With the summer break nearing its end, many families are beginning to turn the page and prepare for the start of a new school year.

While daunting at first, there are ways to ease you and your family into the start of school that will set everyone up for success. Getting your home in order is a good way to do that.

Here are some tips to get your home in tip-top shape to start the school year off right.

Create a space for takeoff and landing

One of the busiest places in any home is near the main entrance and exit. Whether you’re heading out for the day or coming back home for a break before homework and dinner, this area of your home can act as the space where things such as backpacks, jackets, shoes and other items can always be stored.

If you have one in your home, a mudroom is perfect for this type of setup. With built-in hooks, shelving and bins, having a one-stop shop for everything will keep things in one area and keep from getting lost. And if you don’t have a mudroom that’s not a problem, as there are multiple ways to create a space of your own that does much of what a mudroom can do.

Fueling up

Creating a station for snacks takes out the guesswork that comes with rummaging through the pantry for a bite as soon as you get home. Having a host of items ready and in one location will help with efficiency and cleanup after.

Having a station will also help on trips to the grocery store, keeping a running list of snacks to keep in stock and the ability to change things up whenever possible.

A place to learn and play

Your home is many things, including the place where children learn to play and play to learn. Having a designated area for play and one for learning will help create an atmosphere where children can understand the difference between playtime and when it’s time to do nightly homework and projects.

Even in a small house, having an area in the kitchen, dining or living room where these can be used interchangeably can still work effectively.

Clear out the closets

As kids grow, so do their wardrobes. Get a head start on creating closet space (and washing space later on) by going through last year’s clothes that no longer fit and making way for this year’s new crop of cool threads and kicks.

One way to do this and lessen clothes’ environmental impact is by donating them to a local charity. Around this time every year, cities and regions hold drives where they collect clothing of all types and sizes that are then distributed to people in need. This also can include school uniforms, backpacks, shoes, books and other supplies as well.

Getting your home ready for the start of the school year is essential for peace of mind before the start of a full year. Just like quality insurance from Westwood protects everything you hold dear. Get a quote today and see how home insurance from Westwood can work for you.

Please Note: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent any specific insurance policy and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions of any current policy.