How to Organize Classroom Cabinets ·

A key phrase I like to say, and you’ve probably heard me say a time or two, is that the classroom cabinets are the backbone of the classroom. If your cabinet organization is a hot mess, it’s highly likely your classroom organization is a hot mess too. It’s so important we organize classroom cabinets so we can easily find things.

Organize your classroom cabinets with these tips for classroom cabinet organization.

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I have found that one of the most important things to running a successful classroom and feeling in control of your room is having routines for everything. I am not talking about routines the kids follow (although those are incredibly important), but routines YOU follow.

Routines for when you get papers from the office, where you keep your lesson materials, what you do with your extra supplies, etc.

Everything needs a home. If everything has a home then there is no need for papers to pile up on your desk, materials to be laying around the classroom, or clutter to ensue.

Ready to get rid of the classroom clutter stress? Join me in this live training where you will learn the 6 things needed to get your classroom organized so you can find more joy!

Classroom teachers can use these organization strategies to organize their classroom and maintain the organization.

How to Organize Classroom Cabinets

I feel like this might be supermundane and a “duh” kind of thing. But something tells me that a lot of teachers throw things in their cabinets, close the doors, and think nothing more of it.

I get it. There are many more pressing things to deal with. But I am a true believer that an organized classroom helps you and the students feel more calm, relaxed, and ready to learn.

Assign Themes to Cabinets

First, you need to decide what is going to go in each cabinet before you start putting things in there. That way, when you do, you know exactly what materials and resources should go in each cabinet.

I like to first organize classroom cabinets by designating some as “student material cabinets” and the rest as “teacher material cabinets.”

The cabinet on the left is the student material cabinet so ideally, everything in there is stuff I am comfortable with the kids using. The cabinet on the right is my main teacher cabinet and there’s really no need for a kid to ever get in that cabinet.

Looking to organize your classroom cabinets? This blog shares ways you can organize your cabinets efficiently and effectively.

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Assign Themes to Shelves

Once you’ve got your cabinets themed, you’ll want to do your best to theme your shelves. Here is what I mean by that.

The most important thing when it comes to organizing classroom cabinets is to give everything a home. You can do that by using baskets, bins, and labels. You’ll see that the majority of my bins and baskets don’t match. Since they are all inside and covered up by the cabinet doors- it’s okay!

Being organized isn’t always about how “cute” everything looks and whether or not it matches, but that everything has a place to go. Don’t be discouraged by all the Pinterest or Instagram worthy classrooms you see online- it’s not a reality for most of us!

Focus on creating themes, homes, and routines for all of your materials and your classroom will immediately feel more organized and manageable! Let me help you get your classroom organized with the free organization challenge.

Want to read more about getting organized? Check out the Classroom Organization Guidebook– a resource full of ideas, strategies, and practical things you can do to get your classroom organized (and a whole section on how to organize classroom cabinets!).