When the leaves on my birch tree turn from summery green to yellow, and start to flutter down like confetti, I know fall is just around the corner. And with each new season comes new routines, which I love. I’m excited to get back into a fall routine, and to make it easier, I’ve been dreaming of setting up a family command center in our home. I want a place where we can post our shared calendar of events, display a weekly menu, create a list of needed items, post important school forms and special invitations, and even display a vision board for inspiration.

Here’s the challenge, which is really every organizing challenge, it needs to function well, and look good. Right now, the fridge is our command center; I created it with a few $5 items from Target and it works just fine. I am a firm believer in trying something inexpensive, and preferably using what you already have, when organizing. After you live with it for a few months, you can adjust it if you need to.

If you are debating setting up a family command center on the fridge, here are the positives: it’s highly visible, it’s easy to interact with, it’s inexpensive to create. All you need are a few magnetic white boards, dry erase markers, and some cute magnets. You may already have two of the three items! The downsides are: it can make the fridge look cluttered, it makes the fridge harder to clean, and there’s limited space.

Now that I’ve tried mine for three months, it’s time to see what else is out there. Here are some that inspired me:

I like this one because it provides a lot of space, and versatility. You could make it yourself with a piece of sheet metal and a frame.

I like the mix of items here, and that it’s close to the kitchen.

I like that you could have a basket for every person in the family.

This is genius! A family command center/office in a closet.

Another cool hack.  Command Center in a pantry.

Here are some of my favorites from Etsy.  If you click the image it will take you to the shop.

This would be just the thing for a mid-century home!

I LOVE this one!  It’s made by a Seattle designer, Sarah, from Chart a la Carte, and it has some great features:  you can replace the fabric background seasonally, it has a cork, magnetic, and chalkboard section that can be replaced with magnets, and it has a closed compartment with a magnetic backing.  I decided to order it yesterday and Sarah just hand delivered it this morning!  It turns out we live five minutes from each other.  I’ll let you know how it works!

I hope these command center ideas inspired you!  If you would like to work with me to create a family command center in your home, reach out! I’d love to work with you.

Lauren