Creating a Family Command Center doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many fancy and pretty command center products that you can purchase from your local office supply store. However, a command center can easily be created for less than $20.
That is exactly what I did recently when I revamped our family command center. But before I show you how I did it, if you haven’t read my post, Key Elements of a Family Command Center, I encourage you to quick read that post first. This way you will have a better understanding of why a command center is important for organizing your family life.
Okay, now I will show you the steps I took to recreate our command center. Here is what our command center looked like before this transformation.
Pretty boring right? It was functional but not everything that we need to organize our day-to-day lives. It was in great need for a change. I finally got started on revamping it after my wife gave me the inspiration of using picture frames to create a marker board calendar.
Thanks to her I created the Printable Family Command Center Templates.
Step One – Family Command Center Supplies
- 2 – 5×7 Dollar Store Frames
- 2 – 11×14 or 8×10 Dollar Store Frames (Size depends on the template size you use)
- A Color Printer
- A Couple of Clothes Pins
- 2 IKEA BYGEL Containers
- 1 IKEA BYGEL Wall Rail
- IKEA BYGEL S Hooks
- 3M Velcro Hanging Strips
- IKEA FJALLA Magazine File
Good news all the IKEA items can be purchased online if you don’t live near one of their stores. However, I challenge you to see what you already have that can be used to create you family command center.
Step Two – Print Off Command Center Templates
With your home printer or at a copy/print center, print off the command center templates. Now you maybe asking, but I don’t have a command center template.
To make it super easy for you to design your command center, I am going to give to you for FREE my command center templates. All you have to do to instantly get access is fill in your information below and hit “Get Instant Access.”
These are the templates included in this Command Center Bundle
- Monthly Calendar Size 11x14
- Monthly Calendar Size 8x10
- Chore List Size (with our chores) 11x14
- Chore List Size (with our chores) 8x10
- Chore List Size (blank version) 11x14
- Chore List Size (blank version) 8x10
- Notes Template
- Weekly Menu Template
- Emergency Contact Template
These are all the templates you will need to create a command center.
Step Three – Frame the Templates
After downloading and printing the templates, you will need to put each template in a frame. The glass of the frame will act as the marker board surface. A customized marker board for the cost of Dollar Store frame. You can’t beat that!
Step Four – Assemble the Command Center Elements on a Wall
After finding a centralized location for your command center. Hang all the frames and other elements on the wall. The arrangement is up to you and will vary depending on your wall size and location.
I used the 3M Velcro hanging strips to hang the magazine holder (which we use to sort mail and coupons) and the clothes pins.
Other optional elements you can add to your command center are a clock, inspirational quotes, magnetic board, or anything else you need to organize your family life.
Here is the finished result of my family command center transformation.
Family Organization Rocks!
Being organized at home is important in reducing stress and creating a beautiful home. I hope this command center tutorial helps you and your family stay organized in the day-to-day activities of life.