The end of January signals the end of summer holidays for many in Australia and the return to the daily grind. For hundreds of households, that includes back to school for the kids and all of the scheduling, organising, planning, packing and chaos that goes along with it.
To avoid the stress of strict schedules kicking in, why not plan to succeed by following the lead of one Mum’s clever Kmart hack, designed to streamline getting ready in the morning and make it a stress-free process?
Ballina Mum of six Jessica-Louise Groves created a designated zone for her children to store their school belongings and help mornings run more smoothly. Her savvy storage system is made from Kmart storage finds and includes a Command hook and space to hang their school bags, shelves for shoes and hats, plus baskets for notes, library books and artwork. The entire school bag station costs less than $130!
“Being organised and having routine is very important in our household,” Jessica-Louise told Better Homes and Gardens.
HERE’S THE SETUP:
- 2 x Kmart 8-cube shelves for personalised pigeonholes at $40 each
- 4 x black wire baskets on top of the unit with a nameplate for each child at $5 each
- 4 x collapsible cubes at $4 each
How to organise your kids for school in the morning
Key to Jessica-Louise’s success is having everything prepared and ready a day ahead. “I get the kids’ clothes/uniforms ready and laid out the night before, have dance/swimming/soccer bags packed and ready, I pack lunches and fill drink bottles the night before, I write a “to do” list for the following day and in the morning set out fresh pyjamas (and nappies for the little ones) ready for after their baths that night,” she said.
We love this idea. What are your fail-proof hacks to get everyone out of the house on time and with everything they need?
Try these:
01
Command designer hooks (2 hooks, 4 strips) in White, Target
$4.89
Command strips are a home decorator’s best friend and there are always new styles and clever ideas coming online in the range. These classic white hooks are a great way to coordinate your hanging storage right throughout your home.
02
Collapsible storage cube basket in Natural, Spotlight
$12 (usually $30)
Hide all manner of life’s little necessities in these handy hold-all baskets. Measuring 32x32x32cm, line them up for a textural touch in the hallway, laundry or kids’ bedroom, the woven water hyacinth will soften the look of solid storage. Tip: be sure to measure the internal cavity of your storage unit before you buy and take a tape measure to the shops to check for a good fit. Handwoven baskets can vary in size.
03
‘Sperling’ foldable storage cube, Big W
$4
Also available in white, the ‘Coda’ storage system is a fabulously flexible range that lends itself to streamlined storage anywhere in the home. Choose from drawer units, bookcases and modular cubes – there’s even a drop-down desk unit – to blend, yet personalise each room.
Be sure to measure the internal cavity of your storage unit before you buy and take a tape measure to the shops to check for a good fit. Handwoven baskets can vary in size.
TIP:
04
‘Vivonne’ shelf unit, Freedom
$55 (usually $69.95)
Made from bamboo, this open shelf has a lovely light colour and natural mould-resistant properties so would sit well in a wet room or laundry. Place as few or as many as you need side-by-side in your hallway and while you’re at it, consider adding the Vivonne shoe rack to create a surface to style up at your entrance.
05
8 cube shelf storage unit in White, Big W
$55
This affordable unit might be the starting point for your new, organised life. Simple and lightweight, add baskets or storage cubes to personalise the look in your home.
06
‘Coda’ 4 cube shelf in Oak, Fantastic Furniture
$89
Choose this timber finish, crisp white or a combination of the two, the ‘Coda’ storage system is a fabulously flexible range that lends itself to streamlined storage anywhere in the home. Choose from drawer units, bookcases and modular cubes – there’s even a drop-down desk unit – to blend, yet personalise each room.
