Let me tell you a tale of a girl who used to be organized, oh…. about four years ago. Since Clara came along, well, it has been a slippery slope. I’ve kept notes to myself in various notebooks, on my phone, on post its, and have scribbled in every square inch of my day planner. I’m almost never sure what I need to do next since there are so many active lists competing for my attention these days. So when John and I were asking ourselves what our home office needs to make it as functional as possible, it was about two seconds before I was pulling a Mary Katherine Gallagher and jumping around and throwing my arms in the air and shouting “command center!”
Yes, my friends, it was even more urgent to this nesting pregnant lady than painting those office walls. Although we realized as we were nailing into them to hang things that it’s sort of an accidentally genius move to hang art before painting because if you make a few bad nail holes you can just spackle them before you paint the whole room, so that’s a nice perk.
We thought this wall was perfect since it would be visible from within the office, but our scribbles would be out of sight from the foyer. And we both agreed that we needed a place to write things that had to be done across multiple categories like “projects”, “house maintenance”, “showhouse/book 2 stuff”, “future post ideas”, “website to-do”, etc. We just knew there had to be a better way than having different lists of each of those things floating around randomly (the website one just fell behind the couch, by the way).
Not only did I dream of having them all in one place in an easy to reference spot for both of us – most of all I dreamed of having a column for “top tasks” so we could lift tasks out of each of those other columns and place in there by order of priority. This will hopefully keep us from bouncing around randomly without really weighing what makes the most sense for us to tackle next.
While we were dreaming, we also wanted a place to work out our upcoming post schedule where we both could see it (so we can see which giveaways are lined up, what posts we’re planning to write up next, etc). We also wanted a smaller spot to jot down what we need to buy/get the next time we’re out (we’re always forgetting random things like new oil-rubbed bronze window locks for the freshly painted office windows).
John and I weighed a ton of options for meeting all of those needs, like: one big dry erase board, one big cork board, using dry erase paint right on the wall, going the chalkboard route, using magnetic paint to hold up small pieces of paper in a grid that we could move and shift, etc. In the end we settled on sort of a hybrid solution. We decided to make two big magnetic frames so we could use smaller dry erase magnets (which we could write on and shift around) to create a multi-column to-do list and a post-planning schedule. We even snuck a “To Buy/Get” list in there on a smaller frame while working in some sweet Clara art, a quote that makes us laugh from our last office, and a favorite family picture.
First we planned the arrangement with some old frames. We continued to shift things around a little after this photo was taken, but you get the idea:
Next we ordered some white dry erase magnets from this site. John found them and I was instantly on board because I love that they’re not small/swallowable magnets (which make my paranoid-mom-heart skip a beat) and also because we can write directly on them and move them around. So placing them in a “projects” column, then moving them to the “top task” column, and even popping them over to our post schedule board if they’re done/shot/written/ready to be scheduled would be nice and simple.
We also hit up Home Depot to see what they had in the “sheets of metal” category. There were some other sheet metal options on an end cap, but we bought a magnet with us just to be sure they were magnetic and they weren’t. Kinda threw us for a loop until we saw these panels hiding in a completely different aisle. And thankfully, these guys were magnetic.
We ended up getting two of them that were big enough to fill our frames (they came in a bunch of different sizes, and thankfully were pretty easy to cut at home with gloves and a metal snip). Here are my supplies all laid out:
First I removed the glass from the frame along with the backing and laid just the wood part of the frame over the sheet metal and used a red sharpie to trace the rectangle that I’d need to cut out.
Then I just slipped on my gloves and started cutting with the metal snip. It took a little while since it makes such small cuts, but it was pretty straightforward and I was left with two metal inserts for my frames in about fifteen minutes.
Here’s one slipped into the frame, with the backing holding it in place. It was pretty exciting to test drive a few of the dry erase magnets up there. #yolo
After I made sure both pieces of metal fit into the frames, John and I chatted about what colors we thought would be nice for the metal and the frames, and decided to draw inspiration from our new desk. And so the idea for a mixture of frames in a soft champagne color, a pearly metallic white, and a flat basic white was born. We had all of these guys in the garage already, so I was ready to rumble.
First I used clean metal primer on both of the sheets of metal we bought, just because I thought it would be a nice uniform look to spray those to match their frames. We figured with all those white magnets on them, things could get busy, so keeping the frames and backgrounds uniform might be a nice touch.
Next I sprayed the frames themselves. This is the pearl mist going on a few of the frames and one of the primed sheet metal pieces (you can see the champagne mist ones drying in the background). I left these outside to dry so long that a rogue leaf landed in the middle of that smaller frame (thankfully it was completely dry by then).
It took about four thin coats of spray paint to get things nice and even, but in the end it’s a really clean look to have the metal sheets and the frame the same color. I even used a little bit of washi tape on the end of the magnetic headers for each category to set them apart along the top of the board.
