Looking to get a little more organized at home? A family command center can make a big difference. A small, well-designed space for calendars, schedules and important papers helps everyone know what’s coming up and where things belong.
There are countless ways to design a command center—some are decorative, others strictly functional, some elaborate and others very simple. The key is creating a setup that fits your family’s needs and routines. The most successful systems are the ones everyone uses.
Our Family Command Center
We’ve kept a system in place since our oldest started school. Time flies—he’s now a college junior—so having a reliable way to manage school papers and schedules became essential early on. Over the years our command center has evolved. After moving into our current house we invested in a Pottery Barn Daily System and it has proven useful and durable.
Our command center sits on a short hallway wall between the garage and kitchen. It began with a whiteboard calendar, a linen pinboard and two letter bins from the set. Those letter bins were perfect when the kids were in elementary school for corralling homework, reading logs and spelling lists. As the children grew, the bins became less necessary and more clutter. I’m not a fan of clutter, so I removed and sold them. The space is simpler and more functional now.
Our Small Hallway
Today our command center consists of just two main pieces: a whiteboard calendar and a linen pinboard. Each month I update the calendar with everyone’s activities and appointments. We use a color-coding system—our daughter in red, our middle son in green, our oldest in blue, and family or parents in black—so anyone can quickly scan the schedule and see what’s happening that day, week or month. If I had more wall space, I’d add another calendar; they’re a simple and effective way to keep track of commitments.
Whiteboard Calendar
The linen pinboard stores invitations, thank-you notes, event tickets and printed schedules. When we need an important item—a registration card, an invitation or a parking pass—we usually find it pinned to the board. Beyond practicality, it’s also a pleasant place to display special mementos and reminders.
Linen Pinboard
These two simple components keep our family organized every day. A command center doesn’t need to be elaborate—when it’s tailored to your family’s needs, even a compact setup is highly effective.
If you want more ideas and inspiration, browse organization boards on Pinterest or collect examples that match your lifestyle and space. A few thoughtful pieces tailored to your routine will go a long way toward simplifying daily life.
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