easier to manage.

3. Review Your Wardrobes

Begin moving lightweight summer pieces out of the way and bring fall clothing to the front of your closets. Donate anything your family has outgrown or did not wear this season, and check fall clothing for fit and condition. Making a list of any gaps before you shop can help you avoid unnecessary purchases.

4. Reevaluate Your Drop Zones

Think about what would help your family’s daily routine run more smoothly. Would a few additional hooks help manage jackets, backpacks, and sports bags? Could your homework or work-from-home area be more functional? If paperwork tends to pile up, create a simple filing system and give each family member a designated inbox or folder.

5. Update the Family Calendar

Whether you prefer a large paper calendar or a digital one, having one central place for everyone’s commitments can make a big difference for a busy family. Add school events, sports practices, appointments, holidays, and upcoming travel plans now so important dates do not slip through the cracks.

I recently asked friends and family about their favorite calendar systems, and these were some of the most popular choices:

• A dry-erase board or large paper calendar in the kitchen

• A shared Outlook or Google calendar

• A Skylight Calendar

• An old-school paper planner
  

Many families find that a combination works best: a large calendar displayed in a central location, paired with a shared digital calendar that can be updated on the go.

Preparing for fall does not have to mean reorganizing your entire home in one weekend. Tackling just a few of these projects at a time can help your home feel more orderly, your routines run more smoothly, and your family feel ready for the season ahead.