Kitchen Command Center Organizing Ideas

Keeping a family organized means taking control of information and schedules
for everyone’s activities. Here are some ideas to set up your own home base to
divide and conquer the paperwork. Follow these three steps to create an effective kitchen command center:

1. Centralize.
2. Categorize.
3. Utilize.

You’ll keep your troops ready for action, and you’ll feel more in charge of
the paperwork and your time.

Smead Frequency Expanding File

CENTRALIZE

• Designate one place as your command center. Make sure
  it’s a spot that doesn’t interfere with normal kitchen activities. Include a
  flat surface area, some wall space and a drawer if possible.
• Dedicate the space to managing the activities of the
  household, such as kids’ school, sports and extracurricular activities, family
  schedules, and neighborhood, church or community events.
• Include a master calendar where all of the family
  members’ activities can be seen at once. A white board for writing messages is
  helpful, too.
• Make the command center the landing place for incoming
  mail and activities paperwork. Be sure all family members put their schedules,
  invitations, registration and order forms, assignment lists and other
  activity-related materials here.

CATEGORIZE

• Review any mail and new papers daily. Keep bills
  separated from activity materials. Reserve the command center for managing
  schedules and upcoming activities only.
• Sort the activity paperwork into groups for each family
  member. Write important dates on the master calendar.
• Use a Poly Frequency Expanding File to hold all
  activity materials. Use different pockets to hold materials for each activity.
  Write the person’s name and the activity on the tab inserts. Use a different
  color insert for each family member for quick identification.
• Use multiple pockets to divide children’s activities
  into school, sports and extracurricular activities.
• Keep the Poly Frequency Expanding File on the counter
  where it’s easily visible and accessible. Rugged poly material and a protective
  flap make it portable and secure.

UTILIZE

• Check the calendar daily to stay aware of upcoming
  events. Look ahead a few days to make sure you are on track for all scheduled
  activities.
• Review the materials in each person’s activity pockets
  every day for any paperwork that pertains to the events on the calendar. Fill
  out any forms that need to be turned in. Include payments if needed.
• Keep the command center uncluttered. Do not store
  papers permanently in the expanding file. Discard or file materials that are no
  longer important for an upcoming event.

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