How to Create a Family Command Center for Ultimate Organization: The Ultimate Mum Hack

Let’s face it, mums – we are the glue that holds everything together in the family. We juggle work, school runs, activities, appointments, grocery shopping, and let’s not even get started on keeping track of everyone’s social calendar. 😅 It’s a lot to manage, and sometimes it feels like we need an entire army just to keep everything organized.

But here’s the thing – you don’t need to add everything to your family command center all at once. Nope! You don’t have to follow this list to the letter. The beauty of a Family Command Center is that it’s completely customizable to your family’s needs. Pick the elements that are going to make your life easier.

Whether that’s a family calendar, meal planner, or just a spot for keys, this command center should be a tool to simplify your life, not add more to your plate.

Ready to take control and get your home running like a well-oiled machine? Keep reading to learn how to create your own Family Command Center, step by step.

Why You Need a Family Command Center (And How It Can Change Your Life)

Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why you need a Family Command Center. Trust me, once you set it up, it will feel like you’ve unlocked a superpower. 💪

1. Eliminate Chaos

The Family Command Center is your one-stop shop for all things family-related. Instead of searching through emails, texts, or post-it notes for appointments, birthdays, and events, everything is in one place. This eliminates the mental clutter and chaos that often leaves us feeling overwhelmed.

2. Stay on Top of Important Dates

Forget double-booking doctor’s appointments or missing a parent-teacher meeting. With a Family Command Center, you’ll always know where to find upcoming events and appointments.

3. Encourage Family Involvement

When you involve your kids in the process, the command center becomes a space for everyone to contribute. Whether it’s putting up a family calendar or helping plan meals, this organizational hub brings everyone together.

4. Reduce Stress

When everything has a designated spot, your home runs more smoothly. The more organized your space, the less likely you’ll feel like you’re drowning in tasks and responsibilities.

Essential Items for Your Family Command Center

Now that you’re convinced, let’s get into the details. Creating a Family Command Center is easier than you think, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to get started. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A Central Location

The first step is to choose a location in your home that makes sense for the whole family. Ideally, this should be a central area that everyone passes by – think kitchen, hallway, or even the entryway. The idea is that it should be highly visible and easy to access.

2. Family Calendar

Next, you need a family calendar that can be easily updated and referenced. A large, magnetic calendar that sticks to the wall is perfect for this. You can colour-code each family member’s events so that everyone knows what’s coming up.

We’re totally obsessed with the digital Skylight Calendar – it’s like having your own personal assistant for family scheduling! Plus, it links to your phone, so you’ll never miss an appointment again. But honestly, any dry-erase calendar mounted on the wall in your command center will do the trick just as well. It’s all about making your life easier and adding a little bit of fun to your organizational game!

3. In/Out Tray for Paperwork

Every family has paperwork to keep track of – from school permission slips to bills that need paying. To avoid clutter, have an In/Out tray in your command center. This is where you can store documents that need action, like permission slips, medical records, or even coupons.

Invest in a desk organizer with multiple trays to help you stay on top of paperwork. It will help separate urgent items from non-urgent ones, and it’s an easy way to keep everything in one place.

4. Meal Planning Area

A meal planning station is another key element of your Family Command Center. Set aside a section to plan your meals for the week. You can use a dry-erase board or a printed meal planner to write down breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day.

A magnetic meal planner is a simple yet effective solution. You can easily plan out your meals for the week, and it attaches right to your fridge – no more forgetting what’s for dinner!

Feeling lost in the dinner-time chaos? 😅 Use our FREE Meal Planner + Grocery List! It’s a simple, no-fuss list to help you plan your meals and shop like a pro. No more wandering the aisles hoping for inspiration – we’ve got you covered!

5. Chore Chart

A chore chart helps keep the whole family involved in household responsibilities. Not only does it provide a visual way to assign chores, but it also teaches kids accountability and responsibility.

A fun kids chore chart with magnets is a great way to get the little ones excited about helping out around the house. Plus, it’s a rewarding experience when they get to add a sticker every time they finish a task!

Amazon Link: Magnetic Chore Chart for Kids with 72 Routine Magnets & Star Rewards

6. Family Bulletin Board

A bulletin board is a great spot to pin important notices, reminders, and family photos. This can include everything from invitations to school events, to your kid’s latest art projects.

A cork bulletin board with frames is perfect for pinning up essential documents or photos. It’s functional and can also serve as a cute decor piece for the command center.

7. Key and Mail Holder

A key and mail holder is a small yet incredibly useful addition to your command center. It ensures everyone has a designated spot for keys, outgoing mail, and important documents that need to be signed or mailed.

A key and mail organizer with compartments for both mail and keys will help keep your entryway clear of clutter.

Amazon Link: Key and Mail Organizer

8. Sticky Notes and Stationery

To stay organized, having a variety of sticky notes and stationery is key. This allows you to jot down quick reminders and leave messages for the family.

An assorted sticky note pack will help you stay on top of your reminders, to-do lists, and quick notes.

9. Command Center Organization Bins

Small organizing bins help keep your command center looking tidy. Use them for storing pens, markers, paper clips, or any other small items that could clutter up your space.

10. Family Planner Binder

Looking to keep your family life in check? A Family Planner Binder is your new best friend! It’s perfect for organizing everything from schedules and meal plans to to-do lists and family budgets – all in one handy spot. 🗂️✨

And guess what? You don’t need to splurge on expensive organizers – you can make your own with some basic supplies from places like Kmart or your local stationery store. All you need is a binder, some dividers, and a few printables (you can find tons online for free!). It’s super customizable, easy to put together, and will help keep your day-to-day running smoothly without breaking the bank.

Now you can finally stop scrambling for that important paper or calendar – everything will be right where you need it! 🙌

Final Thoughts: Ready to Get Organized?

Creating a Family Command Center is not only a life-changing organizational hack, but it can also bring the family together and make your home run more smoothly. By setting up a centralized space where everyone’s important information is easy to find, you’ll reduce stress, eliminate confusion, and gain a sense of control over your busy life.

Remember, these small changes can have a big impact on how you manage your day-to-day. With the right tools and a little planning, your family command center can transform your chaotic home into a well-oiled machine.

Ready to get started? Grab the products that suit your family’s needs and watch your home go from cluttered to organized in no time! 💖