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Tips for Homeschool Organization on a Budget

By Erika in Home

HomeschoolingThis post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you have opted for remote learning or hybrid learning this year, the world of homeschooling can seem pretty overwhelming. However, one of the best things you can do for your sake, and your child’s, is to keep things accessible and organized. Here’s how we have tackled homeschool organization at my home—it’s been a game-changer!

In fact, I made getting organized for school at home my first priority last week. My efforts were not in vain, thankfully!

collage of images showing organized cubbies and shelves for learning at home this idea now...

 

 

Simple Homeschool Organization Ideas

Like many families, we homeschool in our kitchen. Even though our kitchen is big, the old area did not work.

The round table we used was a big problem. It took up too much space. Why we didn’t get rid of it a long time ago and just use the big kitchen table (also right there) is beyond me.

But it’s gone now.

Now that the table is gone, we have more space than I realized. Homeschooling in our kitchen is actually perfect for our house.

We also had plastic bin drawers in the corner. I used it for storing books. But it was ugly, unorganized, and it plain ol’ didn’t work.

Plastic bins with drawers in the corner of a kitchen

It was hard deciding where to get started. Like many things, I usually know what I like, but getting there is the hard part.

Homeschool Organizing Must-Have: Cubbies

We considered a wide bookcase, but in the end, we settled on storage cube units.

 

One storage unit is for homeschooling stuff and the other is for crafts, puzzles, playdough, etc. I’ve been wanting to organize those things as well and, with our new layout offering more space, I was able to take care of that too. But the other set will be next week’s organizing topic.

Storage Cube Dividers

I’m glad we went with the storage cubes unit instead of a bookcase, because the divided sections make it simple to keep things separated.

organizing cubbies for homeschool

The top set of cubes holds Emily’s pencil box, reading book, etc. We also store her binder there. You can find out how how to make a DIY easy personalized binder for your child like I did too. Next are my teacher’s books (Saxon math, A Beka teachers’ guides, etc.) The third cube is for Nathan’s bin with his pencil box, notepad, etc. and his binder.

The middle shelf holds each child’s schoolbooks and the bottom shelf is pretty simple with a couple A Beka preschool books I use on occasion with Joshua and a play clock. We haven’t filled up every cube yet, but I’m sure we will soon.

collage of organization containers to help create a learning space

Paper Organization Ideas

Managing paper is always a challenge in any household, but even more with homeschooling. I knew taming our paper issues was an important part of organizing our homeschool.

So, I searched all over for something that would work, both online and in stores. I finally found these stackable paper trays so that both Nathan and Emily each have a tray to put their school papers in and there is also one for blank notebook paper.

This sits on top of the storage unit, along with our pencil sharpener.

3 stacked acrylic trays for homeschool paper organization

In a plastic drawer set, I keep Emily’s kindergarten phonics cards, charts, and flashcards. This set up makes it simple to quickly find what I need.

Plastic bin for hybrid learning at home

Shelf Organization

Above our homeschool cube unit is built-in shelves. I’ve always hated those shelves because at a narrow 4″ depth, they’re not practical for holding things. And it ends up being a clutter magnet.

But I knew if I could tame those pesky shelves, I could make them very useful for homeschooling. Plus with small children, it’s vital to have a spot for keeping certain things out of their reach. But the challenge was doing that without it looking cluttered.

I found the perfect solution – narrow fabric “foldable organizers.” They were on clearance too – an added bonus. Don’t you just love when that happens?

Narrow shelf with homeschool supplies

Keep Items Neat by Labeling

On the first shelf are Emily’s beginner reader books, stickers, and pencils for the children.

bookshelf with remote learning supplies for kids stored neatly in bins

Then there’s “Mom’s Pencils and Markers” (AKA off-limits to the kids) and an organizer with the whiteboard eraser, glue, scissors, and index cards. All things we frequently use and need to access easily.

Supplies for hybrid learning organized neatly in bins

I love these organizers.

They hold a lot and there’s a divider in the middle so things aren’t falling all over the place. And best of all, the contents are tucked neatly out of sight.

Bin of glue and index cards

Next shelf, we have:

  • Art supplies (things I don’t want the little kids reaching, like paint and glitter)
  • Scentsy bars (they fit perfectly in these organizers!)
  • Miscellaneous school supplies (wall sticky putty, a calculator, school counting bears)
  • Office supplies (stapler, staples, tape, glue)

Free Printable Labels

Oh and the labels? Here are 60+ Free Printable Labels for Organizing Your Home. Best homeschool organization hack ever!

I attached them to the bins and organizers with a piece of packing tape. It’s not fancy, but it was quick and easy and that’s what I needed. And so far, it’s held up well.

Homeschool Organization Idea: Store Prizes Up High

The last shelf holds our Prize Jar, a bin with Squinkies, and Emily’s rubber stamp set. Again, up high since I don’t want the kids to have easy access.

Prizes bin for homeschoolers on a shelf

The kids can earn up to 2 “stars” a day for good behavior and completing school work. Stars can be traded in for a prize or a gumball.  Of course, the Squinkies are for Emily. That girl loves those little toys and I picked some up on clearance recently, knowing they would make great prizes for her.

 

Homeschool Room in the Kitchen

So, where do we do remote learning for school? Right next to our newly organized homeschool area…at the kitchen table.

