Back to School // Command Center & Portable Homework Station

This school year, I vowed to get more organized. During Jayden’s first year of school, we realized that we needed a better way to keep up with important announcements and school events. Using the fridge simply wasn’t enough. Moving over the summer introduced us to a better layout which helped inspire and motivate me to tackle this much-needed project. The entryway of our kitchen is the perfect spot for our command center. This area is one of the busiest in our home, so we are always reminded of the the latest happenings and things that need to be taken care of.

Quite a few of the items featured in this space are items that we already had. Being able to shop around the house and repurpose items is so rewarding. The bulletin and clip boards were from our previous office space. I brought in the stag (KarmaKiss.net) and banner (Children Inspire Design) from our previous living room. I brought in some additional items from Walmart to complete the space. We needed a spot to hang backpacks, jackets, and accessories so I grabbed 3 double coat hooks for this purpose. We also needed a spot for mail so I grabbed a letter holder (similar) which also has hooks for Greg’s keys. Now we can get them off of the credenza which Jax likes to mess with.

I grabbed some inexpensive Mainstays frames (grab them in bulk) for fun printables (1. Subway Art / 2. Dr. Seuss Quotes). I originally planned on framing a weekly calendar printable, but I decided it’d be easier to laminate and maintain from a clip board. As soon as I find my laminator pockets (we’re still unpacking), it’ll be going in the laminator.

For our dry erase markers, I created a wall pocket using an embroidery hoop and fabric. The Walmart in my new town has quite the fabric selection. I was excited to find so many patterns available in inexpensive squares. I cut two pieces of fabric, folded one and positioned it over the other. I placed the two pieces inside of the hoop and tucked and taped the excess on the back of the hoop. I didn’t want to modify the fabric too much, since I may repurpose it later.

I love how the wall pocket turned out. It really complements the command center and adds even more cheer to the space.

I didn’t stop at the command center, I also created a portable homework station! If you remember, we previously had our school supplies in an over-the-door shoe rack. Most of the doors in our new place leave very little room for the metal hooks. The fit’s so tight, that the doors won’t close. So I came up with an even better solution. Last year, we would just grab from the over-the-door storage as needed. We kept crayons and color pencils in a bucket, so I decided to streamline the process by putting everything in a designated bin.

I found the BHG Galvanized Bin to be the perfect solution and it resembles a locker. Love when things come together this way. So inside, we have all of the essentials necessary for Jayden to complete his homework, including his custom journal and electric pencil sharpener (which is awesome, btw). Sidenote: I sharpened each and every one of those color pencils for the purpose of this post. Oh, yes I did.

So I think we are pretty organized for school. I’m still working on menu planning as well as some wardrobe tweaks. I’ll be sharing my progress soon!

As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.