How to Organize a Family Drop Zone (And set yourself up for stress-free mornings)
“Where the heck did I put my keys?”
“Mom! Where’s my baseball shirt?”
“Why aren’t your shoes on your feet?”
“I’M GOING TO BE LATE!!”
Sound familiar? Moms everywhere agree that mornings can be a stressful time of day. It seems that everything that can go wrong, will go wrong, at this crucial transition time.
Creating a solid “drop zone” in your home may not completely remove the stress, but it will provide the following:
Designated spot for important items
Zone for all things which come and go
Organized system you can rely on
Read on for tips to create your own stress-relieving drop zone…
Key Components of a Drop Zone
Be intentional with location
If you are wondering where your drop zone should be located, just take a look around your home. Anywhere you see a pile of shoes, tangled coats, shopping bags and junk mail - Boom. That’s your spot! Common entry spots include:
Garage
Back or front hallway
Kitchen
Mudroom
Entryway/Foyer
Before you design your space - PURGE!
Begin by pulling everything out of the space. Sort ALL of the things. You’d be shocked what kind of things end up in our drop zones! An umbrella can stay, your old college yearbook and the half eaten bag of jellybeans from easter… cannot.
Make a list of what SHOULD be in your drop zone.
This list may change slightly depending on your kids current activities or the current weather. Here is a sample list of items:
Umbrellas (one per person MAX)
Backpacks (again, only one per person)
Keys (limit this to keys which actually leave the house)
Masks (for now anyway)
Shoes (don’t let this one get out of hand. Shoes should be limited to 2 pairs per person.)
Sports/Activity gear (Only current activities)
Dog leash (One per dog)
Coats (one per person)
Create your system
Consider designating an area for each member of your family. Everyone should have:
A hook for backpacks/purses
A basket or shelf for shoes
A cubby or basket for gear
A small basket or hook for masks
There should be ONE spot for keys. A bowl, hooks or even a magnetic strip work great. Get in the habit of hanging your keys up the MOMENT you get in the door. They should never be anywhere but on that hook. FOLLOW THE SYSTEM and you will never search for keys again.
Tips for maintaining your drop zone
What about mail?
I recommend that you do NOT allow mail to live in your drop zone. The best way to deal with mail is to DEAL with it right away. Bring the mail in and sort it right away. Don’t leave it to pile up in your drop zone.
I need somewhere to put returns, shopping bags etc.
I recommend you store reusable shopping bags IN your car. To build this habit - After unloading shopping, hang the empty bags right on the front door knob.Return them to the car the next time you leave. No need to store them in the drop zone.
Same goes for any items to return. Right by the front door to be taken to your car.
Get the family on board
While this tip is a challenge it IS possible. Lead by example. Say loudly how you are “HANGING UP MY JACKET ON THIS LOVELY HOOK”.
Consider letting your kids pick out their own baskets and hooks to take ownership over their area.
At the end of the week do a sweep of the drop zone - removing and adding any items that should/shouldn’t be there for the coming week.
Seasonally, change out shoes and outerwear to fit the weather.
Reward good habits. Encourage your family with a motivational reward like an ice cream party at the end of the month. Special hugs and kind words go a long way as well!
Once you do the initial leg work of setting up your drop zone, the rest is just habit and routine. Within a month of creating your space, you will unconsciously hang your keys, line up your shoes and stage your bags for the coming week. No more cries of “Where is my……????” Success! Relief! Yes!
Written by Maeby Lopez, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and Professional Organizer
Just referenced this one again, months later! Such a great way to stay organized In our new space!!!