Home Hang Up Series: Summer Clutter & What To Do With It

I am coming up for air after a whirlwind of what I like to call May-hem. Travel ,last week of school, and some medical testing for my daughter. I am looking forward to what summer break brings. The extra hours of sunlight, later rise times and bedtimes, gathering with friends and family, pool time, and all the fun outdoor meals and snacks. In the same vein, dare I say I am dreading some of the things that brings with it?

While I love this time of year, I have to lean heavily on some systems of organization to prevent myself from drowning in all of the extra clutter! Our home easily can become a showcase explosion of all of these wonderful summer adventures spilling over onto our countertops and around the house. A few ideas that have worked for us…

Shoe drop zone - We have a landing zone for shoes right now in our half finished mudroom on the side of our house. This keeps the mud, sand, dirt, etc. out of the dining room, but also helps the kids know where to find their sandals and shoes. I have small bins for the younger ones, and the older ones put theirs on these shoe mats if they are wet or muddy. We also have a storage bench for shoes I collect around the house because let’s be real - kids sometimes remember to put their shoes away, but even with frequent reminders I am collecting them all day.