Recently, one of our clients asked us to design a “family command center” to help manage their fast-paced world. They were a family of four (with one more on the way) plus two lively dogs. 

They needed a multi-functional space that included a place to keep track of appointments, a homework station, a light work space for mom, a charging station, storage, and a place to organize and pay bills.

The family happened to be doing a kitchen remodel, providing a great opportunity to add a family command center and customize it to fit their needs. Take a look at the design concept we created to see how we addressed their needs (and stay tuned for a before and after when the project is complete!).

 

 

Thinking of your own family command station? Here are some things to consider:

Who is going to use the space?

Having a command center can help calm any chaotic world, whether it’s just you and the cat, or a rambunctious multi-generational family, but the ages and needs of the family should inform the design of your station. In this case this space was to be used by a wide range of ages, so we said “no” to a cork-board with thumbtacks (little ones and thumbtacks do not mix!) and opted for a small off-the-shelf message board so they could tuck in important papers and reminders. Keep calendars and mail bins at eye level for adults and chore lists at a lower level for children to access.

Where to put the family station

The kitchen is the natural hub of most homes, so it’s often a perfect place for a command center, but it could also be in a hallway, family room, entry or mudroom. A successful location is a centralized space that you can access daily but that won’t create a bottleneck (or visual clutter) in a space where you need flow and calm. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even if you’re not about to embark on a remodel, carving out a designated space can have big rewards with little investment. Consider purchasing a piece of furniture or, if you are short on space, consider the end panel of a fridge, back of a pantry door or the inside of a cabinet.  Just like creating a gallery wall, it is smart to tape off or cut out replicas of your pieces to perfect your layout before you start drilling holes (check out this how-to here).

 

How will you use the space? 

As you think about the placement of the family command center and decide what components it must include (message board, magnet board, file bins, hooks for keys, charging outlets, etc) consider how you will use the space. Write down all *your* family’s specific needs and create a list of the tools and resources you need in this space. If your family is always looking for the tape and scissors, make sure you build a spot into the family station for a tape-and-scissors supply. There are some great customizable systems out there, but the system is only as good as how well it meets *your* needs. Pottery Barn has some of my favorite modular systems:  

 

I love the dramatic scale of this Oversized Chalkboard Calendar – turning a practical system into a work of art!

 

 

Aesthetics of your family station

With every design you want to think about about functionality *and* beauty. Family stations are often out in the open and a bit chaotic once filled with notes and permission slips so, as much as possible, you want to make it something you enjoy looking at! In the case of our clients, they wanted their family command center to be friendly, inviting and have lots of hidden storage as well as some display. To make this space feel special we used wallpaper along the back wall, and we chose a wood countertop to add warmth (this is also a more comfortable surface to work on than the quartz we plan to use for the other counter surfaces in this kitchen). You can mix in artwork, add colorful bins, add your family name or some beautiful hooks.  Have fun with it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be honest about your personal habits

Seeing a Pinterest-perfect family command center might make you want to run out and recreate this for your own home BUT you have to be honest about your habits and consider the habits of anyone else using the space. Some great questions to ask yourself are:

• Does it need to be seen to be used? (some folks can manage a  hidden system, and for others it’s “out of sight, out of mind”)

• Will a horizontal work space just become a dumping ground and drive you batty?

• Will the tools and systems actually be used the way that they are intended?

• Will having a visible wall system stress you out, or does it need to be hidden?

Build new family habits 

Once you have your beautiful new family station, have patience. As with every new system it might take a little while to get in the habit of using it. Plan for a quarterly cleanup to clear out old menus and permission slips, and restock any supplies that have run low. Like a lovely garden, every family station needs a bit of regular weeding to help it look its best!

May your home always be happy, organized, and calm!