Family Command Centers: Organizing Your Busy Family
Do you find yourself overwhelmed with the daily struggle of managing your household? Whether your family consists of 2 or 12, the balance between navigating schedules, paying the bills, birthdays, school events, work and so much more can be all-consuming.
Enter the Command Center! A command center is a centralized location for inputs, processes, and outputs. The military uses them. Why shouldn’t we? Family command centers are places where you can input all of your family’s important dates and times visually—surrounded by your family’s daily processes like chores, meals, notes, and to-dos. With back-to-school just around the corner, now is the perfect time to create your very own command center. Follow my steps to organize your busy family today.
Step 1: Pick a Location
The command center should be in a central location in your home. I have mine set up on a wall between the kitchen and living room. I feel that most of my at-home time is spent in the kitchen, and since people are always hungry, it’s usually a busy area.
Step 2: command center calendar
This should be the center of the command center. From Amazon to Etsy, calendar options are endless! I recommend dry erase so you can update and reuse it for years. Below are some of my favorite centerpieces for a command center.
This dry-erase calendar is the one I have in my home. It’s from Inspired Decor Co. on Etsy. It has a place for your menu and notes on it as well.
Here is a simple budget-friendly option from U Brands on Amazon. It only cost around $23!
Here is a glass calendar from Target for a simple modern look.
No matter what style of calendar you choose, be sure to measure your space and choose a calendar that is large enough to fit all of your important dates for your family. After all, the calendar is the heart of your command center.
Step 3: command center must have options
Every family is different, so there are no one-size-fits-all command center must-haves. Below are some of my recommendations.
- Menu Board-A place to write down your meals for the week so you can shop and plan ahead. Also, a place for the family to check what’s for dinner each night, saving you time answering questions about it!
- Shopping List & Reminders-A place to make notes on what you need to shop for and reminders for any to-dos you may have coming up.
- Notes-Here you can write any notes or reminders for the week or month. Or, it can be a place for you to leave a cute “I love you” or inspirational quote on your way out the door for the day.
- Family Chore Chart-Have a chore chart so everyone knows their roles for the week and what they are responsible for. Helpful for adults and kids alike!
- Hanging Wall Paper Organizers-Take out menus, sports schedules, bills…These can also be used for kids. One for each child. They can be used to hold your child’s daily take-home folder and homework.
- Paper for Quick Notes-A simple roll of kraft paper for a grab-and-go note is always handy.
- Cork Board or Magnetic Strip-Here is a good place for party invitations, kid’s artwork, or greeting cards.
- Key Hooks-Hanging keys in the same spot every day can save you time!
Step 4: put it all together
I approach my command center as I would a gallery wall, and Command™ Picture Hanging Strips are going to be your best friend! They are strong and non-damaging! Pick some command center options listed above to create a simple layout. Below are some layout options. The possibilities are endless. Print & Proper has a great blog post about how to lay out a gallery wall that can be very helpful here.
Family Command Center Layout Option 1-With Cork Strip
Family Command Center Layout Option 2-With Paper Holders for Kids
Family Command Center Layout Option 3-With Paper Roll and Small Shelf
Family Command Center Layout Option 4-With Shelf on Top
Money Saving Tip
Make your own or download my charts for free! You just print out the charts on paper and place them in an 8 ½ by 11-inch picture frame! You can write right on the glass with dry erase markers! Click on the images to get your free download.
DIY command center too much work for you?
If a DIY Command Center feels like too much work, there are All-In-One Systems you can purchase! Here are a few options at different price points!
pottery barn daily system $$$
1 Thrive command your life $$
The home depot $
Having a command center will streamline your day-to-day tasks and save you precious time that you could be spending with your loved ones!
Do you already have a command center that you love? Leave a comment below and share the creative ways that you organize your busy family!