Get Organized by Setting up a Command Center

Clutter is my Public Enemy Number One and probably yours too. Between the mail, the bills, the kids’ school papers, those adorable school art projects and all The Other Things I often feel like I might lose my mind. And everyone knows we can’t have mom losing her mind, right? So what are we to do? Create a command center aka drop zone.

A command center should fit your families needs.   While the spaces I’m going to show you are beautiful and functional, you should look to them for inspiration. Take that inspo, evaluate your own needs and sketch out your plan!

Look at this beautiful command center… would this work for your family?

Dwell.Organized  shared this beautiful space and these tips with us.  It’s a wonderful example of how to keep track of family events/activities, menu planning and even help with paper clutter.

1. A large calendar will display the month’s activities.  Simply assign each family member a different color of ink to keep them involved.
2. A chalkboard or whiteboard can be used to jot down meal plans, specific events, reminders or even chores for the week. (I personally keep a print out of my kids weekly chore chart in our command center.  I’ll be sharing that printable with you in a future post.  Join our mailing list to get it first).
3. Wall hung baskets are a great way to sort mail, bills and action items like permission forms from school.  Don’t forget to file or discard complete items once they have been dealt with!  (My mom was a master organizer, you never found clutter or papers in her home.  Her number one secret was touching paper ONCE.  Her motto “when paper comes into the house, you touch it once.  Trash it, pay it, or file it.”  I was always amazed at how organized she was.)  

This next space has my name written all over it! It’s a beautiful example of a functional Farmhouse style command center. Laura over at Little Yellow Wheel Barrow created it, she even made the antique desk ya’ll. Talk about talented!

Laura gave her command center a homey feeling by adding a picture board hanger that was a DIY project, which she gives step by step instructions for us on her website. She added a chalkboard, metal pockets (which are great for corralling her mail until she has time to deal with it) and a push pin board which was also a DIY project – did I mention this gal is TALENTED? Lastly, and quite possibly my favorite part of her command center is the clipboards that hold her to do lists (think daily, weekly, monthly etc.) Doesn’t this space look so nice and put together, yet totally functional?

Now, lets take a look at Lindi’s Industrial command center! She took a small area in her kitchen and turned it into her amazing family hub. She shares the before and afters, along with some pretty awesome DIY’s on her blog at Love Create Celebrate. Go check it out!

You may be thinking, but I don’t have a space in my kitchen or I need a mudroom to create a command center or drop zone. Well that is NOT the case at all. Take a look at what Ashley with Our Rustic Paradise did. She took the long hallway between her kids bedrooms an created the perfect space that helps keep her sane. She used lots of wall hooks and big over-sized galvanized bins to contain All The Things. It’s not only functional but also a gorgeous and creative space.

Do you already have a command center / drop zone in your home? Join us on our Dogs N Decor Facebook page to share in the inspiration and fun!