Monday, September 17, 2012

Project Pinterest Linkup: Kitchen Command Center



If you've been visiting these parts lately, you know that I have become a total sucker for some linkups. I mean, who doesn't want to see what their favorite bloggers looked like in high school, or what their wedding dresses were like?!

When my favorite SIL decided to start a linkup that was Pinterest inspired? It was like two of my favorite things coming together to create something even more fabulous! Like she mentions in her intro to this new linkup, I am one that pins a TON of stuff: crafts, recipes, organization and cleaning tips, and then I only get around to doing about 20% of the actual pins. This way, I'll be held accountable, and it will give me one more excuse to make frequent trips to HobLob!

What's up for week 1? Well, a few weeks ago, I found the idea for a Kitchen Command Center on Jennifer's blog. Then, I found the pin for her project, and I knew that this simple organization project could make a world of difference in my house! This 'Command Center' would give me a place to store all of the items that are usually floating around on my kitchen counters, or taking residence on our kitchen table.

Since I don't have much leftover cabinet space in my kitchen, I knew I would need to get creative with where I would house this center. So, trust me, there are ways to make this work, even if you don't think you have ample enough cabinet space for it!


Kitchen Command Center (Our Love Nest Version)

What You'll Need
At least one shelf inside of a kitchen cabinet (or cabinet in a mud room, etc. if that works better for your family!)
1 roll of flat corkboard with adhesive backing
1 basket (size of your choice, as long as it fits inside the cabinet)
1 3M adhesive key hook
1 package magnetic clips
1 small bucket (I found mine in the $1 section at Target!)
2-3 plastic sheet protectors
Weekly checklist/planner printables of your choice (I got mine here and here


I started by adhering the roll of corkboard to the inside of my cabinet door. This gave me a nice, blank slate where I could attach my printables. I slipped my two printables (one for cleaning, one for schedule) into the sheet protectors and taped them to the corkboard. Each week, I use my dry erase marker to write on the sheet protector, and then, at the end of the week, or as I complete the listed tasks, I simply erase them and start over.

Then, I attached my handy dandy 3M key hook. It was super easy, and gave me a great place to keep my spare car, house and mail keys safe.

Then, I placed my basket, Home Management Binder, budget notebook and dry erase marker on the cabinet shelf. I am using my basket to house birthday and thank you cards, iPhone and iPad chargers, my weekly meal planning notebook, coupons, cough drops, etc. It has basically become a neat way for me to house all of the 'catch-all' items I had laying around.


I know this picture doesn't look as clean and neat as I had hoped, but there was nowhere else for our ever-growing collection of travel coffee mugs to live other than the shelf right above this one. 

My 'Peek at the Week' printable gives me a place to write down weekly tasks, map out our schedule for that particular week, and to remind myself of random things like gifts I need to buy, errands I need to run, etc.


And, because I can never do just one simple project, I actually created a combination of Jennifer's Command Center and this one. Once I got everything off of the front of my fridge, I felt so much better! Using the side of the fridge works out great for us. 

You must be wondering what I could have had left to put on the side of the fridge, right?


I have talked about our monthly calendar before, and it's still working out great for us. I jot down everything from lunch dates to birthdays to work meetings, and it has been super functional. 

I use the bucket for my colorful dry erase markers, and the hanging filer (from Target) for an extra notepad. And, obviously this was the perfect new home for our NY Jets magnet!

So far, this project has made a huge difference in our house. I am no longer sorting through random piles several times per week, and trying to figure out how to get everything off of my kitchen table. I'm sure that, over time, I will need to clean out the basket to keep it from becoming a total dumping zone, but it has been fabulous having everything in one place!


So, what are you waiting for? Head over and linkup your most recent Pinterest project with AP for 'Project Pinterest' every Monday!!


11 comments:

Unknown said...

Love it! Looks so clean and streamlined

Unknown said...

Love it! Looks so clean and streamlined

Lynsey said...

This looks great. Our family could really benefit from having a command center. Off to add this to my ever-growing "to-do" list via pinterest.

Lauren said...

I love it! I love staying organized! :) That's what I did last night!!!

xo

Ashley Paige said...

i LOVE this. even more, i love that little hanging folder thingy! WANT! Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up!

Anonymous said...

Such a great project!

Unknown said...

I love this. Its pretty and functional :)

Amber said...

I love anything that will help me stay organized! :)

Kristina said...

great job!! I have spotted these cute organizers at Target and now I want!

Meghan said...

What a great idea! Our kitchen is tiny but I am working on a home management notebook to keep at my computer table. Also, I need to find that magnetic calendar!

jessica ♥ The Fevered Pen said...

This looks fantastic! I definitely want to do this project!