Family Command Center – Home Organization System

While trying to organize stacks of mail, lists, recipes, and papers, I realized we needed a system to manage these items, and it needed to be functional and tidy.

Thus, to tame our family’s necessary papers, calendars (schedules), mail, menus, grocery lists, keys, and shopping bags, I designed a command center. It is part of our “new” laundry room update. You can see how we did the entire project HERE.

 

This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase from one of these links, I will make a small commission, but rest assured, you will not pay more for any products.

I searched on Pinterest boards for other family command center ideas to see what great pictures I could find for inspiration.

 

DIY Home Command Center

Before designing a custom command center for our mudroom/laundry room, I needed to list all items we needed to organize daily, weekly, and monthly.

I no longer need a place for school papers since my youngest child is a senior in college, but I did build a hall tree with cubbies and double coat hooks for organizing and storing backpacks, purses, coats, etc., on the opposite wall.

Command Center Must-Haves

• Mail Sorter
• Calendar
• Message center
• Keyholder
• Coat Rack 

**For your convenience, I have gathered all my organization must-haves HERE.

See the photo of the hall tree below. Learn how to make pillows like these with my DIY envelope pillow covers post.

 

Want to destress your life and home???
**Special Invitation to join the 30-Day Organization Challenge HERE**

After designing and installing my command center, we needed a handy place to store tote bags and grocery bags.

 

Building Coat Hooks

After looking for coat hooks in home improvement stores and online, I still could not find the right size and shape I wanted. Therefore I decided to make some industrial coat hooks for organizing our shopping bags and totes. The space I had for the hook rack for organizing was only 20″ vast.

Supplies and Tools

• Lathing lumber
• Cast Iron Hooks
• Nails 1/2 inches long
• Polycrylic
• Finishing paintbrush
• Gloves
• Sandpaper
• Tack cloth
• Measuring tape
• Drill
• Chopsaw
• Eye protection
• Wood pencil
• Level

After gathering my supplies, I will build industrial pipe coat hooks for my command center wall.

I selected lumber from my scrap wood pile since I only needed a 20″ finished length of cut lumber.

Since the lumber had some damage, I used the area that was in perfect condition; therefore, I paid nothing for the lumber.

After cutting my lathing, I sanded and cleaned it off with a tack cloth. I like using a water-based finish since it dries fast, and the cleanup is easy and fast. Next, I painted on the finish with long strokes following the grain in the wood. After 30 minutes, the finish was dry to the touch to attach the flanges and hooks.

First, the step was to measure the flange’s diameter to calculate the spacing between each one. Once I was satisfied with the flange placement, I marked the centers with a pencil. The screws included with the hooks were too long, so I had to use a 1/2″ screw instead. Note: You don’t need to drill pilot holes for this project.

Note: make sure the writing on the flanges is facing the same direction.

Installing Wall Mounted Hook

Using a level and measuring tape, I marked the wall with a very light pencil the hook board’s placement.

Using a drill, I installed a nail on either side of the hook board to attach to the wall.

I purchased this lovely market tote while on vacation in Seaside, Florida, but I found this similar one online.

 

The grocery list with the paper roll is my favorite find for the command center; moreover, I enjoy every inch of this room.

I did have a dry erase board before the makeover, and it was so difficult to clean, so I decided to try a DIY chalkboard this time.

The command center keeps the family organized. You can create a command center with items you already have and maybe a few other things to make it unique.

You might also enjoy these other DIY projects:

Gorgeous DIY Lanterns and Trellis

You might enjoy my daughter’s bedroom makeover.

Grab Your Ultimate Home Transformation Step by Step Guide HERE! And get started now.

Learn how to make a face mask with a free face mask pattern.

 

Thank you so much for your visit today. Please join my newsletter, so you don’t miss anything.

See you soon, 

Kippi