If you’re a mom, you likely heard of family command centers and are used to seeing giant wall designs with fancy decorations and custom organizers.
Those are nice and drool-worthy, but you don’t need a command center like that to stay organized.
All you need are the basics and I’ll share with you what your family command center can include.
If you and your family are currently winging it without a central location to communicate, schedule and organize, then this post is for you.
Keep reading to get ideas and the basics of creating your family command center.
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What is a family command center?
If you’re not sure what it is or what it includes, a family command center is a central location in the home where the family can keep track of schedules, tasks, meal planning, and other important information or documents.
It’s a place where everyone in the family can access the information they need, and it can help to keep everyone organized and on track.
Why you need a family command center.
There are many benefits to having a family command center. As a mom, you know how hectic life can get and how stuff can get lost in the shuffle. Creating a central zone for your family to stay updated and organized will help your home run smoothly.
Here’s what you can expect with a family command center that works for you and your family.
Increased organization: Having all your family’s information in one place can help to reduce clutter. If your schedule, along with important documents and other tasks is kept in one area, any changes that need to be made are easier.
Improved communication: A family command center can help to improve communication within the family by making it easier to share information. No more having to chase down family members to make sure they are kept up to date.
Reduced stress: When everyone in the family is on the same page, it can help to reduce stress and increase peace of mind.
What to consider before creating your own family command center.
Creating a family command center can be easy as long as you don’t overthink it. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you get started:
1.Choose a Location
Choose a central location in the home where everyone can easily access it. For many families, the kitchen is a great spot as well as the entryway. You know your family best, so think about where your family gathers the most.
2.Determine the Elements of Your Command Center
The next step is to determine the elements of your family command center. There are several key components that most command centers include, including:
Calendar & Clock
A calendar is one of the most important components of a family command center. It’s important to choose a calendar that works for your family’s needs. Some families prefer a traditional wall calendar, while others prefer an electronic calendar that can be accessed from multiple devices.
Task list
A to-do list is another important component of a family command center. It can help everyone in the family to stay on top of their tasks and responsibilities.
Meal Planning
Meal planning is another important component of a family command center. It can help you to plan meals in advance, make grocery lists, and save time and money on food.
Communication Board
A communication board is a great way to keep everyone in the family informed about important events and activities. It can also be a place to leave notes and messages for other family members.
Supplies
You can’t use a family command center without the basics like pens, pencils, paperclips, envelopes, etc. Figure out what you and your family need and use and make sure your command center has an organizer for it.
3.Organize Your Space
Once you’ve determined the components of your family command center, it’s time to organize your space. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Start by creating designated areas for each component of your command center. For example, you might have a section for your calendar, a section for your to-do list, and a section for meal planning.
- Use labels to help keep everything organized. Label each section of your command center, as well as any containers or bins you use to store supplies.
- Keep your command center up to date. Be sure to update your calendar and to-do list regularly and clean out any old papers or notes as needed.
4.Maintenance and Upkeep
Maintaining your family command center is important to ensure that it continues to be a useful tool for your family. Here are a few tips for maintaining your command center:
- Set aside time each week to update your calendar and to-do list.
- Clean out your command center regularly to remove any outdated or unnecessary items.
- Make sure that everyone in the family knows how to use the command center and is comfortable accessing the information they need.
Family Command Center Starter Kit
When creating your command center, it’s good to start with the basics.
Here is a list of what you can include:
- Calendar (board, paper, magnetic, or acrylic).
- File/ Document holders (Hanging or wall-mount)
- Clock
- Meal Planning menu board
- Blank notepad (paper, magnetic or dry-erase)
- Pens, Markers holder (magnetic or wall-mount)
- Small shelves
- Clipboard
- Magnetic board with magnets
- Family photo
DIY & Pre-Made Family Command Center Ideas
Chalkboard-Style family command center
Wooden Rustic family command centers
Acrylic family command centers
Dry-Erase family command centers
Wire Grid Panel family command centers
Chore Charts for family command center
Cork Bulletin Board family command centers
Other supplies to complete your command center
Tips on how to make your Family Command Center work.
- Make it accessible.
- Label sections clearly.
- Mount your family command center properly and securely. Use proper mounting hooks, and/or screws. I love 3M Command hooks. No damage to your wall or surface if you decide to move your command center somewhere else in the home.
- Include ALL the important information that your family needs to know (schedule, events, etc.)
- Color code categories, activities, and/or family members to make it easier to follow.
- Include a meal planning section to make mealtime easier.
- Clean out your family command center regularly, at least once a month, or as needed.
- Encourage everyone in the family to use the command center by explaining its benefits and making it easy to access. Have a family meeting to introduce the command center and how it works.
- Celebrate family successes. Don’t forget to celebrate yourself and your family at the end of the week for the teamwork and effort to keep the home running smoothly.
A family command center can be a valuable tool for keeping your family organized and on track.
Creating your own command center can be fun. Be sure to include family members in this activity.
Your family command center doesn’t have to be fancy, it needs to be functional and efficient.
Create your family command center for an organized and stress-free home.
Do you struggle to keep a family command center organized? Let me know in the comments and we’ll find a solution!
Hi, I’m Melanie. I’m the woman behind Mommy Life Strategies. Here you will discover ways to manage your time more efficiently, how to create positive daily habits that stick, mindset exercises that energize, and health & wellness tips that work even for the busiest moms.