Organization Hacks to Streamline Your Morning
September is coming…
Mornings can be rough, whether you’re getting yourself out the door or wrangling the whole family. It always feels like there’s never enough time. But with some tweaked systems in those high-traffic areas of your home and a bit of prep the night before, mornings can be so much easier. As professional organizers we’ve helped tons of people figure out where their routines could use a little boost. Sometimes, it’s about setting up a command center by the door for easy access to keys, mail, calendars, sports gear, and workbags. Other times, we’ve helped create a task calendar that keeps everyone on the same page. So, here are some of our favorite strategies and hacks to help you streamline your morning routine and get everyone out the door with less stress.
1. Hack Your Evening Routine
The key to a smooth morning often lies in what you do the night before. Prepping in the evening can save you time and reduce stress when you’re in a rush. This doesn’t need to be a huge amount of time, commit to 30 minutes each evening for one week and watch your mornings become easier to manage.
Outfit Prep: Pick out clothes for the next day before you go to bed. Lay out everything you need, including shoes and accessories, so you’re not wasting time in the morning deciding what to wear. This works for both kids and adults—getting everyone involved can help avoid last-minute wardrobe dilemmas.
Lunch Prep: Pack lunches or at least get a head start by preparing non-perishable items the night before. If you’ve got a family to feed, consider setting up a lunch station with easy-to-grab items, so everyone can help themselves.
Bag Prep: Make sure all bags—backpacks, briefcases, gym bags—are packed and ready to go. Place them by the door to avoid morning scrambles looking for that missing homework or laptop.
2. Set Up a Command Center
A family command center is your hub for staying organized and on track. It’s a centralized space that keeps everything you need in one place.
Master Calendar: Keep a big family calendar where everyone can see it. Use it to track activities, appointments, and important deadlines. Whether you go for a digital calendar synced across devices or a physical one on the wall, it helps everyone stay on the same page.
Daily Checklists: Create simple to-do lists for each family member, outlining what they need to accomplish before heading out. This could include tasks like grabbing a snack, feeding the dog, or making sure their homework is packed.
Essentials Spot: Designate a spot in your command center for daily essentials—keys, wallets, phones, and chargers. Keeping everything in one place means no more frantic searches when you’re already running late.
3. Simplify Breakfast
Breakfast can be one of the most time-consuming parts of the morning. Simplify it with a few hacks that keep everyone fed without slowing you down.
Breakfast Station: Set up a breakfast station with easy options like cereal, fruit, and yogurt. If hot breakfasts are your thing, try prepping make-ahead meals like overnight oats or breakfast burritos that just need a quick reheat in the morning.
Morning Timers: Use timers or alarms to keep everyone on track. Set one for when breakfast should be done, another for getting dressed, and a final one as the signal that it’s time to head out the door.
Prep Ahead: If your mornings are particularly rushed, consider prepping breakfast the night before. Chopping fruit, setting out dishes, and prepping coffee can all help save precious minutes in the morning.
4. Organize Your Entryway
The entryway is the last stop before you leave the house, so it’s crucial to keep this area organized and efficient.
Shoe Solutions: Keep a shoe rack or bin near the door for easy access. Make it a habit for everyone to place their shoes there as soon as they come home. This keeps the area tidy and ensures shoes are ready to go in the morning.
Coat Hooks: Install hooks or a coat rack to keep jackets, bags, and umbrellas organized. This way, everything you need is in one place, making it easier to grab and go.
Drop Zone: Create a drop zone with bins or trays for small items like keys, wallets, and sunglasses. This not only helps you avoid losing these essentials but also keeps your entryway clutter-free.
5. Involve the Whole Family
A smooth morning routine is a team effort. Get everyone involved in these organization hacks to share the load and keep things running smoothly.
Task Assignments: Assign specific tasks to each family member based on their age and abilities. Kids can handle things like setting the table for breakfast or feeding pets, while adults can focus on prepping lunches or packing bags.
Routine Practice: If your mornings are still chaotic, take a few days to practice your routine with the whole family. Go through the steps together and make adjustments as needed until everything flows smoothly.
Stay Flexible: No routine is perfect, so be ready to tweak things as needed. The key is to stay flexible and make changes when something isn’t working, rather than getting frustrated.
6. Consistency is Your Best Friend
The final hack is all about consistency. The more you stick to your organized routine, the easier and more natural it will become. Over time, these small changes will add up, leading to stress-free mornings where everyone gets out the door on time. With a little planning and some smart strategies, you’ll be able to start your day on the right foot, every day.
Centered Space specializes in collaborating with clients and renovation tradespeople to optimize renovations for maximum organization and functionality.
Check out our Pre & Post Renovation services for more details.🌵🏠
