Who has a perfectly organized home?
If you answered no, then you need a secret weapon to organize all of your stuff- the family command center.
If you answered yes, then I would love to hear YOUR secrets!
Anyhoo, nobody likes to look at stacks of paper or scribbled notes thrown haphazardly on the counter. At some point along the way, school papers get tangled with mail ads and magazines merge with bills.
That’s when the family command center saves the day. This amazing super tool has the power to organize everything you need and can be customized for your environment. It has helped me out in many ways and can work for your family too!
(This post contains some affiliate links, which means if you click on the links, I receive a small amount of money that helps to fund my blog.)
How to create a family command center
1) Location, location, location– Find a central location that is convenient for everyone. You don’t want to use a remote area of the house that no one sees every day.
Think a wall in the living room, corner of the kitchen, entryway, mudroom/laundry room on the first floor, etc. Everyone has a space that can be converted to a command center.
2) You don’t need a lot of space– Don’t worry if you only have a three foot square space of empty wall or a tiny corner in the main living area. Any space will work, as long as you have a plan.
My family command center is on a 3 foot by 8 foot wall in my kitchen that has to stay pretty flat on the wall or else everyone will bump into it, but it works great for us, especially since I don’t have enough counter space for organizing.
3) Decide on your main goals for the space– I know it’s fun to find pretty boxes, baskets, etc., but you must figure out your main objectives first.
Do you want a better spot for papers or a place to park your children’s backpacks? Do you want to display weekly menus or notes? Maybe you need a place for the family calendar. Make sure your intention is set before buying all of the cute containers.
4) Determine the main zones– Once your main goals are established, then you can figure out what zones your family needs.
For example, my family command center wall has a space for pens/pencils, our family mission statement, an inspirational quote, dry erase board, papers/magazines and clipboards for my girls’ important papers. Obviously, you will have your own categories that work for your family.
5) Each child should have their own organizer– This can be a drawer, box, clipboard, etc. They just need some place to park their things that don’t have a home.
6) Appearance counts– Yes, in this case, it’s all about the looks. You want to be inspired to keep things neat and tidy. Especially when the family command center is visible for everyone to see. You want a calm, appealing space that fits your décor, while being functional.
Luckily there are many adorable organizers out there to choose from. Or you can create or repurpose your own if you’re crafty. Also, you can add a quote, photos or artwork to help the area mesh with the rest of the house. We developed a family mission statement, so I added that to the display.
7) Learn from others– I scoured the internet to find ideas for my command center wall, as I had no idea where to start. Don’t be afraid to take someone else’s idea and make it fit your own style! That’s why people post their ideas.
8) Your family command center will morph with time– And that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be a static thing that never changes. It can transform with your family’s changing needs, especially as your children get older.
A selection of organizers that can help you along the way:
- 5 shelf wall rack– This is the one I used for my command center wall and it’s very sturdy.
- Wall mounted three compartment metal basket – The baskets could be organizers for your children, mail, etc.
- Storage rack with corkboard and key hooks– Because who doesn’t need a place for keys and notes?
- Chalkboard organizer– Perfect for storing mail and magazines as well as writing what’s for dinner.
- Charging station– This is the one I use to stay plugged in and keep my devices organized.
- Organizer caddy– You never have to look for a pen or paper clips again.
- Corner organizer– This clever organizer can be positioned vertically or horizontally.
With these simple ideas to produce your own family command center, you can banish the clutter and become the queen of organizing! No more chaotic environment leading to a chaotic life. With a little thought and work, you will find that you have more time to enjoy your family and your life.
“Clutter is not just the stuff on the floor- it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.”
– Peter Walsh
