Small Spaces: Wall-Mounted Command Center
by Karen Droogan

Every home has a place that's a magnet for piles (unopened mail, shopping lists, permission slips). Clear your family's clutter spot by creating a "Central Command Center." Locate it in a high-traffic area, such as a mudroom, back hallway or stairwell. Use it diligently, and see the top of your kitchen counter or dining room table once again!

STEP ONE: In Boxes
In boxes sort paper clutter well. Assign a wall mounted in box per family member and install it at a convenient height. Label individual manila folders (Mail to Sort, Soccer Schedules) so vital information within the boxes can be easily accessible. Attach binder clips to the in box edges to hold coupons, birthday invitations and reminders. Hang a clipboard for holding grocery and to do lists.

Alternatively, consider a wall mounted organizer that works like a school binder. Each sleeve is color-coded, so you can assign a color per person. (momready.com)

STEP TWO: Office, School & Craft Supplies
To keep writing and project supplies within reach, install a rail system equipped with hanging pencil holders or small tubs (pencil holders are available at lisabecky.com, tubs at ikea.com). Fill the holders with glue sticks, tape, pencils and markers. For small items, such as paperclips or erasers, use magnetized containers and a metal strip (try seejanwork's Soho containers or IKEA's Grundtal containers). Below the rail system, install a rod and a roll of craft paper so your children can help themselves.

STEP THREE: Track Comings & Goings
A command center is also the place to keep abreast of your family's commitments. Make room for a large monthly calendar. Code it by assigning a different colored marker to each person. Below the calendar, mount mini dry erase boards (one per family member) for listing chores or leaving messages.

Step Four : Location, Location, Location
Put your command center in a place that's both central and easily accessible. If it's tucked too far away, it won't use be used. Be creative. If you have a stairwell adjacent to the kitchen, consider mounting your in boxes and calendars there. Use the back wall of the garage if you don't have space inside your home. Whatever location you choose, don't overcrowd it. The point is to free up surfaces and use the vertical space in your home to its fullest advantage. There are many wall mounted organizational products available, so customize your command center according to your needs.

OPTIONS FOR WALL MOUNTED ORGANIZERS
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• Staples sells mesh in boxes in all shapes and sizes. (http://www.staples.com)
• The mesh wall bureau from City Living is more compact than a rail system. (http://www.citylivingstores.com)
• Living Comforts - wooden in boxes have two sections, clear dividers and a key holder. (http://www.livingcomforts.com)
• Ergo's ultra-modern wall mounted system includes a mail sorter and a hanging file folder. (http://www.ergoindemand.com)
• Pottery Barn's stylish daily system offers white boards, calendars, corkboards and file holders that can be mixed and matched. (http://www.potterybarn.com)
• The pocket-strip wall organizer by See Jane Work holds everything from calculators to clipboards. (http://www.seejanework.com)
• The Container Store's silver mesh mail sorter works like an in box. (http://www.containerstore.com)
• Don't limit yourself to office organization products: Organize.com's wall mounted kitchen products can be used for office supplies, as can IKEA's Forjoha cabinets and Bygel cutlery caddy. (http://www.ikea.com)
  

Karen Droogan