How To Create An Organized Classroom In Less Time!
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Raise your hand if you are a teacher who scrolls Pinterest dreaming that you too could have a pin-worthy classroom? I always wondered how long it took teachers to create a matching theme, everything labeled and put in just the right place. For one, I never considered myself creative enough, or organized enough to create or even mimic the classrooms I see posted. I got you! This is for the teachers who struggle creating that pin-worthy look, or even finding the time to do so. I am far from creative when it comes to classroom decor, but I have found an approach that has allowed me to create a classroom that I love without spending endless hours doing so! I will share with you how I created a minimalist, organized classroom, with a definite “vibe” as my students describe it.
New School, New Classroom
At the end of this last school year, my literal dream job came up for grabs, so that meant a new school and new classroom. My new job was taking over a program that was scaling down from two teachers to just me. I was faced with the daunting challenge of condensing two classrooms and a large storage room, with 20 years worth of “stuff”, into one classroom. Daunting task to say the least. My goal was to create a minimalist approach while maintaining a “vibe” that felt welcoming to students. Below are the steps I took to create an organized classroom without spending hours doing so:
Declutter and prioritize
Implement efficient storage solutions
Maintain a balance of personal touches
Create a labeling system
Declutter and Prioritize
Because I had to move all equipment and consumables from the other classroom into my room, I literally had piles of stuff everywhere! The first step in creating a minimalist classroom is to declutter. I started by sorting through all of the materials and grouped them by commonalities. Next, I decided what is essential. I used the KonMari approach and reviewed if each item serves a purpose or brings joy. If not, the item got a new home - whether that was to a new teacher, the recycling bin, or trash. Prioritizing what you truly need helps in maintaining a streamlined space.
Implement Efficient Storage Solutions
Efficient storage is crucial in creating a clutter-free classroom. Use bins and labels to organize supplies so that everything has a designated space. Speaking of labels, I LOVE this label maker! It is fast, easy to use, and creates a clean simple look. It saves so much time because I am not having to format and create printable labels in Canva, Google Slides, etc., and then take the time to print them. This label maker is probably one of my most used items in my classroom because I also use it to create labels for my filing systems. Take the price of the label maker, divide by how many times you would use it, if it’s under $5 you’re basically getting it for free. #girlmath
Vertical storage solutions can help maximize space. Keeping materials organized and accessible reduces clutter and saves time. This is by far my most favorite portable storage system. Everything I need for the week I put in this system. When I taught math, I stored supplies for math center, pens, etc. and rolled it next to me during small group instruction. It is so versatile and probably my most frequently used item in my classroom. Click here to get your rolling cart organizer.
Click here to get a rolling cart for your classroom. It also comes in several different colors!
Maintain A Balance
I believe there is a balance to maintaining a minimalist, clutter free classroom, while also adding personal touches. Personal touches can add warmth without overwhelming the space. While I like to add some pictures and a few posters around the room, my personal touch is adding plants! If your classroom lacks natural light or windows, snake plants are by far the easiest to keep alive and require minimal light. I’ve even kept a snake plant alive in a room that had no windows. If you struggle keeping plants alive there are some faux plants that totally look real! I’ve had to do a double take!
Add plants or faux plants to create a “vibe” as my students would call it.
If you struggle keeping plants alive this is a faux plant that I swore I thought was real.
Create A Labeling System
If you have cabinets, create a labeling system to save time in the long run. I’ve seen teachers make a label showing exactly what is inside the cabinet. I find that too “cluttery” for my liking. I created a numbering system for my cabinets, then have a spreadsheet to identify what is in each one cabinet. This system works for me because my classes are very material heavy, and I have several items in each cabinet. Inside the cabinets I use clear bins to store the supplies, so I can see everything, then when the supplies are low I know it is time to order more.
I have found that taking a simple approach saves time when it comes to organizing my classroom, but don’t forget to add personal touches and some greenery to create a welcoming environment for your students. I hope these tips are helpful and inspire you to create your own clutter-free classroom.
Want more time saving tips? Check out my post on how you can increase productivity and decrease your teacher workload!
