Showing posts with label Organized Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organized Living. Show all posts

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Obsessions from a Jealous Mom...seeking a Kick A$$ Command Center


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)



But first, here are a few things to do to GET READY:
 (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.


7. Make it pretty.    Pick a color scheme for your command center.  Then, instead of buying plain manila folders, find some with a fun pattern.  Don’t be afraid to use pops of brighter colors too!  Make pretty labels using your printer, craft cutting machine, or pre-cut letter stickers from the scrapbook section of the craft store.  Create a family Command Center that makes you smile each time you walk past it.


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.

A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Family Command Center via The Homes I Have Made


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Kid’s Command Center via The Colored Door


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Command Center via The Caldwell Project


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Family Command Center via See Vanessa Craft


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Refrigerator Command Center via Not Just a Housewife


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Laundry Room Command Center via The Lily Pad Cottage 



A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Cabinet Command Center/Organized Drop Space via Just a Girl Blog


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Central Command Center via Jenna Burger


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Organization Station via I Am Momma Hear Me Roar


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Family Command Center via Just a Girl And Her Blog


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Kitchen Command Center via How to Nest for Less


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Schoolwork Command Center via From Overwhelmed to Organized


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
“Mega Mom Board” Command Center via The Elusive Bobbin


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Kitchen Command Center via Clean and Scentsible


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
School Command Center via A Bowl Full of Lemons


A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!

A great list of 20 different organized "command centers" - amazing inspiration to actually create one myself!
Organization Station via Bliss at Home

Family Command Center on a budget by Miss Frugal Fancy Pants would work great in a Home Office Space.

  • 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!








Featured Post

How To Make Your Blog Go Viral

Blogging, Lessons on working, Stay at Home Moms by: Kel Amstutz Last year, I posted a blog post that went viral . (much to MY surp...