5 tips to get your home in order for back-to-school season.

1. Get your home organized.

If you’re like the rest of us, you may find it nearly impossible to clean, tidy and get rid of junk when the kids are around. Now that they’re back in school, you can Marie-Kondo it up with the help of a junk removal service and a home organizer.

A pro can help you decide which items to keep, sell or donate. They can also take it a step further and help you reorganize your kids' bedrooms, all of your closets and even your kitchen — wherever you need to clear up space in your home.

Looking to rearrange your kitchen to make meal-prepping easier? Organize your dry goods into food containers, keep track of meals on a calendar you can hang on your fridge, create a prep station on your counter and make sure you have quick access to tools you’ll need everyday (cutting board, knives, plastic baggies, etc).

You can also assemble some shelves or set up a few cubbies to organize your kids’ toys, books, pencils and clothes in their rooms and closets. Try fixing some hooks to the wall so your kids will hang their jackets and backpacks instead of throwing them on the floor. A furniture assembly service or handyman can help you with both of these projects, if needed.

Related: Expert reveals what to keep (and toss) when decluttering your home.

2. Set your child up for academic success with a homework station.

Whether your child will be attending classes virtually this fall, or it's been a while since they’ve stepped foot inside a classroom for in-person lessons, the ultimate homework station can set them up for success. Keep these tips in mind when setting it up:

• Choose an area that’s set aside from distractions. If possible, avoid setting up a homework station that’s too close to TVs, toys, entertainment areas and even pets.
• Ensure adequate lighting. Let the natural light in through the windows, and make sure your child has an easy-to-use desk lamp. 
• Provide a chair that’s comfortable and adjustable. Pick a chair that’s comfy but also helps your child’s posture. Instead of making a hasty online purchase, take your child to a few stores and have them sit in several chairs to get an idea of what works and doesn’t work. You may also want to consider getting them a footrest or cushion.
• Add desk accessories and organizers. Pencil holders, a whiteboard, sticky notes, drawer organizers, etc. Depending on the type of subjects your child is taking, make sure they have everything they need to complete their school work.

If you think your child needs a little bit of extra help with certain subjects, chat with their teachers and ask if they’d recommend a tutor for math, English, history or foreign language classes. If you already know your child could benefit from working with a tutor, start searching for professionals in your area now.

3. Improve your own home office — especially if you work remotely.

If creating a homework station for your kids inspires you to make your home office even better, go for it. Take stock of what’s in your office, and make a list of items you need. For example, you may want to: 

• Hang up a whiteboard to help you keep track of high-priority tasks or effectively brainstorm.
• Upgrade to a standing desk. These are a lifesaver when your muscles and joints start to feel stiff and you need to stretch. 
• Get an ergonomic office chair. Help protect your posture (and prevent future health issues) by swapping out your old chair for the ergonomic variety.
• Stay moving with a desk treadmill or bike. It can be hard to make time to move around while working from home all day. A small treadmill or exercise bike designed for a desk can help.
• Splurge on some decor. If your home office needs a little razzle dazzle to create the aesthetic you always wanted, put up some shelving so you can display candles, houseplants, family photos or whatever helps you feel comfortable while working. You can even consider repainting your walls or putting up new wallpaper.
• Put up a do not disturb sign. Help limit distractions while you work remotely by hanging a do not disturb sign on your office door. Although there’s nothing cuter than seeing a toddler burst into the room during a video call, you may want to put up the sign during your dedicated focus time.

Related: How to set up the perfect home office.

4. Deep clean your home. 

Cooking meals, driving the kids around, picking up the toys, cleaning the house, taking the dog for a walk — a day in the life of a parent can be overwhelming. If you need a little help with your everyday cleaning tasks, ask the whole family (yes, including your children) to pitch in with washing dishes, doing the laundry and keeping the house generally tidy.

Or, consider hiring a house cleaner to deep clean your home before the school year starts. And if your carpets, hardwood or tile flooring are dirty thanks to the freeflow of kids, pets and visitors over the summer months, get them professionally cleaned. 

After your deep cleaning, you may want to set up regular house cleanings once a week or once a month — especially if everyone’s schedules start getting hectic during the school year.

Related: What is a deep house cleaning (and do you need one)?

5. Get a head start on your fall maintenance checklist.

As summer comes to an end and fall quickly approaches, ask yourself if your home is in the best shape it can be. Regular, seasonal maintenance is an important part of homeownership — and is key to improving your home's value. When you neglect important cleaning and repair tasks, you could end up paying more money down the line.

Sealing cracks, cleaning your gutters, inspecting your roof and weatherstripping your home — these are all important tasks you'll want to complete during the fall.

You could always DIY some or all of these home projects (and maybe even get a few of them done by this time next year), but if your schedule starts to fill up with work, soccer games and meal preps, you may want to enlist the help of a professionals in your area — whose job it is to get stuff done. 

If option 2 is more your speed, start looking for pros now before they’re all booked up for the fall.