Oh office supplies, why are you so adorable?
To make our “To Buy/To Get” board, I used a smaller frame with some slightly metallic linen-like fabric slipped that into the frame behind the glass. A black dry erase marker makes it easy to write on the glass, and we just shoot a picture of the list whenever we’re running out for errands so I can remember everything instead of muttering “where’s that list?” followed by some endless purse-searching.
Here’s a closer shot of the post planning board, which got the pearl paint treatment, and some gold and yellow washi tape along those header and side labels. We don’t usually work very far out for posts (we share a lot of stuff within a week of doing it) but it’s already coming in handy for jotting down future ideas, giveaways that have been scheduled, etc.
So that’s how our little command center came to be. I’d really love to upgrade some of the frames eventually (the one with Clara’s painting in it needs a larger mat for example) but for now I’m feeling around 95% more organized. If only I could fit my massive belly behind the couch to retrieve that old website to-do list…
Might have to send Burger in for it. And by that I mean “somehow convince him the list is made of food so he cares enough to retrieve it.”
How do you guys stay organized? Do you have a big family calendar that hangs in your kitchen? We debated doing a calendar board as well, but like using my planner to write down meetings, appointments, parties, etc – so we thought keeping that in there but all the project/home maintenance/book/showhouse/post stuff on the wall would be a good combination. We’ll have to see how it goes…
Update: For anyone wondering what the octopus print says, where we got it, or where the file cabinet is from, that info is all on the first page of comments for ya.
NDgirl2101 says
I swear by the Arc notebooks from Staples to keep me organized. Not only can I move all the pages around to a different tab with ease, but I have the small one to throw in my purse for those impromptu things that come up. I also struggled to find a planner page that worked for me and my family. Finally I gave up looking out there and created my own. I have weekly pages for appointments and then daily pages for to-do lists. Also handy for meal planning and making sure I get my exercise and water in for the day. Once you have a template that works for you…just keep printing them over and over with a quick update to the dates.
Kelly says
The white board magnets for each item — that is just genius. Apps are great, but there is something really satisfying about having a list that is tangible and interactive. Your system appeals to me. I may need to copy it.
Ellen says
Do dry erase markers drive you crazy because of the smudging? I laminated an organized list for “what’s in the freezer,” then realized it was going to be a mess as I added and took things away, or just bumped it. Then I discovered WET erase markers. I recommend them!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Ellen! So far we have just been leaving enough space on the end of each one to pinch them and move them without smearing them, but we’ll have to check out wet erase markers too!
xo
s
Bethany says
I don’t think I understood why they were called DRY erase markers until right now. Never even thought about it. Mind blown.
Michaela says
I tried Evernote and did not live the formatting options on the phone. I do love Microsoft Onenote for note taking.
For workflow management (which us what this command center is doing) I live and love the Kanban methodology and do it at work using posti-its on a wall. Stays organized and pretty with consistent color post its and nice tape to make columns. Has columns for next week, this week, today and doing ( to help focus what I’m doing right now).
At home , wall space is nonexistent so we use an app called Trello to do the same workflow/ house project management.
julianna says
Totally unrelated to your office, but… I saw that Target has a $5 metal bucket with the same shades of green you used in the nursery. They’re in the Easter basket section, if you need any more storage in that room.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Julianna!
xo
s
Rachelle says
You need a Lilly Pulitzer agenda! They’re a little pricey but so pretty and they help keep me organized so well, you can even get them monogrammed! Also a dry erase three month calendar is super useful to plan out 3 months all at once, you can get them at Staples for cheap :)
http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/2014-Large-Agenda/6505.uts
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo
s
Julie says
I use the memo/notepad app that came on my phone (a Samsung Captivate) to write out stuff I don’t want to forget. I use it for my grocery list, a list of secret menu Starbucks drinks I want to try, website stuff I need to update, etc. Except that most of the time I forget to look at it when I need to remember what I had written down. haha Oops.
Ashley says
Trello is the exact online app of this. It’s what I use to keep everything work related organized — always open on my desktop and I have the app on my phone on the go.
Jo says
I’ve never understood the purpose of a shopping list that was attached to a wall. How do you remember what’s on it when you get to the store if you can’t take it with you?!
YoungHouseLove says
That info is hiding in the post for you, but I whip out my cell phone and snap a picture. Then I’m not rooting through my purse for a paper list and I have it right on my phone for reference.
xo
s
Susan says
Bathroom Mirror + Dry Erase Markers: Years ago, I started writing the ‘must happen but I’m likely to forget’ items on my my bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker. Easy clean-up was a plus. Recently was in my daughter’s apartment & laughed to see same system in place. When I commented, she said her boyfriend uses it too. Shared a laugh re: ALL our technology & still relying on mirrors & markers.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Natalie Stachon says
The command center is lookin’ good!! Thanks for introducing me to champagne spray paint and those cool dry erase magnets.
