11 Genius School Supplies Storage Ideas For Back to School

Before the school year starts, get organized with these simple school supply storage ideas for your home or classroom!

If you are trying to create a bit more calm for your kids or students, having their school supplies organized will help a lot. 

Many of the school supply organization hacks on this list can be done with items you probably already have. From organizing school supplies to kids’ art supplies, this list will ensure it all has a designated spot!

This post is all about the best school supply storage ideas.

General tips on keeping kids’ school supplies organized at home and for classroom organization

• Try to get your school supply organization system squared away the summer before school starts that way everyone starts on a fresh page. 
• Make it a normal part of your kids’ homework routine to put their school supplies back in their organizational containers when finishing their work.
• Get your kids to help create the organization containers so they know where everything goes. They can help decorate/personalize their workspace and organizational containers! It helps them to see it as not a boring task but part of being an organized student. 
• Only buy what you need. It can be helpful to have a few extras on hand but try not to overbuy. That just creates clutter and stress. If your kids run out of pencils half way through the year, you can just buy new ones then. 

Budget-friendly and Creative School Supplies Storage Ideas. 

1. Pegboard for vertical storage space

To leave room for workspace on a desk, use a peg board to have easy access to school supplies during homework time. 

Pegboards are easily customizable. You can add hooks, shelves and small baskets. These are perfect containers for holding small items like rubberbands, rulers, pencils, and scissors. 

You can even add a mini bulletin board or whiteboard near by to hang assignments, reminders, and motivational quotes! 

2. A classic mason jar for desk organization

You probably have a few of these already laying around your home. You can dress them up with bows, labels or a wooden box for stability. 

Mason jars are perfect for storing all kinds of writing items like pencils, dry-erase markers, crayons etc. 

3. Rolling cart for convenience 

If you are working with a small space for organizing school supplies, a rolling cart may be perfect.

You can easily roll them around depending on where assignments and projects need to be worked on. Many rolling carts have at least 3 tiers to section things out by supply category or child. 

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4. Drawer organizers or utensil organizers for desk drawer

Upcycling storage containers from other areas of your home (or the thrift store!) is the perfect way to stay organized and cut costs on back to school supplies. 

These are great for small office supply items like paper clips and erasers or other educational materials like math counters/manipulatives. 

5. Hanging shoe organizer for a hidden storage solution

Upcycle a shoe organizer to hold school supplies. You can choose one with clear organizers to clearly see all of the supplies or a canvas one to hide away the clutter.

Don’t forget labels! These can hang on the back of a door for easy access. 

6. Book bins, storage boxes, plastic tubs and cubbies

You can never go wrong with these classic organizers. Storage bins are super easy to find at the thrift store as well.

Using boxes and bins helps to eliminate visual clutter and they are great for storing books, textbooks, pencil cases holding smaller items, binders, extra school supplies and more! 

7. Magazine holders for binders and paper work 

 This is a super fun craft that your kids can join in on!

Decorate some thrifted magazine holders to hold notebooks and other school paper work. 

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8. Tackle boxes for kid art supplies

Upcycle an unused tackle box as a way to store all the beads, glitter glue and stickers that are used for school projects.

Many come with a convenient handle so they can easily be moved around and stored under a desk, bed or in a closet. All of the tiny compartments are perfect for small art supplies that can easily scatter. 

9. Spining organizer/lazy susan

These are great to have out on a students work area or can be tucked away in a closet.

Either way, they keep school supplies nice and compact and swiftly spin around to get to what you need! 

10. Washi tape to label everything 

Washi tape is fun, colorful and will be your best friend when labeling school supply storage containers.

Having labels on things cuts down on your kids rummaging through things. 

11. Bath caddy

Pick up a simple bath caddy that your kids or students can take around with them when working on their homework or projects.

These can easily be stored in a closet and hidden away when not in use. 

Where to store student work?

Another item that creates a lot of clutter in your home is student work that is brought home. At the beginning of the year before the school work starts making its way into your home, choose a few ways to keep it organized and protected. 

Many assignments can simply be recycled but where to store those sentimental pieces? 

• In a binder with sleeves. You can add dividers for each year. 
• Take photos and save them digitally.
• Accordion folders and plastic containers 
• In space bags. That way they are flat and can slide under a bed or in the back of a closet. 
• Some artwork can be shared with family. Spread the joy of your kids artwork by sending it through snail mail to your loved ones. 
• Frame artwork and make it into home decor 
• Use a dish rack on a closet shelf to hold folders holding student work 

Benefits of an organized classroom and organized home storage area

• Makes the learning environment more relaxing 
• Builds consistency, structure and efficiency 
• Less visual clutter is less distracting 
• Teaches kids about caring for all of their items. Encourages responsibility and independence 
• You know where extra supplies are when you need them

Have any other creative school supply storage ideas? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well!

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Stay well, 

Maggie 

This post was all about the best school supply storage ideas.

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