5 Tips to Create an Organized Command Center

Our kitchen is a space that I have barely shown to y’all because ever since we moved in, it’s been a space that I’ve cringed at the sight of every time I walk into the room.

It’s a great kitchen, don’t get me wrong. I’m very thankful that it’s less of a fixer upper spot than other rooms in the house.

But there was this one “drop center” shelf on the wall that was nothing but a clutter catcher. It was a deceiving little thing, looking all innocent and making promises to us like, “I’ll keep all of your mail sorted and take care of your keys so you know exactly where to find them and we’ll be best friends forever and ever and live happily ever after.”

Oh, but that shelf lied. Lied! Shelves like that are my nemesis because they hardly ever deliver real organization.

Last weekend, Robert and I finally ripped it down and bid farewell to those super snazzy shamrock cut-outs, and we discovered a quirky surprise behind it. Well, hello there fruity wallpaper. (Truth be told, I love finding stuff like this. It makes me wonder so much about this house and the families who lived here before us. If only wallpaper could talk.)

So I ripped and patched and painted my heart out (asked the wallpaper if it had any great stories to tell from years past, but no luck), and we hung up its replacements that I’m confident will be less of a clutter catcher.

No shelf = no place to stash random junk

I found this gold framed dry erase board last month in HomeGoods, and it was really what spurred on this whole kitchen command center idea.

This mail sorter was perched right beside it on the same shelf, and I decided it was fate. A little polished, a little rough wood, and a whole lot of organize-y happiness.

And then this clock was just begging me to take it home in the check-out line. (Side note: I totally believe it’s a conspiracy that HomeGoods always has a line at the register because they know you’ll find at least one thing you can’t live without that they so conveniently display while you’re standing there waiting. Sneaky sneaky.)

All we needed after that was a memo board that I picked up at Target and a key rack that I made using some Hobby Lobby supplies, and we were in business.

Here are 5 tips to create a super organized command center, if you need some ideas:

• Opt for a dry-erase calendar-  They’re so much more flexible to use than a paper calendar (if you’re like me and have to scratch out and rewrite reminders/events all the time). They are much less messy and easier on dust allergies than chalkboards too.
• Use a memo board for important papers-  Keep push pins handy for any important documents, lists, bills, or whatever that need to remain front and center.
• Have a space for messages-  Our board came with a “notes” section, which I love. It’s great for highlighting important reminders to family.
• Use hooks for keys- This one’s probably like, “duh”. But hooks, especially ones with labels so you have “a parking spot”, help so much when you’re in a rush to get out of the door.
• Incorporate a labeled mail sorter- Have a slot for “in” mail and a slot for “file”. If you’re a budget shopping lover, having a slot for “coupons” helps too.

Robert and I immediately breathed a sigh of relief in unison when this was all finished. Adulting just got WAY easier. Well, okay a little easier. Adulting is just hard, ya know?

Now that the linen closet is organized, the pantry cabinet is orderly, the playroom has a sorting system, and this wall is improved, I am one happyyyyyy mama!

If you are in desperate need of a command center too, you can find some similar sources to the ones we used here: (Some affiliate links are provided.)

• Dry erase calendar board (Mine was $30 at HomeGoods, but I couldn’t find one exactly like it or as large online, unfortunately.)
• Cork memo board
• Key rack hooks
• Key rack wood
• Key rack stain
• Mail sorter
• Clock

Do you have any organization tricks you use to make adulting easier? Or ways to keep the mail manageable? One of these days, maybe we can even get our acts together enough to go paperless. If you have any tips for that, I’m ALL ears.

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