You’ve got me thinking about making a board like that for our kitchen so my husband (a chef) can keep track of his cooking, baking, experimenting, and meal planning.
Susan says
Book 2? Did I miss an announcement?! Always look forward to your next big thing! Buying some Target hooks for a foyer beadboard coat drop project and love the white knots/picture hangers. Will they also work as coat hooks? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Susan! Our original book agreement was a to write two books, so we’ve always had a second one in the hopper, which we’re sort of 10% into at this point. It’s fun to be back in the saddle again! As for the white knot picture hangers, I think they could work as coat hooks, you might just need longer screws/anchors to put them into the wall and make them even more stable if you want to hang a heavy purse/coat on them – but they could be just fine with the stuff they come with for average jackets and stuff.
xo
s
Mary F says
Love this idea! Just an FYI, if the metal sheets you bought are galvanized metal, the paint will likely peel off at some point. I bought a similar metal sheet at Lowe’s a few months ago to make a magnetic chalkboard for our drop zone. I primed & painted it 3x before I realized the problem & googled around for a solution. It was a pretty easy fix in that I just had to use a water-based primer (making all those spray primers–even the special metal ones– a no go, unfortunately…) & then just used the paint I wanted over that. Might not apply, but thought I’d throw it out there just in case. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Mary!
xo
s
Mary Way says
I love the idea of the command center, I’m trying to adapt it to my home. The one thing I don’t see is an area for all the sports fliers and events from school that my kids get now that I need to reference daily/weekly. Right now they are on a pin board that doesn’t look organized at all-I used to keep them in a filing cabinet but that didn’t work either. Any ideas of what to do with all those crazy papers that make me crazy?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, could you hang a few clipboards in a grid and clip them up? Or make a ribbon board and tuck them into the woven ribbon stripes to hold them up? Maybe adding some fun fabric to your pinboard (and hanging them in some sort of a grid) would make you like it more?
xo
s
Leah says
Have you used Trello.com before? This looks like Trello brought to life. It’s great for visualizing tasks, and has a mobile app. Love this tool. Love this idea too.
YoungHouseLove says
So many others have said awesome things about Trello! We’ll have to check it out!
xo
s
Kristin says
Someone mentioned Trello way up in the comments and I’d like to second it as an awesome digital to do organizer. You can share a board with multiple people and it has both a phone and web app. As for a shopping list, my husband and I keep a shared Google doc for that. That way we both have access to it at all times on our phone.
The way I use Trello is I have a whole bunch of lists, but at the very end are a few lists separated by category of what I’m currently working on and a list of things I’ve finished that week, which is where I move things as I’m done. I get a kick out of that last list because at the end of the week I can see all things I accomplished that week.
Trude says
Looks lovely! Can’t wait to see when the whole office comes together. I love the visual lists, I’m a big fan. :) For me, going between work and home, I have to give a shout out to my BFF TeuxDeux. It’s a website and app that’s a super simple to-do list, where you can schedule out items or just put them on today and if you don’t do them, they just roll over. And when you mark them complete, they stay on that day so you can look back to see when you did something. You can also create custom lists that are by category instead of by date. They switched to a paid service last year, and I gladly forked over the money because I use it ALL THE TIME. The website syncs with the app and makes it sooo easy when you’re on the go.
Meg says
A friend of mine just posted about finally adding a command center to her home too. I love a good command center. It’s one of the first things we added to the home we bought in 2012: http://18preston.blogspot.com/2012/05/command-center.html
And it’s still going strong! http://18preston.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-house-update-kitchen.html (and I got a better camera…)
I love the artwork and quote you included. I wish I had that, but we added some other art to the kitchen instead.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
Amanda says
I love this post for two reasons:
1. You just solved my meal-planning problem for me (I like this a whole lot better than little pieces of paper that I keep losing, and it’s easier to move around)
2. You just solved my magnet-board for the children problem for me (they have nowhere to play with their magnets right now!)
So thanks! :)
Chelsea says
This makes my heart skip a beat! Love love love the organization. Where is the honeycomb-looking vase/planter from?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s from West Elm (John surprised me with it about a year ago).
xo
s
Alison says
I would love to do the sheet metal thing for a different project in my house and was wondering if you remember in what aisle at Home Depot you found the magnetic ones? I was trying to really examine your photo to try to figure it out on my own, but I’m at a loss! I also am not fond of going to Home Depot by myself with 2 kiddos wandering around looking for things so I thought I’d ask you first in case you remember. Thanks in advance!
YoungHouseLove says
I think it’s near the hardware aisle? Hope that helps!
xo
s