As the school year winds down, the chaos doesn’t stop—it just shifts gears. Between summer camps, family vacations, and outdoor adventures, staying organized can be a challenge. That’s where the *Summer Launch Pad* comes in. This simple system keeps your family ready for all the summer fun while minimizing stress. Or fumbling over where to find that sunblock.

Step 1: Choose Your Space

Pick a spot near your most-used entrance or exit, like your entry, garage door or a mudroom. This will be your central hub for all things summer—beach bags, camp gear, sunblock, and more. I personally love to carve out the space in a garage for summer organization because items tend to be wet or sandy when you return home. But find a spot that works for you and your home.

Here’s a garage mudroom wall I designed and installed a few years ago. If you look closely, I added a row of hooks where bags can hang. You can also add bins to the shelves to contain summer essentials you need in a pinch…

( Elfa is 35% off! )

Step 2: Set Up Zones

Next you’ll want to create zones or designated spots for summer-specific essentials. In this garage, we used a few simple bins and space planned each shelf / cubby…

– Hooks: Hang bags, hats, or lightweight jackets.
– Bins or Baskets: Use labeled bins for sunscreen, bug spray, water bottles, and swim gear.
– Shelving or Cubbies: Store items like towels, goggles, or picnic supplies.

These have been my favorite bins for the last year or so. It’s The Container Store brand and they are generally on sale all the time. Right now they are BOGO 50% off! They stack, have dividers and are clear making it easy to see what you have.

Step 3: Create Categories

Summer activities often require different gear, so assign categories based on your family’s plans.

In this garage, we added shelving and I placed the lowest shelf a bit higher to accommodate all the suitcases. These are easily accessible for summer travel and especially when zoned together.

– Camp Gear: Backpacks, camp schedules, and daily necessities.
– Beach/Pool Essentials: Towels, swimsuits, sunscreen, and flip-flops.
– Outdoor Adventures: Hiking boots, water bottles, and picnic blankets.
– Travel Must-Haves: Keep passports, travel documents, and small suitcases in one accessible spot.

Step 4: Label Everything

Use labels to keep things organized. You could even consider color-coding bins for each family member or activity type to make grab-and-go even faster. Which would mean you don’t need a label at all! But labeling is great because it helps everyone else in the house keep your summer system in order.

( scooter stand | my favorite label maker )

Step 5: Implement the System

Once your summer launch pad is set up, it’s time to put it to use. Walk everyone through the new system so they know where to find and return items. It’s easy to get everyone excited about this because who isn’t ready for some summer fun and time away from school??

Another important point is you’ll want to spend a few minutes each week restocking essentials like sunscreen, snacks, or clean towels. But having this system in place will make this maintenance step really easy!

Pro Tip: Rotate Items as Activities Change

As summer progresses, your needs may shift. For example, swap out camp gear for back-to-school items in August. This system is flexible and can evolve with your family’s schedule.

Here at Simply Organized, we specialize in helping families transition their homes for seasonal needs. Whether you’re gearing up for summer or preparing for fall, we can create a personalized system that works for you. If you’re local, be sure to reach out for help!

Why It Works

The 5-Step Summer Launch Pad ensures that your family is always prepared for the next adventure. By creating a central hub for summer essentials, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and spend more energy enjoying the season.

Say goodbye to scattered sunscreen and misplaced goggles—this summer, organization is a breeze!

I wanted to mention that some of the spaces you see here were designed and created by me using Elfa material. The Elfa sale is currently at the highest percentage off – 35% If you want to update a space this spring in advance of summer, this is the time to buy. It doesn’t get better than this sale!

Back soon with more!

xo,

Sam