Organized homeschool supplies in the corner of a kitchen

Homeschool Organization: Before and After

I am really happy with how things turned out. And our homeschool day goes better and smoother because our homeschool area is well organized and we can find things.

I hope this encourages you in getting organized, especially when it comes to organizing a homeschool area in a simple, practical fashion. While we did spend a little bit of money, it was within our budget and it didn’t take us days to complete the project. In fact, it took us a single afternoon.

So, yes it can be done. If I can do it with four kids and not a lot of money or direction in what to do, so can you!

If you are doing hybrid learning, remote school, or homeschool this year, I’d love to hear about how you keep your homeschool area organized! I’m always looking for tips and tricks to add to my space!

Pin the image below to save the ideas for later.

stacked paper sorter to organize homeschool or remote learning spaces

Want to see more organization ideas for school?

  • The Easy Way to Organize School Papers and Keep it That Way
  • 14+ Clever Ideas for Backpack Storage and Organization
  • Back to School Organizing Tips
  • Easy Shoe Organizer for Kids
  • 35 Back to School Organizing Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

 

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    Filed Under: Home, Organizing Tips Tagged With: HomeschoolingPublished on August 26, 2020

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    About Erika

    Erika Bragdon is a flower essence practitioner and a second-generation homeschooling mom with 3 kids at home and 1 in college. She enjoys her chickens, goats, and gardening on a small farm in New Hampshire, and is passionate about sharing flower essences and more ways to renew body, mind, and soul with moms.

    Comments

    1. Kelli Wood says

      January 7, 2013 at 2:05 pm

      So inspiring! I am currently trying to fix up our enclosed single car garage to make it a homeschooling room for my son. I love seeing others ideas and getting ideas from them so thank you for sharing!!!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 7, 2013 at 7:49 pm

        Thanks, Kelli! Good luck with your project – it sounds like it’s going to be great!

        Reply
    2. Bethany says

      January 7, 2013 at 4:29 pm

      Great job!! I’d bet you could use some tall magazine holders, too, and just place them sideways on the narrow shelves. =)

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 7, 2013 at 7:57 pm

        Thanks, Bethany!

        Reply
    3. Janine Huldie says

      January 7, 2013 at 7:14 pm

      A total success and looked better than most of the classrooms that were given to me to teach in when I was teaching full-time. Nice job and loved seeing the before and after transformation here 🙂

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 7, 2013 at 7:58 pm

        Thanks Janine, you are so kind! I am pretty happy with how it turned out. Figuring out our plan was probably the hardest part and the rest was actually pretty fun. I do organizing, just when I know what to do!

        Reply
    4. Tricia Igo says

      January 7, 2013 at 7:14 pm

      it looks great – you’ve made a wonderful use of the space

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 7, 2013 at 7:58 pm

        Thanks Tricia!

        Reply
    5. D Schmidt says

      January 7, 2013 at 7:55 pm

      This looks great! I do not have any school age children yet but I just spent two days redesigning there toy room so I can appreciate the work that went into this!

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 7, 2013 at 7:59 pm

        Thank you! Organizing can be a lot of work, but it’s well worth it in the end.
        Do you have any tips or ideas to share for playroom organization? That’s coming up soon on my to-do list!

        Reply
    6. Ellen Christian says

      January 7, 2013 at 8:46 pm

      Wow nice job! No home school area in my home any longer but I really need to work on my office.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 8, 2013 at 7:26 am

        Thanks Ellen! It feels great to have that done.

        Reply
    7. Kristina Best says

      January 8, 2013 at 8:49 am

      I love how you organized. I also love the idea of prizes. I think once we move I am going to do the same thing. Thank you for some great ideas.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 8, 2013 at 9:54 pm

        Glad to help, Kristina. I always like getting ideas from other bloggers too – it helps to see a variety and then make your own plan.

        Reply
    8. Jo-Ann Brightman says

      January 9, 2013 at 5:25 pm

      You definitely improved the area by organizing it and I like the labels and the prizes.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        January 10, 2013 at 1:41 pm

        Thanks Jo-Ann!

        Reply
    9. Latrecia says

      January 20, 2013 at 8:51 pm

      I enjoyed this posting! I’m also a homeschooling mommy of three little ones. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
    10. WidyaningA says

      March 14, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      In my country Indonesia, although not yet a top choice but homeschooling already chosen by many people. I plan to apply this learning model to my daughter for the next higher education, this post truly useful for me.

      Reply
    11. Maria Iemma says

      March 26, 2013 at 11:57 am

      I admire you for homeschooling your children. My kids are grown now but if I had a chance to do it again I would keep them at home and let them learn at their own pace and in a more non-bullying atmosphere. Your organized area looks beautiful.

      Reply
      • Erika says

        April 24, 2013 at 1:35 pm

        Thanks, Maria. 🙂

        Reply
    12. The Tickled Diva says

      May 25, 2013 at 10:42 pm

      Hi Erika,

      Love the before and after. I have also started the process of reorganizing. We have so many shelves/books and the paper clutter, we don’t even want to speak about that. I loved the prizes and rewards idea! Thanks for the inspiration and helpful tips.

      Reply
    13. Bethany @ Homeschool says

      October 7, 2013 at 3:35 pm

      Hey Erika, Great post! I need to get some organizational motivation. 🙂 This really helps so Thanks!

      Reply

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