Effortless Summer: Get (and Stay) Organized with Minimal Effort
We occasionally share products we believe in. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission—always thoughtfully chosen, never at your expense.
Summer changes everything—schedules, routines, energy. And while it brings light and looseness, it also brings the kind of low-grade chaos that creeps in slowly: wet towels on the floor, sunscreen rolling in drawers, sandals kicked off in every direction.
But summer doesn’t need a perfectly organized home. It just needs one that works for the way you live right now.
This is your guide to low-maintenance summer systems—solutions you can set once and walk away from. Nothing overly styled. Nothing too precious. Just calm, livable order that lets you move through the season with more ease and less overwhelm.
1. A Simple Entry Drop Zone
As summer routines shift, so does the traffic at your entry. Give everything a home before it becomes clutter.
What to include:
One sturdy basket for shoes or flip-flops
A small tray for bug spray, sunscreen, or keys
A hook or peg rail for towels, ball caps, or canvas totes
Try:
Water Hyacinth Bin – Threshold™
Wood Wall Hook Rail – West Elm
Organic Metal Trinket Tray - West Elm
Style tip: keep it minimal and functional—think materials that can handle sand, water, and daily use.
2. A Summer Shelf in the Pantry
No need for a full pantry overhaul. Just clear one shelf and create a zone for summer-specific items.
What to include:
Quick snacks for kids or guests
Drink packets, electrolytes, or hydration powders
S’mores ingredients, picnic supplies, or reusable utensils
Try:
Glass Storage Jars with Lids – IKEA 365+
Pantry Shelf Riser – Yamazaki Home
Refillable Glass Bottles – U-Line
Style Tip: Skip the labels. Just group like with like.
3. No-Fold Laundry Bins
Set up open bins in your laundry or mudroom for the things that don’t need folding—like beach towels, swimsuits, or summer play clothes.
This keeps things accessible and stress-free. (No one’s folding bathing suits in July.)
Try:
Stackable Mesh Laundry Bins – Amazon
Heavy Canvas Sorting Bags – Steele Canvas
Felt Bin – The Container Store
4. A Pre-Packed Outdoor Tote
Keep a dedicated summer tote packed and ready to go for impromptu park visits, beach days, or evening walks.
What to include:
Sunscreen, bug spray, wipes
A book or deck of cards
Light throw blanket or Turkish towel
Water bottle and snacks
Try:
Canvas Zip Tote – L.L.Bean
Turkish Beach Blanket – Food52
Refillable Sunscreen Bottles – Cadence
Style Tip: Hang it by the door, or tuck it into a basket near your exit.
5. Keep Surfaces Clear
One easy summer reset? Remove half of what’s on your visible surfaces. Summer clutter tends to multiply, and visual space helps balance it out.
You don’t have to do this all at once. Just scan one surface per day and ask yourself: Does this need to live here right now?
One Last Thought:
Structure doesn’t have to feel strict.
Especially in summer, when life is meant to expand, not contract.
A few thoughtful systems can create just enough rhythm to support you—so your home can breathe, and so can you.
