From Chaos To Calm: How To Design A Family Command Center
As the back-to-school season arrives, the daily hustle and bustle of family life kicks into high gear. Between school runs, extracurricular activities, work commitments, and everything in between, it’s easy for your home to descend into chaos.
Enter the Family Command Center—a strategic space designed to keep everyone in the household organized, informed, and ready to tackle whatever the day throws at them. This post will walk you through how to create a command center to transform your home from a state of chaos to calm.
Choose The Right Location
The first step in setting up a Family Command Center is selecting the perfect spot. Ideally, this should be a high-traffic area that everyone in the family passes through daily—think the kitchen, entryway, mudroom, or the hallway near the garage.
While a spacious blank wall might be ideal, you can still create a highly functional command center with a small piece of wall real estate. Keep reading for pro layout tips!
Essential Elements: What To Include
A well-organized command center isn’t just a place to stash stuff—it’s a multifunctional hub that keeps your family on track. Here’s what you’ll need for a magical, well-organized system:
Pro Tip: Don’t feel bound by this list. Include what feels right for you and your family!
Calendar
The heart of your command center should be a calendar where all important dates are clearly visible. Opt for a large, easy-to-read wall calendar, or consider a dry-erase board or chalkboard calendar for easy updates. Color-coding by family member can help everyone quickly spot their own commitments.
Mail Sorting Station
Mail can quickly become clutter if not managed properly. Incorporate a mail sorting station with labeled slots or trays for incoming and outgoing mail, bills, and important papers. This helps ensure nothing important gets lost in the shuffle.
Key Hooks
Never lose your keys again! Install key hooks for each family member (and maybe even a guest hook for visitors). Consider adding a small tray or bin for other essentials like sunglasses, wallets, or pet leashes.
Corkboard Or Magnetic Board
Use a corkboard or magnetic board to display invitations, school notices, grocery lists, and other important reminders. This is also a great spot for displaying kids’ artwork or family photos, making the space both functional and personal.
Charging Station
Keep all your devices in one place with a dedicated charging station. This prevents the endless search for chargers and ensures devices are powered up and ready to go. Choose a station with multiple ports or outlets to accommodate all your gadgets.
To-Do Lists And Chore Charts
Customize your command center with a spot for to-do lists and chore charts. This can help keep everyone on top of their responsibilities, whether it’s completing homework, taking out the trash, or planning the next family outing.
How To Organize Your Command Center
Now that you’ve got the essentials, it’s time to plan your layout! I’ve outlined three options below to help you visualize different ways to organize your command center depending on the width of your wall. After these examples, I’ll share tips for creating a unique layout that works best for your space.
Calendar Dry Erase Board: We love that is customizable form the size to the frame to adding your family name and so much more!
Wall Pockets: We love that these pockets come in three colors and are easy to install.
Pin Board: We love the rich charcoal color and the ease of mix and match with it’s dry erase board cousins!
Dry Erase Board and To Do Board: We love that these are magnetic and wipe clean with ease.
Customize Your Command Center
If you’re aiming for a custom layout but aren’t quite sure where to start, here are some tips:
Identify Your Available Wall Space
Step 1: Measure the width and height of the area.
Step 2: Identify Your Priorities: Make a list of what you want to include in your command center.
Mock It Up
Step 3: Use blue painter’s tape and paper cutouts representing each item to mock up your layout. The beauty of this step is that you can move things around without making any holes in the wall!
Order Your Command Center Products
Step 4: Once your layout feels right, order the items you need.
Step 5: Install and Enjoy!
Pro Tip: You’ll avoid unnecessary purchases and extra holes in the wall by thoughtfully planning your command center.
Keep It Tidy: Maintenance Tips
A command center only works if it’s maintained. Establish a routine for keeping it organized:
Weekly Updates
Make a habit of updating the calendar at the beginning of each week. This ensures everyone is aware of upcoming events and can plan accordingly.
Daily Check-Ins
Encourage family members to check the command center every morning and evening. This helps to keep the schedule fresh in everyone’s mind and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Declutter Regularly
Remove outdated items, clear out old mail, and tidy up the space regularly to prevent clutter from creeping back in.
The Power Of A Family Command Center
The back-to-school season can bring chaos, but a well-designed Family Command Center is your secret weapon for maintaining order. By keeping schedules, responsibilities, and essential items in one centralized location, you’ll reduce stress, improve communication, and help your household run like a well-oiled machine.
Not only does a command center provide practical benefits, but it also empowers every family member to take ownership of their daily routines. Whether you’re heading out the door or wrapping up the day, your command center will be there, quietly keeping things in order so you can focus on what really matters—spending time together as a family.
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