How to Organize Your Locker

Sometimes, it feels like keeping your locker organized is harder than advanced trigonometry. But it doesn’t have to be that way! If you feel overwhelmed by the state of your locker, start with a clean slate (literally) by taking everything out of your locker. From there, you can use some supplies to help you organize your books, papers, pens, and other belongings to create a welcoming and easy-to-navigate space. We’ve got plenty of locker organization ideas, so keep reading to find what tips and tricks will work best for you!

Things You Should Know

Invest in locker accessories like hooks, shelves, and magnetic organizers.
Follow your class schedule when organizing your locker to easily find textbooks and binders.
Clean out your locker at the end of the week to start Monday with a newly organized space.

1

Install magnetic hooks to hang clothes or bags.

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Use up vertical space by installing magnetic hooks. Not only are magnetic hooks easy to install and remove, but they also give you a feasible place to hang your gym bag or jacket. All you have to do is open the packaging and press the magnet end of the hook to the inside of the locker—it’s that simple!
- Place your hooks higher up in your locker to easily store books and other supplies underneath whatever’s hanging.

2

Use a locker shelf to maximize space.

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If your locker doesn’t have a built-in shelf, get a plastic or metal locker shelf. A shelf will help you to separate the limited space you have, allowing you to keep books in one place and supplies in another. Basically, it divides your locker in half.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Locker shelves come in many shapes and sizes, so measure your locker before you buy.
- Pick a locker shelf that matches the color of your locker or is your favorite color.
- If you can’t find a color you like, try spray painting the shelf to match all your aesthetic needs.

3

Attach magnetic locker organizers.

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Smaller pockets with magnets help you make the most of the small space. Having handfuls of loose paper floating around is normal throughout the school year. Your locker can become a dumping ground, so why not make the dumping a bit more organized? Stick a magnetic folder holder or basket to the inside wall of your locker. Now, you’ll have a space to neatly place your papers, so they don’t get stuffed under textbooks throughout the day.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you take multiple classes, try picking an organizer with multiple pockets. This way, you can slide assignments and notes into their corresponding class pocket.
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Alicia Oglesby
Professional School Counselor
Alicia Oglesby is a Professional School Counselor and the Director of School and College Counseling at Bishop McNamara High School outside of Washington DC. With over ten years of experience in counseling, Alicia specializes in academic advising, social-emotional skills, and career counseling. Alicia holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Applied Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. She also studied Race and Mental Health at Virginia Tech. Alicia holds Professional School Counseling Certifications in both Washington DC and Pennsylvania. She has created a college counseling program in its entirety and developed five programs focused on application workshops, parent information workshops, essay writing collaborative, peer-reviewed application activities, and financial aid literacy events.
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Professional School Counselor
Make your locker's design efficient and easy to use. Install shelf organizers inside lockers to neatly arrange books by subject, with personal touches like cool stickers and a mirror on the door to give the space some flair. Don’t forget to clear out trash and stray papers regularly so it doesn’t get messy.

4

Stick a magnetic dry-erase board on the inside of your locker.

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A dry erase board is great for writing small notes or reminders. Unlike sticky notes or loose paper, a dry erase board won’t clutter your locker space. It’s easy to write on and clean up—a win-win! Simply stick a magnetic dry erase board to the inside door of your locker, and write on it whenever you see fit.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Many locker dry erase boards already come with a dry erase marker, but you can always purchase more so you have more colors to choose from.
- Keep a magnetic dry erase marker on the door next to your board or store a handful of colored markers in a magnetic cup on the door.

5

Stack heavier items on the bottom of your locker shelf.

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Bulkier textbooks and binders are harder to remove from the top shelf. Locker organization is all about thinking, “What will benefit me and my locker throughout the day?” Chances are, you’re not going to want to pull down a heavy textbook after a long class. Place your larger books and materials at the bottom of the locker. This way, they won’t fall on you while you try to take them off a high shelf.
- With this in mind, store your lighter notebooks and supplies on higher or top shelves.
- Putting heavier items at the bottom of the locker will also keep shelves from warping and bending over time.

6

Arrange your books and supplies by schedule.

