The Best Family Command Centers for Staying Organized
A well thought-out command center can help manage the chaos of a bustling household and make your family's daily routines, like sorting the mail, so much easier. I really don't know how we would function without ours. In this post, I'm sharing the details on the system that we use in our own home (spoiler alert–we've had the same one for over 15 years and still love it). And I'm sharing the best wall-mounted command center options out there. All you have to do is pick the one that suits your family's needs!
As a busy business owner, wife and mom of two busy daughters, I know how hard it can be to manage all the things. Things can get very chaotic when your family members are always on the go. Appointments, schedules, meetings, and to-do lists can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to keep track of it all without any sort of system.
I frequently get asked about how we keep our busy family organized. And I promise you, there's nothing magic about what we do! It really is about developing systems that work for our family (we use Alexa hacks like our lives depend on it and follow these tips and routines for how to organize your life with work and kids.
And the number one thing I recommend to everyone is setting up a family command center. We've been using one for over 16 years now (yes, we had one even before we had kids)!
What is a Family Command Center?
A command center, a/k/a a home command center, is a designated space in your home where you can keep things like a family calendar, mail, incoming paperwork (permission slips, report cards, etc.), to-do lists, keys and more. Another way to think of it is an area to “drop” all the random things that may otherwise clutter your kitchen countertop.
What Should Be Included in a Command Center?
What you include in your command center really depends on your family's own needs, but they frequently include things like a family calendar, a place for papers and/or mail, a place for notes/messages, your menu, hooks for keys, etc. And these days a charging station is becoming more and more popular since most families have multiple electronic devices.
Some families even like to include an entire calendar wall for easy visual planning (this monthly wall calendar that you see below is perfect for that). You can find more family calendar ideas here.
Since everyone's needs are different, I've rounded up the command center ideas out there. I was pretty picky as I searched–I've only included those that are super functional AND pretty.
Click on any of the links or photos below each photo for more details about each family command center or wall organization piece that you see.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
The BEST Family Command Center Options
Modular Daily System
Pottery Barn's Daily System is the family command center that we have used for 15+ years and I absolutely LOVE it. It still looks brand new. And I love that it is modular and totally customizable which makes it easy to tweak as your needs change. Our command center hangs in what I think of as our “drop zone” between the mudroom and kitchen.
Classic Command Center + Charging Station
This classically beautiful and simple command center has a hidden secret… There is a built-in charging station in one of the modular components, but it's so pretty you'd never guess it.. So if your family needs a place to charge devices, this is a great option.
MC Squares Reusable White Boards
These reusable whiteboards are THE BEST. They stick to any shiny surface (cabinets, mirrors, refrigerators, etc) and there are so many options so you can choose exactly what YOUR family needs most. I love these for to-do lists, shopping lists, meal planning, and chore charts. They use wet or dry-erase markers and are easy to clean. You can see them hanging on our fridge in this photo :)
3-Piece Command Center
This 3-piece command center that hangs on any wall is classically beautiful and super functional. You can hang them side-by-side or stack them vertically, depending on how much wall space you have and your preferences. Would you believe it's from Wal-Mart?! It looks just as good as some of the more expensive options on this list.
Gold Wire Wall Organizer
The storage wire baskets on this chic gold wall organizer are sized perfectly for files, mail, school papers, pens and more. The best part is that they are adjustable, so you can reposition them in the best way to suit your family's needs.
Modern and Simple Command Center
I love everything about this hand-made simple and modern organization. It's practical and streamlined, but the sweet bud vase on it makes it extra special and makes it feel like decor!
Custom Chalkboard Calendar
For families who have a lot of schedules to juggle, this custom chalk calendar could be a game-changer and the central part of an EPIC command center. It is not an actual chalkboard but is made to look like one. The surface is an easy-to-erase acrylic material. I love that it makes it easy to see so much information at just a glance.
Custom Magnetic Family Command Center
These custom-made magnetic command centers are practical and pretty. You can choose from a few different colors and accessory packages so you can set it up in a way that will work best for your family!
Magnetic Wall Organizers
This system is truly ingenious. You mount magnetic plates to your wall and attach the containers of your choice. So easy and customizable! Make a small family command center or a huge one with endless options.
Acrylic Family Wall Calendar
This gorgeous and modern Pinterest-worthy acrylic family calendar is as functional as it is pretty. This calendar has it ALL: monthly calendar, weekly calendar, chore list, to-do list, and reminders. Best of all, this calendar will be personalized just for your family’s unique needs! Customize the calendar for free with any titles you’d like.
Simple Black Wire Organizers
Pocket organizers are perfect for small spaces where you don't have much wall space. You can use the pockets to store bills, notes, invitations, and other essentials. Keep things simple and super affordable with these black wire wall organizers. Add a wall calendar and some hooks for your keys and you have a super functional family command center!
Modern Calendar and Sorting Station
I love the streamlined and clean look of this modular command center. And you could create absolutely anything you want on the whiteboard and calendar–totally customizable to your needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
One of the most crucial systems we set up years and years ago is our “family command center.” Setting up a family command center is easy!
Our family command center is in our kitchen and is where we “check-in” and “check out” every time we leave the house. If paperwork comes into the house, it gets sorted at our command center–we have a designated spot for items to shred, bills to pay, records to file and receipts to scan. It's also where we hang our car keys so we always know where they are. And I do mean ALWAYS.
We recently created a “secondary” family command center that includes a calendar and this DIY family charging station. A dedicated charging station has been a huge game-changer for us. We no longer have devices and cords strewn all over horizontal surfaces like our kitchen countertops and desk.
The key to using a family command center is to commit to using it every single day, so it should be located somewhere very visible! Preferably, it should be near or even part of your “drop zone.” You know, the area in your home where you drop keys, mail, bags, etc. after walking in. That way instead of dropping all of those things on a horizontal surface where they will messily pile up, you can immediately sort them and keep things tidy by placing them in your command center!
Our family command center has been in or near our kitchen in every single home we have owned. I think the kitchen makes a lot of sense for most families, but mudrooms for busy families and entryways can be great choices as well! You can see a photo of it below.
The purpose is to help keep what you need for life to run smoothly in one, central place. When your keys, schedule, bills, etc. are somewhere prominent and are placed/sorted every single day, it's much, much easier to stay on top of everything even when your days are chaotic. Having a command center will help you keep your kitchen countertops clear, stay on top of filing/shredding and more.
When you make using your command center a habit, it takes no time at all to stay on top of the bills, receipts and all the other paper that comes into your house. There is often at least one family member who struggles, but if you make it as user-friendly as possible and encourage consistency, it will eventually become a habit for everyone!
I hope these family command center ideas have you feeling inspired to get your own setup organized once and for all. Remember, it's important to choose a command center that suits your lifestyle and needs. So, make sure to customize it to what YOUR FAMILY needs. I promise you, a good command center will have a positive impact on you every single day!
More ORGANIZING IDEAS
Wondering how I approach transforming rooms and spaces in our home? Check out Designer in a Binder®.
And if you want exclusive content and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, be sure to subscribe before you head out!
Do you mind relinking or noting where the second command center is from? The mid century modern. The link takes me to the PB one below. Thank you!
Hi Sarah! Oh no. That was one from West Elm, but it looks like it’s no longer available. I have updated the post now–thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Fantastic article! As a professional organizer, I can’t stress enough the value of a well-set-up command center in a busy household. I’ve implemented similar setups for my clients, and the transformation in their daily routines is remarkable. The idea of a magnetic wall organizer is particularly intriguing for its flexibility and ease of customization. You did a great job in highlighting practical and stylish options!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my command center choices!