By Anne Reagan
Budget Decorating Expert
Getting organized for the new school year? Tired of random piles of
paperwork (important), bills (really important) and keys (really, really
important!) spilling over your countertops? What you need is to create a family command center.
A good command center is the main drop zone in the home for mail,
paperwork, school work, keys, and other every-day items. Some people add
cell phone charging areas and cubbies for backpacks, shoes and other
gear. No matter how much space you have (or don't have) you can add
organization to your home. Here are some low-cost, budget friendly ways
to reign in the chaos!
Clipboards
Often
associated with coaches and task masters, the humble clipboard is
inexpensive and highly functional. Go for the standard issue brown
clipboard with a heavy-duty clip to hold multiple documents. A clipboard
is handy for displaying paperwork, invitations, or even mail. Purchase
them in various sizes or keep them all the same size for consistency.
You can customize your clipboard by covering it
with contact paper, washi tape or even a coat of spray paint.
Personalize them so everyone knows what their purpose is like "incoming
mail," "recipes" or the family member's name. You can create more
organization by displaying your clipboards on a wall or board (like
pegboard). A clipboard with a hole at the top can easily be hung on a
hook. If you can't find one with a hole for hanging, glue a strong
magnet on the back and use it on a magnet strip or magnet board.
Pin boards and magnet boards
The
plain old cork boards you see at your local office supply store or
hardware store works great as the all-encompassing command center. Easy
to hang on the wall, this board (if large enough) can hold calendars,
photos, invites, reminders and anything else that needs to be quickly
seen by the family. Cork can be purchased pre-mounted on a framed board
or you can find it by the roll. Keep in mind the thickness of the cork;
if it's too thin, your pins will actually puncture the wall behind the
cork. If you can't find the right size cork board, try hanging a piece
of homasote (this can be purchased at the hardware store and wrapped
with fabric). Push pin boards are inexpensive, but keep in mind that
you'll need a place to keep the actual push pins. These pins can be
hazardous: stepping on them can be terribly painful and toddlers could
try to put them in an electrical socket. If this sounds too dangerous
for your family, consider a magnet board. Magnet boards can be covered
with fabric to make it feel more decorated.
Magazine holders and file folders
Magazine
and file folders are another inexpensive office supply purchase that
can quickly tame the mess of papers, mail, magazines and other necessary
items. Some magazine holders are designed to hang on the walls, some
sit on a shelf. You'll have to figure out how much space you have and
how many you need. Professional organizers usually suggest getting
something that is just the right size for one week; if it's too big it
might get filled with old items. Too small and it won't hold enough.
Clearly label the holders by family member or by storage item. Many
store bought items can be personalized to fit your style or color code
them by person.
Hooks and knobs
The
common hook can go far in your budget conscious command center. Hooks
can hold keys, the dog leash, a purse, small containers, and a whole
host of items. Inexpensive hooks can be spray painted to give them more
pizzaz and can be attached directly to the wall, cork board or a simple
strip of wood. Hooks can also be S-hooks hung from a curtain rod or
towel rod. Screw hooks can be screwed into a frame or on the underneath
part of a shelf. Door knobs and drawer pulls can also be used to hang
things from .
source: about.com
