Entryway Family Command Center
Keeping your family organized is so much easier with an Entryway Family Command Center. If your mornings feel stressful and chaotic, it might be time to create a system that works for everyone.
By setting a command center up, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being prepared. Fewer rushed mornings, more calm starts—it’s a small change that can make a big difference.
When our kids were little, our mornings could have been straight out of a sitcom. There was yelling, kids rushing out the door, rushing back in, more yelling, and about a hundred “MOM!”s thrown into the chaos. It was our daily routine—messy and overwhelming.
I tried to keep up with all the questions, but getting the right answer to the right kid at the right time? That was nearly impossible. More often than not, someone would leave without their cleats or a permission slip.
Finally, I decided enough was enough and created a simple system—a dedicated spot in our home where the kids could check their schedules and grab what they needed for the day. Honestly, it changed everything. That little solution brought order to our mornings, and it’s one we’ve stuck with all these years, even now that our kids are grown and out of the house.
What is a Family Command Center?
A Family Command Center is a centralized space in your home designed to keep your family organized and on track. Think of it as the hub where everyone can stay informed about schedules, tasks, and important items.
Its purpose is to minimize chaos and make daily routines run more smoothly.
It can be as simple as a few hooks for book bags with basket for papers to a full wall setup with an area for everything your family needs.
What is in a Family Command Center?
Typically, a Family Command Center includes key components like a calendar for events and activities, a to-do list, or chore chart, a bulletin board for reminders and notes, and a spot to keep essential items like keys, backpacks, or papers that need attention. Some even include slots for mail, a meal plan, or a whiteboard for quick messages.
By having a clear, dedicated space for everything, a Family Command Center helps eliminate confusion about “who needs to be where” and “what needs to be done.” It’s a life-saver for busy households, offering peace of mind and ensuring fewer rushed mornings or last-minute scrambles.
Whether you have young kids, teenagers, or even just a busy schedule to manage, this simple system can make a world of difference.
How to Set Up an Entryway Family Command Center
Your entryway or mudroom is the perfect spot for your setup because it’s a high-traffic area that everyone passes through daily.
1. Pick the Right Location
Look for an area near to the door that is open giving you enough space to set up all the components you want to include.
- An open wall
- An area over a table
- A corner
- The front of a closet door
Tip: Look for a spot with good lighting or add a small lamp to ensure it’s well-lit.
2. Plan What You Need
Think about the challenges your family faces daily. Are you constantly reminding kids of schedules? do they forget things for school or after school activities? Are keys, permission slips, or lunches always missing?
Use these pain points to guide your setup.
- A calendar for tracking events and activities
- A space for storing keys, sport bags, or shoes
- Clipboards to hold schedules, permission slips, or chore charts
- Mail and paperwork organizers
- A cork board or whiteboard for quick notes or reminders
- Hooks for coats and backpacks
Tip: Use colors to help younger kids know what area is for them. This is helpful not only for younger kids but older kids as well.
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3. Gather Supplies
Once you know what you need, gather your materials. Look around your home before heading out the the store.
- Wall-mounted calendars: Monthly planners to track appointments and activities. Be sure your calendar is large enough to include all the events you routinely have.
- Baskets or bins: Use these for mail, outgoing items, or smaller odds and ends.
- Hooks: For backpacks, jackets, reusable grocery bags, or even sports gear. Use Command hooks for lighter items and wall mounted hooks for heavy things like book bags.
- Bulletin boards or whiteboards: For reminders, shopping lists, or appointment cards.
- Clipboards: Great for work or sport schedules, meal plants, take out menus, or shopping lists.
- Labels: Use labels especially when starting out so everyone knows where to find things quickly.
- Command hooks: Perfect for hanging items without damage to your walls as you test out different layouts.
Tip: Less is more when starting out so you are not overwhelming people with too much information. Begin with a calendar and move on from there as your family adjusts.
4. Organize the Layout
Start with the calendar since it is the main area. Hang it at a height that is accessible to everyone who will be using it. Next, bring in any larger pieces, like a cork board or all-in-one setup.
Once in place, you can bring in other organizers playing around with the layout before attaching anything permanently. Group similar items together, such as hooks for bags and jackets, or baskets for mail and papers.
Tip: Hang items at a height your kids and use colors to help them quickly find their activities on the calendar.
5. Personalize It
Make the space inviting and functional. Add a splash of color with a cute bulletin board or patterned bins. Use custom labels for family names, chore charts, or clipboards. If you have little ones, include a spot for their artwork and any awards.
Tip: For younger kids use photos to help them find things until they are able to read.
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6. Declutter Regularly
Your command center will only work if it stays organized. Take a few minutes each week to clear out old papers, update the calendar, and reset the space. A clean, organized system will help ensure it stays useful keeping your mornings stress-free.
Tip: Set up a day each week to reset your command area. This is also a good time to go over family schedules reminding everyone where they need to be for the week ahead.
7. Test and Adjust
Keep things as is for a week or two and see how it works. Pay attention to what’s helpful and what’s not, and move things around as needed.
You might find you need a clipboard just for take out menus, an area for your pet, or even a larger calendar for a busy schedule.
This is your system—set things up so it works for everyone.
8. Add in Extras
If you have extra space, there are more areas you may want to include.
- A charging station for phones and tablets for last minute charges before heading out the door.
- A meal planning board for weekly menus.
- A “drop zone” for library books or items that need to be returned.
- A small bench for putting on shoes.
- A spot to hold keys, sunglasses, and outgoing mail.
These extras take your command center from basic to a customized space that fits your family to a T.
Setting up an Entryway Family Command Center is a great way to calm the mess giving you a smoother less stressful morning.
Say goodbye to last minute out the door chaos and hello to calmer more relaxed mornings and maybe a few less “MOM!”s along the way!
