14 Creative Command Center Ideas to Keep Your Family Organized

Keep clutter at bay with these clever organizing solutions.

The family command center serves many purposes. It can act as a dropzone near the door, a spot for sorting mail, a storage area for office supplies, or a message board for reminders. This catch-all space needs to handle the family calendar, paperwork, notes, and all kinds of odds and ends in an orderly, easy-to-access fashion. With so many jobs to accomplish, the command center can be a challenge to set up and keep organized. Whether you want to create a hardworking kitchen hub or a one-wall entryway solution, these clever ideas will help you design a functional space that works for your family.

Keep It Uncomplicated

Command centers shouldn't be overwhelming, and your design doesn't need to be over the top. You can easily create a simple yet effective hub in your home. Near the entryway, mount a matching set of wall organizers that blend in with your decor. A combination of chalkboards, baskets, and a few hooks is all you really need. Use the hooks for coats and bags, the baskets for incoming and outgoing mail, and the boards for memos. Write reminders for yourself or family members of upcoming events or jot down a list of what you need when you run to the store.

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Maximize Your Mudroom

A few wall storage solutions can easily turn your mudroom or entryway space into a hardworking family command center. Hang a large bulletin board on a wall near the door to store your calendar, artwork, and reminders in plain sight. Wall-mounted wire baskets with labels keep important papers at eye-level, while a clock helps family members stay on schedule.

Utilize Behind-the-Door Space

Every inch counts when you're setting up a command center in a small entryway. If you're short on wall space, incorporate a variety of storage solutions and utilize every inch, including the area behind a door. Hang a magnetic dry-erase board or chalkboard for posting reminders you need on your way out the door. To further maximize vertical space, combine a wall-mounted organizer with file boxes for storing paperwork out of sight, and mount large bulldog clips on the wall to keep other urgent papers in clear view.

Cooking Command Center

Take meal planning to the next level with this clever command center idea. Using the inside of a kitchen cabinet, create a mini hub for all things menu and meal prep. A narrow peel-and-stick dry-erase weekly calendar allows you to brainstorm meal ideas. A hanging notepad lets you make shopping lists for ingredients. Attach some basic guides for cooking, such as ingredient substitutions, meat temperature times, and measurement conversions, so you don’t have to look them up each time. This keeps your kitchen organized and easier to get dinner on the table in less time.

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Streamline Schedules in Style

A classic black-and-white command center above your desk keeps things neat and orderly and looks sleek. Use coordinating memo boards and calendars to organize everything from monthly schedules to the weekly menu. Include a small spot to jot down reminders. Hang clipboards for to-do and grocery shopping lists, as well as chore charts. Magazine holders below can corral mail, paperwork, and even books that need to be returned.

Make It Interactive

Get the whole family involved with scheduling with this command center idea. A larger-than-life dry-erase calendar on an empty wall will ensure no one forgets soccer practice or dance recitals. Include a cup with markers and have a quick gathering at the beginning of each month where everyone can add their events or reminders. Assign a different color per family member to stay even more organized. Magnetic clips allow you to hang invitations, photos, or notes for one another.

Chalkboard Command Center

A chalkboard spanning an entire wall takes the interactive approach to organizing to another level. Turn an empty wall into a giant blackboard using chalkboard paint. Draw outlines for calendars and leave inspirational notes or drawings for family members or even guests. Mount a floating shelf to act as a drop zone or as a space to get a little work done. Slide some comfy stools underneath the ledge for an easy workspace.

Look Ahead

Busy families require lots of organization and planning. A monthly dry-erase calendar is an easy way to keep on top of things, but it's easy for the next month's events to sneak up on you. If your kids are involved in many sports and school activities and you have schedules stretching into next season, consider incorporating two calendars into your command center—one for the current month and one for the month ahead. On the same wall, give each child their own hanging file pocket and make it magnetic to avoid losing smaller memos and mementos.

Conceal Command Center Clutter

A tall, shallow cabinet in the kitchen or laundry room makes an ideal place for the family headquarters. Transform this space into a camouflaged command center that can easily be hidden away. Install a small rack to hang keys and individual hooks for hats and totes. A high shelf can be home to emergency supplies such as flashlights or extra chargers. Add a slim memo board to the inside of the cabinet door and include an organizer to hold writing utensils and sticky notes.

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Think Outside the Entryway

Family command centers don't have to be located in a main hallway or next to the front door. Here, a small cabinet and floating shelves transform a corner of a dining room into a clever storage hub. A wire file sorter organizes paperwork and a charging station manages cords, but the countertops are otherwise clear to provide space to pay bills and sort mail. The cabinet stashes crafting and office supplies out of sight, and a magnetic dry-erase board above hosts reminders and family photos.

Make the Most of Tight Corners

Transform an unused corner into a space-savvy command center. This one-wall storage solution makes the most of the side of a built-in fridge. Custom wood folders form a vertical filing system to hold mail, catalogs, homework, and newspapers. Each section has a label and contains folders to help keep items sorted by purpose. A small corkboard provides space to post reminders.

Give the Pantry Another Purpose

The pantry is a space that most family members use daily. So why not give it the dual duty of storing your favorite snacks alongside your meal schedule? By the doorframe, suspend a couple of weekly calendars to plan out the menu. Include notes such as ingredients you'll need to defrost ahead of time or scheduling conflicts that might affect dinner time. Add a memo board to hang a grocery shopping list or the kid’s school lunch schedule. Mounted baskets can hold pens, scissors, and even a label maker to mark expiration dates on decanted pantry goods.

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Hide a Command Center in a Cabinet

For a more streamlined solution, create a hidden command center inside a cabinet or buffet. This helps save wall space and keeps unsightly papers from cluttering up your living space. Stack plastic bins or drawers inside the cabinet to store paperwork and school projects. Label each one with sticker letters to designate a spot for each family member. Attach magnetic strips to the inside of the door to hold memos and notes.

Put Small Walls to Work

Small walls that might otherwise serve a minimal purpose are ideal spots for creating a family command center. Choose a small section of wall in a central area of your home, such as the entryway or mudroom, and put it to good use with a few easy updates. Mount a set of wall hooks to make keys easy to grab on your way out the door. Then hang a magnetic or bulletin board to display photos, invitations, or mail. For even more functionality, apply dry-erase peel-and-stick wallpaper to the small wall to create a surface for writing notes and reminders.