10 Classroom Organization Tips

Let’s be real—classroom organization is so much more than tossing supplies in a bin or slapping a label on a cabinet. True organization is about creating systems that actually work for you and your students. It’s about designing your space with purpose, setting routines that flow, and using your layout to support your classroom management strategies!

You already know we live for gorgeous classrooms but the most beautiful ones are the rooms that function just as well as they look! This year, we’re stepping up our organization game with new products that make it easier than ever! Ready to get organized? Here are 10 classroom organization tips that you need to be implementing this year, all shown in our Pretty in Pastel Classroom Makeover!

10 Classroom Organization Tips

1.  Seasonal Crates

Make switching out seasonal materials a breeze with our Seasonal Bin Labels! Just add them to any crate for easy, aesthetic monthly organization. Whether you're using them to store monthly units, holiday-themed activities, or classroom decor, you can’t go wrong. They are available  in color palettes that coordinate with nearly every classroom theme and collection, these labels keep things tidy and on trend!

In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we used these labels by printing them on cardstock and attaching them to white crates with our go-to: trusty Mavalus tape!  We placed the crates on top of student cubbies for an easy-access storage solution that’s as functional as it is beautiful. When your storage looks this cute, there’s no need to hide it!

 

2.  Library Labels

The library is one of the most important and sacred spaces in any early childhood classroom. These are the foundational years when students begin learning to read and develop a lifelong love of books—so it’s essential to create a space that feels welcoming, comfortable, and easy to navigate independently. And it all starts with good organization!

Our Library Labels are a game-changer when it comes to setting up a successful classroom library. Designed with early learners in mind, they provide visual cues and support print-to-picture association—helping children connect words with images as they explore different genres and topics. These labels also promote independence, making it easier for students to find what they’re looking for and clean up successfully, which supports strong classroom management.

With 180 different labels to choose from, you can create a system that’s tailored to your students' needs and interests—and easily swap them out as your collection grows or changes throughout the year!

In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we used our Pastel Library Labels on book bins throughout the entire library area. Not only did they perfectly complement the soft, calming color palette, but they also made the space feel cohesive, organized, and easy to navigate. These labels don’t just look pretty—they offer major benefits for students too, promoting independence, supporting early literacy skills, and creating a library space that truly works for young readers.

 

3. Supply Labels

Nothing causes classroom chaos faster than mystery bins, unlabeled tubs, and scrambling to find materials right before a lesson. Our Classroom Supply Labels mark your supplies clearly (and cutely!) with icons and text so students always know where things go. Markers, scissors, glue sticks, sharpened pencils, manipulatives—you name it! This simple touch promotes independence, keeps your materials in good shape, and saves you from answering “Where does this go?” 400 times a week.

In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we label clear Sterlite bins with our Pastel Supply Labels and stored them all in Ikea shelves under the classroom command center because it is a central location that students can access easily without disrupting the flow of the room! 

 

4. Binders Behind the Desk

Keep your personal and teaching materials organized with labeled binders behind your desk. Lesson plans, assessment data, meeting notes, parent communication—it all needs a home! Our Editable Binder Covers and Spines make it easy to stay organized, polished, and on theme without sacrificing style.

We especially love using the space behind the teacher desk to store (and show off!) binders. Since binders often hold important documents—like test scores, curriculum maps, or teacher files—they're best kept within easy reach for you, but out of the way of little hands. In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we used pastel binders to match the classroom color scheme and topped it off with our Editable Binder Covers and Spines for a functional, picture-perfect display!

 

5. Blank Editable Labels 

Book bins aren’t just for books—they’re one of the most versatile tools in your classroom! Our Blank Editable Labels let you customize bins for anything: student folders, subject areas, unfinished work, early finisher activities—you name it. While they’re perfectly sized for book bins, they work just as well on drawers, tubs, or shelves, making it easy to repurpose and reorganize as your needs change throughout the year. There are also bigger sizes available to suit the many needs of a teacher!

In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we used these blank labels on book bins and left them empty so the teacher could personalize them based on students’ evolving needs!

6. Monday–Friday Daily Bin Labels

Weekly planning = way less stress. Set up M–F Daily Bin Labels to hold copies, books, and materials for each day of the week so you’re always one step ahead. It’s a simple system that helps you stay organized and prepped, especially when things get busy or you're out for a sub.

We set these bins up next to the teacher’s desk and behind the small group table in our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover! This setup keeps materials easily accessible for the teacher—right where they’re needed most—while staying out of reach of little hands.

 

7. Student Mailbox

A labeled Student Mailbox File System is a game changer for classroom organization and even helps with classroom management! This Student Mailbox system makes it as easy as popping some file folders in a crate and sticking the labels on! Your students handle the rest whether you use this for them to grab school to home communication, to send home papers, return graded work, or keep notes organized. It saves time and teaches responsibility!

 

8. Student Data Bins

Whether you’re tracking assessments, observations, or intervention notes—staying organized is a must. Just like our student mailbox system, we used a simple white crate and file folders to create a streamlined Student Data Folder Labels setup. With our labels, everything is easy to access and beautifully organized. A tidy data system makes planning more efficient and keeps you prepared for parent conferences, IEP meetings, and everything in between!

9. Guided Reading Group Bins 

Take the guesswork out of small group time with clearly labeled bins for each guided reading group, math group, or any activity you use your small group table for! Our Editable Group Organizer Set helps store leveled readers, response journals, and group-specific materials all in one spot to keep instruction seamless and stress-free.

In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we placed these Editable Group Organizer Set labels on book bins right next to the small group table—making them easily accessible for both the teacher and students during group work!

 

10. Teacher Toolbox and Rolling Cart Labels 

Keep your go-to supplies neat, labeled, and within reach with our Editable Teacher Toolbox Labels and Editable Rolling Cart Labels! These editable labels make it easy to organize everything from paper clips and pens to Post-its and stickers—so you’re never scrambling through drawers again. Whether you're using a desktop toolbox or a rolling cart, these labels bring order (and style!) to your everyday essentials.

In our Pretty in Pastel classroom makeover, we used the toolbox labels on a classic teacher toolbox placed right on the teacher desk—making supplies easy to grab and creating a mini privacy wall in the process! We also used the rolling cart labels to organize a cart near the teacher’s desk, perfect for laying out plans and grabbing materials on the fly.

 

To Wrap It All Up:

An organized classroom doesn’t just look good—it works better. From functional labels and flexible storage to behind-the-scenes systems and student-friendly spaces, these small tweaks can have a big impact on your daily routine!

So whether you're revamping your setup or starting fresh, these 10 classroom organization tips and materials will help you create a space that’s calm, consistent, and completely customized to the way you teach! Let’s get organized—and make this your most seamless school year yet! 

Show us how you organize your space using #SchoolgirlStyled!