It is no secret that being organized save your family time and money. Of course, that’s easier said than done. How many times have your kids lost field trip forms? Is your husband constantly asking where his keys are? The worst is when you forget to pay a bill because it got buried in piles of mail. A DIY family command center helps with all of those problems and more!
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The larger (and older) our family gets the more difficult it is to keep track of all of our stuff. I needed to figure out a way organize the whole family in one place because I was tired of homework, coupons, and invitations getting lost. That was exactly what we needed to get our family organized. I didn’t want to spend a ton of money on it but still wanted something both pretty and functional. Turns out you can DIY a family command center easily using items you already have.
Note: We have updated our system. Find the new one here!
Determine Your Family’s Needs
The components of your command center will vary based on your family’s needs and lifestyle. Take a minute before getting started to brainstorm ideas for what you need your DIY family command center to do. Then determine the items that will help you accomplish that. Here are some examples:
- Cork Board for notes, invitations, and more.
- Central Calendar to keep everyone on the same page.
- Homework Folder for each kid.
- Individual Kid’s Boards with chores, storage, and more.
- Mail Organizer to keep you from ever missing another bill.
- Office Supplies Holder
Find the Items Needed
Cork Board
- I had a perfectly good cork board already. However, it was plain and kind of ugly so I covered it with fabric to brighten it up. Simply hot glue the fabric edges to the back of your board and voila!
Calendar
- Don’t think this has to be anything expensive or fancy. An upcycled thrift store frame with a grid inside works perfectly.
Homework Folder
- We didn’t really have anything I liked for this, so I made my own using cardboard, fabric, and a glue gun. You could also do this with file folders and binder clips.
Individual Kid’s Boards
- We had picked up some of those metal, wire squares that you put together to make a cube organizer (at Goodwill for $1.50 I might add). The way that I put them together to organize kids’ craft supplies left me with extra squares. I decided I could use these to make my kid’s boards. The rest was made with just craft paper, cork, and zip ties.
Mail Organizer
- This was also made out of cardboard. It is covered it with craft paper to decorate it. If you already have a mail organizer that works for you but maybe isn’t quite your style, give it a quick makeover with Mod Podge or spray paint.
Office Supplies Holder
- Ours is made out of the bottom of an already decorative greeting card box. All I did was punch 2 holes in it and added some zip ties to hang it from. Super easy.
Getting Your Family On Board
This is arguably the most difficult part of any system you put into place. Your family needs to use the command center to make it effective. While I can’t promise that it will happen overnight, I do have some tips to make it easier:
- First of all, make it convenient. Put your DIY family command center in a location that is convenient when walking in your home. This will increase the incentive to use it.
- Secondly, be excited. Young kids will mimic your enthusiasm and your husband will love how excited you are. Talk about an easy way to make you happier.
- Lastly, remember to be consistent. Kids especially will need reminding about the new system. Stick with it and it will eventually become second-nature.
This DIY family command center doesn’t cost a dime to make when you use items you already own in creative ways. You will always know where bills are located and if there are permission slips that need signed. Your husband will always locate his keys and wallet easily. No more late fees while you are paying off debt and no excuses for someone “not knowing” you had plans. This will free up your time an energy to do things you actually want to do.
See where I’m linking up!
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