As we slowly creep into the nearing second full week of school, I must admit that I am a
JEALOUS
right now, of all those Moms who have fabulous organizational skills (at home) and to be frank, Kick A$$ Command Centers.
Envy comes into my mind as I sit here, looking at the empty wall where I would love to create such space, lacking the determination, drive, and/or vision to make it happen.
Well, pin awesome pictures of Kick A$$ command centers and dream, duh! Maybe one day..(I totally sighed here too!)
So, whilst I am still dreaming, I wanted to share 20 AMAZING, drool worthy Command Centers that I see in my...distant...future.
(Hey, my little one hits school next year...maybe that is what I am waiting for? sounds good anywhoo)
(as you can see, I am still stuck HERE! LOL)
1. Find the right space. A command center isn’t going to help you if it’s not in a place that makes sense. It should be somewhere in the main-traffic-path of your home – maybe right inside the garage door, in the kitchen, or even the mudroom. The closer you can get to the “drop zone” – you know, where all the stuff gets dropped right after you get in the door – the better!
2. Take inventory of your clutter. Here’s a great way to figure out the clutter that regularly accumulates in your space – without tidying up first – take a pad of paper and a pen and go write down everything you see lying around your space. This is good to do mid-week, when the daily mess has really had a chance to grow. You’ll see things like keys, phones, wallets, mail, school papers, random papers, lists, coupons, and probably much more. Write it ALL down. If you need a place for something that doesn’t already have a home, start a list for your Command Center. Including things that will need a home within the "new space".
3. Determine the essentials. Things to consider – Calendar, dinner menu, shopping list, schedule/routine, To-Do list, frequently called or emergency phone number list, in/out box for mail/bills and school papers, receipts file, coupon file, pen/pencil storage, charging station for phones/devices, hooks for keys, clock, soccer schedule, etc.. Based on the list you made in step #2, what are the things that you want to have included in your Command Center?
4. Make it personal. Think about including a place to display photos, greeting cards, or children’s art work. Or creating some artwork with your family name or initials to hang. You could find an inspirational word or quote to print and frame. Think about using that Cricut Expression that you hardly ever use to cut some vinyl wall decor. I
5. Design it. Decide how much flat space and how much wall space you want for your command center. Next, you need to determine a budget – how much are you willing to spend on this command center? (Remember that you can always add to it later.)
After that comes the fun part – grab a cup of your coffee and spend some quality time on Pinterest browsing Command Centers. Think through your plan. Are you creating a separate space for each member of your family? Or grouping by category? How will you control clutter on flat spaces? Consider height – what do the smaller members of your family need to be able to reach? Don’t forget about the list you made in #1 – make sure you create a place for everything! Now, sketch out a “blueprint” of your command center. You’ll probably go through several drafts until you settle on something that will work.
6. Go shopping. Watch yourself because this is where you can GET CRAZY! My advice – go to the ATM and get cash in the amount of your total budget. (If you’re ordering items online, be sure to account for that money out of your budget.) That way, you’ll be less likely to impulse-buy and more likely to stick to your list. Some things that might be on your list: clipboards, frames, magnetic chalkboard/whiteboards, dry erase calendar, wall file organizer and file folders, hooks, cork boards, magnets, push pins, chalk or dry erase markers.
I want to let you all know that there really is not right or wrong way to set up your command center. Have a vision and try to shoot for that. Make it functional for you.
20 Kick A$$ Command Center Ideas!
I went through my Pinterest Boards to share some of the kick a$$ command center ideas that I have seen. No matter what kind of space you’re working with, I think you’ll find something helpful in this incredible list of beautifully organized spaces.
Family Command Center via The Homes I Have Made
Kid’s Command Center via The Colored Door
Command Center via The Caldwell Project
Family Command Center via See Vanessa Craft
Command Center via One Creative Housewife
Refrigerator Command Center via Not Just a Housewife
Laundry Room Command Center via The Lily Pad Cottage
Cabinet Command Center/Organized Drop Space via Just a Girl Blog
Central Command Center via Jenna Burger
Organization Station via I Am Momma Hear Me Roar
Family Command Center via Just a Girl And Her Blog
Kitchen Command Center via How to Nest for Less
Schoolwork Command Center via From Overwhelmed to Organized
“Mega Mom Board” Command Center via The Elusive Bobbin
Kitchen Command Center via Clean and Scentsible
School Command Center via A Bowl Full of Lemons
Command Center via Achieving Creative Order
Organization Station via Bliss at Home
- So what do you think – will you be tackling some organization projects around your house this month?
- Perhaps even some type of a family command center?
Hopefully these amazing spaces have inspired you!
I am getting more inspired by looking at all these awesome spaces!
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