Ah, summer! Long days, backyard barbecues, trips to the pool, and cold popsicles are the stuff that core memories are made of. 

Of course, with all that summer fun comes a bit of chaos — and not always the organized type *wink*. Amid the travel plans, school-free days, and endless laundry loads of beach towels, it’s bound to be a bit challenging to maintain an organized home.  

And while we’re all for being barefoot and carefree, we also love creating a peaceful, functional home, even in the summertime. In fact, you might be surprised at how much time you spend inside during the summer months! In one study, half of the respondents admitted they limit their outdoor time in summer — preferring to stay comfortable inside their air-conditioned homes, away from heat, bugs, and sunburns.

So, if you’re going to be indoors this summer, you might as well make sure your home is a haven and brings you and your family some well-deserved summertime joy. Here at Elegant Simplicity, we’ve got some simple strategies to help streamline your daily routine and create a calming atmosphere despite the summertime hustle and bustle. 

Ready to maximize your enjoyment of the season while keeping your home tidy, clutter-free, and uber-organized.? As John always says, “Let’s groooow!”

Decluttering for Summer

Picture this: You’ve got flip-flops in a pile by the front door, toys underfoot, and gardening tools scattered around the lawn. Sound familiar *wink*? Not to worry, friend. We’ve got you covered with some seasonal decluttering tips perfect for summer.

The Seasonal Closet Swap

What would it feel like to open your closet to find only easy, breezy, lightweight clothes that are just right for the warm weather? No more rifling through winter sweaters and coats to find your favorite sundress *wink*! Here’s how to make it happen:

• Declutter your closets and drawers. Pull out all your winter clothing — from chunky sweaters to woolen scarves — and store them away. Use vacuum-sealed bags to save space and keep your winter wardrobe fresh until the chill returns. 

• Create a summertime capsule wardrobe. With a capsule wardrobe, you keep or invest in essential items that not only “go” together but also last and last in terms of style and durability. 

• Donate or sell. If you have anything in your closet you no longer love or need, consider donating or selling it. You’ll create space for everything you need + nothing more™ — think swimsuits, shorts, dresses, skirts, summery tops, and a few pairs of stylish yet functional shoes — and you’ll actually enjoy leafing through your closet to pick out an outfit. 

By the time you’re done, your closets will be organized, and every piece of clothing will spark that organizing joy. Plus, your clothes can get a second life with someone who can love them all over again. We’re getting teary just thinking about it *sniff*!

Toy Rotation and Storage

If you’ve ever stepped on a Lego barefoot, you know just how important it is to tuck away toys when they’re not in use *ouch*! And while reining in the mounds of toys, books, and games can feel like an impossible task, we can attest — you can get control of the toy clutter and keep your kiddos engaged at the same time. 

One of our favorite tricks? Toy rotation.

It’s a kind of parental sorcery *wink* whereby you swap toys in and out every few weeks to prevent boredom. Kids will often forget about toys when they’re out of sight, so when you pull them back out again, it can be like reuniting two old friends.

As an added bonus, storing away some toys while keeping others easily accessible helps keep play areas clutter-free.

To organize toys, gather all the toys in one place and sort them into categories, like building blocks, action figures, dolls, games, books, and art supplies. From there, select a few toys from each category to keep out for play, and store the rest.

For storage, try: 

• Clear bins: Make it easy to see what’s inside.

• Labeled baskets: Add words and pictures so your kids can help clean up and get a language lesson at the same time. #WinWin

• A cubby system: Cubbies are great for organizing storage cubes, baskets, or bins, keeping everything in its place and within easy reach.

Organizing toys this way creates a more manageable and inviting play space. Also, it teaches kids the value of tidiness and makes clean-up a snap.

Tackle Outdoor Clutter

Along with outdoor fun comes outdoor clutter. To maintain order and keep heavily used items within easy reach, follow these tips:

• Start by gathering all outdoor toys, sports gear, and gardening tools in one spot. The goal is to give each item a home that’s easy to access throughout the season. 

• Stash your snowboards and skis in the rafters, swapping them for wakeboards and hiking poles. Hang them on hooks or racks in your garage or shed to keep items off the floor.

