Customize Your Home Command Center
The right tools in the drop zone make it easier to keep track of busy lives. Here are 13 features to consider
Make organizing your family's schedule easier with a home command center in the middle of the action. This is not the home office — it's in an open part of the house where all essential functions of running a home happen: organizing mail, bills, keeping everyone up to date with calendars and schedules, messages, meal planning and other items and information your family shares. Take a look at common features of a command center and see how you can make it easy — even fun — to keep track of your family's busy schedule.
When designing your family command center:
Find the right spot. The best location for the command center is a high-traffic area where family members have access on a daily basis. A spot by the family's most popular entry door is perfect.
Determine what features you really need. Sometimes all you need is a computer if everyone in your home is comfortable with it.
Think of the look you want. Consider mixing storage designs, such as using open and closed shelving, working with the style of your existing cabinetry for a seamless look, or putting everything on the wall to save floorspace.
Read on for 13 helpful features to consider. Which ones are right for your household?
Browse photos of family drop zones
When designing your family command center:
Find the right spot. The best location for the command center is a high-traffic area where family members have access on a daily basis. A spot by the family's most popular entry door is perfect.
Determine what features you really need. Sometimes all you need is a computer if everyone in your home is comfortable with it.
Think of the look you want. Consider mixing storage designs, such as using open and closed shelving, working with the style of your existing cabinetry for a seamless look, or putting everything on the wall to save floorspace.
Read on for 13 helpful features to consider. Which ones are right for your household?
Browse photos of family drop zones
1. Calendar. In this case, the calendar is a chalkboard with space for notes to family members and magnetic letters for delegation of chores.
2. Computer. Go the high-tech route if there is space in your command center. And if the sight of a messy computer station bothers you, a hidden storage cabinet such as this will help.
3. Message board. Here, a chalkboard is in a high-traffic area of the home so family members can leave notes and keep everyone up to date.
4. Wall panels. Magnetic message boards, wire baskets and cups turn a wall into a command center.
Wall Mounted Magnetic Organizer in Espresso by Umbra®
6. Key holder. You'll need a place to stash the keys, whether it's a small dish on the counter or a dual-function unit like this.
7. Cubbies. This compact command center makes smart use of a small niche.
8. Clock. A timepiece is always a good thing to have in the kitchen for the morning rush and when cooking. Here, a vintage clock unit hangs in this farmhouse-style kitchen next to a compact command center.
10. Bulletin board. Here's another mudroom remodeling project that makes family organization a priority. This spot is perfectly situated for a quick check on important tasks before heading out the door.
11. Charging station. The key to the perfect charging station is easy access a place to hide clutter. A cabinet like this with open cubbies and drawers below is a great setup.
12. Display room. This spacious command center in the mudroom area is large enough to display family photos and a full bulletin board for posting letters, bills and notes.
13. Hooks. This spot has enough space for everything a family on the go needs, including hooks for jackets and bowls for the dog.
More: Corral Your Stuff in a Makeshift Mudroom
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More: Corral Your Stuff in a Makeshift Mudroom
Turn a Closet Into an Office