Your To-Do List for Home Organization Before Summer Starts

Summer is coming. The days get longer, the schedules get busier, and if you're not ready, your home can quickly go from peaceful to chaotic. Whether it’s prepping for backyard barbecues, making room for kids on break, or just wanting a more serene space, a smart home organization plan can change how you experience the season. Let’s get into it, step by step.

1. Declutter Winter Before It Disappears From Memory

Winter gear has a way of overstaying its welcome. Before summer truly begins, go through all those coats, scarves, boots, and hats. Be ruthless.

Create three bins: store, donate, and toss. Only the items you used and loved should go into storage. Pack the rest in labeled, breathable bins and store them out of the way—garage, crawlspace, or under the bed.

Mini Hack:Place a lavender sachet or moisture absorber in your bins to keep fabrics fresh through the season.

2. Prep Your Pantry & Fridge for Summer Snacking

When school’s out and routines change, your kitchen becomes the central hub of activity. Make it work for you, not against you.

Do this:

• Toss expired condiments, snacks, and frozen food.

• Group like items together: snacks, grilling items, drinks, breakfast staples.

• Label baskets or bins in your pantry to make retrieval a breeze.

Quick Hack:Use a lazy Susan for condiments or oils. It saves space and minimizes spills.

3. Create a Seasonal Drop Zone

Flip-flops, sunglasses, beach towels, they all need a home during the summer months. One of the easiest ways to stay organized is to create a dedicated zone near your front or back door where these essentials can live. Set up a small bench or shelf to act as a landing spot. Install a few sturdy hooks for hats and towels, and keep a basket close by for grab-and-go items like sunscreen, bug spray, and sunglasses. This simple setup cuts down on mess and makes getting out the door quicker and far less stressful.

4. Edit Your Closet: Summer-Style

This is your moment to breathe new life into your wardrobe and gain space while you’re at it. Start by pulling everything out so you can see exactly what you’re working with. Pack away those heavy sweaters and boots you won’t need for months. If you come across anything you didn’t wear last summer, it’s probably time to donate it. Once you’ve pared things down, organize what’s left by category or colour to make your closet feel fresh and functional. A helpful trick to maximize space and keep your clothes in place is to switch to slim velvet hangers, they’re simple but make a big difference.

5. Get the Garage or Storage Shed Ready

Warm weather means more outdoor gear. Pool floats, gardening tools, bikes, they need easy access. Make that happen by clearing out what's in the way first.

How to do it:

1. Group items by season

2. Hang garden tools on vertical racks

3. Use clear bins for small sports gear

If you can't see it, you won't use it. So keep summer items front and center.

6. Set Up a Summer Command Center

Even if you're not managing a full household, summer plans can pile up quickly. To stay on top of everything from activities and grocery lists to camp dates and weekend getaways, create a simple space to keep it all organized. Add a magnetic board or corkboard for reminders and notes. Keep a calendar nearby. It can be a physical one you can hang or a digital version you update regularly. Include a small filing system for important papers like receipts, documents, or even takeout menus. This becomes your go-to spot for staying on track and making summer feel a little more manageable.

Simplify Your Summer Home Preparation with a Professional Organizer

At Organize by Flo, we specialize in helping homeowners across Vancouver create spaces that work for real life, every season of it. From hands-on organizing to personalized systems you can maintain, we make it easy to get, and stay organized. If you need help with closets, pantries, or full-home transformations, we're here with thoughtful solutions and a friendly, professional touch.

Book your summer prep session now and enjoy more sunshine, less stress, and a home that’s ready for anything.