• Stow smaller items like pickleball rackets and balls in clear bins on shelves.

• Organize gardening tools with hooks or pegboards.

• Use large bins or baskets for outdoor toys like pool toys and water guns, making it easy for kids to grab and put away.

Streamlining Summer Routines: Effortless Organization for Busy Days

Short of carrying around two-way radios, you and your family can’t always be in constant communication throughout the summer. Keep everyone on the same page by incorporating summer routines and organization strategies that make busy days feel effortless.

Creating a Summer Command Center

Designate a central hub for calendars, schedules, documents, and to-do lists. A well-organized summer command center can make all the difference in managing busy days effortlessly.

Start with a family calendar where everyone can see upcoming activities, appointments, and events. A corkboard or whiteboard is perfect for pinning important documents, notes, and reminders. This way, everyone knows where to look for updates and messages.

Establishing Morning and Evening Rituals

Another fantastic way to help your family stay organized and connected is by creating consistent morning and evening routines.

Start your day by taking a few minutes to tidy up. Make beds, put away dishes, and organize any clutter from the night before. Involve children in age-appropriate tasks like sorting laundry or feeding pets. Make sure you specify how much food to give Fido *wink*!

In the evenings, focus on winding down and preparing for the next day. Set aside time to review the family calendar, pack bags for any activities, and lay out clothes for the morning. Get your little ones involved by having them help with simple chores or choose their outfits — and be OK with the occasional mismatched socks or clashing patterns. #PickYourBattles

The more you make these rituals about creating meaningful connections with each other, the more at ease everyone will feel about hustling off to summer camps and daily responsibilities. 

Organizing Outdoor Spaces

You heard it here first: Creating designated outdoor zones for dining, lounging, and playing games can make you feel like you’re on vacation in your own backyard. #CountUsIn 

Create a Grab-And-Go Area

Set up a "grab-and-go" basket or bin filled with outdoor adventure essentials, like sunscreen, hats, water bottles, and towels. Don’t forget fun magazines or summer reads for the grown-ups *wink*!

Having these essentials in one place makes it easy to head out the door for a day at the beach or a picnic in the park.

Designate a “mudroom” space near your entrance or in the garage for quick cleanup of beach gear or sports equipment. You’ll thank yourself later when nobody is tracking sandy toys and wet towels into the house. 

Embrace the Mess

If you had to pick a summertime mantra, what would it be? We suggest, “Embrace the mess,” Elegant Simplicity tribe. Allow the sticky, sandy, soggy messes of summer to fill your home knowing there are several strategies, we’ve talked about already to get + keep your home in order.

Psst…a little mayhem is a sign people are having fun!

For quick clean-ups that help maintain a sense of order without sacrificing enjoyment:

• Keep a dustpan and broom or outdoor vacuum handy for sweeping up dirt and sand.

• Use large bins or baskets to swoop up toys and gear at the end of the day.

• Tidy up the outdoor space in the evening, so it’s ready for the next day’s adventures.

• Keep a packet of hand wipes near entrances and messy areas for speedy cleanups.

Let the Summer Fun Begin

As summer kicks into high gear, remember these key strategies for keeping your home organized: declutter, establish routines, and create functional spaces. 

Decluttering helps clear out anything you don’t need, while routines provide a sense of order. Designating specific areas for activities, both indoors and out, allows everyone to enjoy summer to its fullest.

Ultimately, an organized home boosts not only family well-being but also your enjoyment of the summer season. By implementing these tips, you’ll be able to relish a stress-free, fun-filled summer.

#MissionAccomplished! 

Before we sign off, we want to invite you to share your summer organizing tips and successes! Post your stories and photos on social media using #ElegantSimplicitySummer. All the cool kids are doing it *wink*!

Oh, and if you’re in the planning stages of your next project, let’s chat *wink*! team is here to help you create a tranquil and functional home environment in every season. Just imagine how at peace you’ll feel when your home feels like a haven and you’ve created habits that carry you into the fall. Let the summer fun begin!

P.S. If you loved this article, you’ll really love our video course, 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home.