This post is all about how to organize backpack.
You’re sitting here googling “how to organize backpack” because, let me guess… your backpack always ends up with crumpled papers shoved at the bottom, crumbs in every pocket, and lost tubes of lip balm that only resurface months after you wonder where they went.
Sound familiar? Or maybe it’s not quite that bad for you, but you still want to know a BETTER way to organize your backpack so it finally lasts all school year without getting cluttered.
You’ve stumbled on the right post! Here, you’ll find ALL the best tips on how to keep your backpack organized as someone who spent years in high school and college trying to figure it out.
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HOW TO ORGANIZE BACKPACK:
1. Figure out what needs to stay easy access
Before you do ANYTHING, you’ll want to identify what needs to be kept easy to access. That’s the #1 key to an organized backpack because it prevents you from messing around with the organization of your backpack.
Think through your daily routine when you’re out and about. What do you reach for most in your backpack?
It might be items like:
- Wallet
- Keys
- Phone
- Lip gloss
- Gum
Now look at the pockets your backpack has and figure out what pockets would provide the easiest access for which items. For example, if you have a smaller pocket on the front or top of your backpack, that might be a good place to keep your lip gloss and gum so you always know where it is.
2. Use attached keychains or compartments
A great option for your keys or wallet is to attach it to a lanyard like this and then attach the lanyard to a zipper or loop on the inside of your backpack. This way it won’t fall to the bottom of your backpack and be difficult to find!
Personally, I have a small pouch (similar to these pouches) that attaches to the inside of my bag that I stick my keys in so they’re always easy to find. This depends on what type of backpack you have, but most backpacks will have somewhere you can stick a smaller pouch or attach your keys!
3. Assign a role to every compartment
The easiest way for items to get lost in your backpack is to have a million separate compartments that have no real purpose.
Look at all the different pockets of your backpack and decide what will go where. For example, here’s how I organize one of my backpacks:
- Main compartment: lunch, key pouch, wallet, extra clothes, chargers, power bank
- Back flat pocket: laptop and iPad
- Front small pocket 1: pens and stationery
- Front small pocket 2: lip gloss, moisturizer, any other self care products
- Side pockets: water bottle, coffee cup
Having a general idea of what goes where really helps me maximize the space in my backpack AND remember where I put everything.
4. Get a cord organizer
A cord organizer has been the BIGGEST game changer for keeping my backpack organized.
I hate having loose cords that get tangled in my bag or just fall to the bottom and then are impossible to get out. But you can get a simple, compact cord pouch for your laptop charger, phone charger, and any other cords you have to organize. This frees up so much extra room in your bag just by keeping everything together!
5. Get a stationery case
Pencil cases or stationery cases are definitely an essential if you’re in school.
If you don’t use a lot of stationery, I still recommend having a small pencil case that stores a couple pens because you never know when you’ll need them. Otherwise, you can get a super compact and organized pencil case that holds all the stationery supplies and smaller items you need!
Here are the top stationery supplies I recommend for college.
6. Group similar items
If you want a hack for a little organization magic, remember to group similar items together. This will help everything from feeling all over the place.
For example, if you’re able, keep all your tech in one pocket (it might be the main compartment, unless your backpack has a separate laptop/iPad sleeve).
When you have items grouped together (especially smaller items like stationery and personal care supplies), it prevents things from falling to the bottom of the bag and getting seemingly lost for good.
7. Aim to leave extra space
If you pack everything in your backpack and feel like it’s a pretty cramped space (as in, you wouldn’t have space to fit much more comfortably), it might be a sign that you need a bigger (or just different) backpack.
What happens on a rainy day when you have to pack an umbrella or extra rain jacket? Or, what do you do if you need an extra change of clothes one day or you need to pack more food for a longer day?
It’s always nice to have extra space so that if you do end up needing extra stuff at some point, you’re not struggling to fit everything in. That’s when everything will start to become disorganized because you’ll have to rearrange your whole system just to make every square inch count.
8. Always put food in a plastic bag
I have learned from experience that sometimes the best organization hacks are not always the cutest or most aesthetic. I ALWAYS put my lunch/snacks in a plastic shopping bag so that if anything happens to spill or crumbs happen to get loose, I haven’t suddenly ruined my backpack.
Even if it’s something in a package that you think won’t spill, it’s always safest to put it in a plastic bag to keep your backpack in good shape.
I have shoved granola bars or packaged snacks into my bag only to find that the packaging ripped and got crumbs everywhere, or it fell under some books and I forgot about it for months. Both scenarios are not fun!!
When you have everything together in a plastic bag, you’ll be able to take it out immediately when you get home without forgetting what food you packed (because something fell to the bottom) or risking getting crumbs everywhere.
9. Water bottle storage
There aren’t too many options for water bottle storage, but it’s still something to think about… if you don’t have water bottle pockets on the side of your backpack for a water bottle, it might be worth getting a flat water bottle that you can easily slide into the main compartment of your backpack without worrying about it spilling.
I recommend these flat water bottles! They avoid making your backpack so bulky.
10. Have extra packing cubes on hand
Packing cubes are one of the best space-saving hacks. You might not need to fill your backpack with packing cubes on a regular basis, but it’s always good to have a few on hand so that if you need to pack an extra outfit, rain gear, or additional items one day, you still have an organized bag where everything is easy to access.
Keeping these on hand will help you make sure you always have a designated spot for everything you’re carrying.
11. Keep a dedicated space for your backpack at home
A well-stored backpack makes your life so much easier at home and actually helps you maintain the organization of your actual backpack better, too. If you have a proper storage spot for your backpack, you can work it into your daily routine to put it there when you get home so you always know where to find it when you want to pack or unpack it for the day.
This will entirely depend on your living space. You might have space to store your backpack in your front closet, on a hook by the door, or even set it against an empty wall where it won’t be in the way.
Adding a hook on the back of doors or wall-mounted racks are also great uses of vertical space, if you have a space where it makes sense to do that.
There’s usually no perfect storage solution, especially if you’re living in a dorm, apartment, or small house. But having a specific space for your backpack (think of it like a dedicated parking spot) will help you keep everything in order. If you can keep a well-organized home, you can keep a well-organized backpack!
Hope you loved all these “how to organize backpack” tips!
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