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Keep your supplies organized so your locker stays tidy. When you’re in a rush, you don’t want to search for the right books for your next class. Organize your books and supplies from left to right according to the order of your classes—just remember to set everything back in order before the day ends.
- Try color-coding your books and materials to make things even easier. Designate a color for each class, and pick supplies that match or place a color-coded sticker on the spine.
- Organize your textbooks and binders with the spines facing out. This way, you can easily identify everything.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Consider labeling the spines of your books and binders if they’re blank. Use a label maker or permanent marker to write out the name of each class.

7

Keep similar items grouped together to prevent clutter.

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Storage containers can help you organize smaller belongings. Rather than dumping everything in all at once, consider making designated spaces for each type of item. For example, place all your spare pencils in a magnetic cup or pencil bag and store lip balm and mints in a small locker drawer or bin. This way, everything has its home, and you’ll be less likely to lose something.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you wear jewelry, keep a small dish or plastic container in your locker so you can safely store your jewelry before gym class.

8

Stick your class schedule to the inside door.

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Always remember which class is next with a schedule inside your locker. Make things easier on yourself by printing out your schedule and putting it on the inside door of your locker. Use tape, sticky tack, or fun locker magnets to hang it up. This way, you’ll be able to reference it whenever you need to!^{[6]XResearch source}
- Slip your schedule into a sheet protector to protect it from any spills or mishaps.

9

Use a miniature trash can to throw away small items.

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Small bits of garbage can easily stack up inside your locker. Solve this problem by keeping a small trash can or bin inside your locker (this is especially handy if your locker isn’t close to a school trash can). Toss old papers, gum wrappers, and/or pencil shavings in your tiny can and empty it once it gets full. This will keep your space clean and save you those extra steps to the trash can.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Avoid throwing food or food wrappers away in your locker as discarded food can leave a foul smell.
- Consider making your own trash can by painting a small mason jar.

10

Make it a habit to regularly clean out your locker.

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Weekly clean-ups will make your locker look and feel more organized. Before you go home to enjoy the weekend, spend a few moments cleaning out any trash and reorganizing your books and materials. Some things may have moved around throughout the week, and that’s totally normal! Simply put everything back in its rightful place so you can start Monday with a freshly organized locker.
- Take home any extra items you don’t need in your locker right now—you can always bring them back later if you need to!

Expert Q&A

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Question
How should I stack things in my locker?
Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University.
Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Expert Answer
Lockers are naturally vertical most of the time, so arranging things vertically is probably going to be the most efficient way to go. So, don't lay things horizontally in your locker and stack them that way; lean them up on their sides and use each shelf and section to store a separate row of items.
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How often should I clean out my locker?
Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University.
Kathi Burns, CPO®
Board Certified Professional Organizer
Expert Answer
Spend 5-10 minutes a day re-organizing, throwing out trash, and putting things where they belong. It really shouldn't be a monumental task to just take a few minutes to put things in their place every day, and this will keep you from needing to do any kind of massive purge or re-organization every month.
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How can I personalize my locker if it's small?
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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Consider adding a locker shelf or hanging file folder of your favorite color. This is a great way to add a personal touch while also maximizing your space.
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Clean out your locker before you start organizing. This way, everything will be nice and tidy for you to put everything back into place.
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Arrange your textbooks, binders, and supplies from left to right to match your schedule. That way, you can just grab and go when the bell rings! If you want to get even more organized, try color-coding your stuff by class.
Make the most of your locker's space by adding handy shelves and magnetic accessories like hooks, folders, and bins. They'll help you neatly separate everything and keep items from getting tossed at the bottom.
Do a quick yet thorough locker cleanout every Friday — toss trash, put everything back where it belongs, and bring textbooks home you don't need. You'll feel ready to tackle Monday with an organized locker!
Place thicker textbooks and chunky binders on lower shelves so you don't drop them on your head trying to pull them down! Keep lightweight notebooks and loose papers up top where they're easier to reach.
Stick a magnetic dry-erase board on the inside of your locker door to jot reminders, doodle during boring times, or write down any sudden schedule changes. Keep extra markers handy in a fun magnetic cup.
Designate containers or trays to group smaller items like pens, jewelry, and lip balm so they don't end up buried under your textbooks. Magnetic versions attach right inside your locker!
If you share a locker, make sure to ask the person you share with about the things that they want to keep!

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