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Home » decorating » Getting Organized — My Family Message Center {take two}

decorating, diy, organizing, tutorial · November 9, 2011

Getting Organized — My Family Message Center {take two}

Tatertots & Jello is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I am not a naturally organized person. So one of the things that’s hard when my kids go back to school is keeping track of all of the papers and notes that come home in their backpacks. There have been many times that some “crucial” papers have been accidentally swept into the garbage in one of my efforts to tidy up my kitchen. And the kitchen is where everything seems to get dumped after school.
messy desk
I have a desk in my kitchen that was the catch-all for everything that came in the door. Plus, the area right above my desk was full of outlets, a very unattractive intercom system thing-a-ma-bob and phones. Very ugly.
So I tried to come up with an idea that would take all of those papers, plus make the space a little prettier.
picture before
here’s what I came up with. I scored a big old frame at a garage sale for $1. I spray painted it white and then I found this adorable Bicycle Fabric at Spoonflower. Have you heard of Spoonflower? It’s a really great site that lets you print your own fabric designs or buy some that from artists all over the world. I love this fabric – it’s playful and it matches my new Kitchen Remodel colors.
bik fabric
{Let’s Ride}
I took a piece of sheet metal and trimmed it to fit over the original painting. Then I covered it with this fabric. I fitted it back in the frame and voila – a pretty magnet board that covers up all of those unattractive cords and outlets – yay!!
Then I found a clear file folder from Office Depot. I covered some manila file folders with scrapbook paper and printed off labels for everyone in the family. I attached the file folder holder to the wall with some 3M Command Strips. So if I ever want to take it down, my painted cabinet will not be ruined.
clear folder
file folders
And directly under the clear folder, I put a tray from Ikea. I put some vintage jello molds inside of an old bread pan with paper clips, rubber bands and other office-y things. Plus I put a couple pot-it note pads so people can take down messages when people call.
So now I have a place to put those important school papers that are filed away, but easily accessible. And best of all, hopefully nothing important will end up in the trash this school year!!

How do YOU keep your family organized?? Do you have a system?? I would love to know!!

xoxo

Posted By: Jen · In: decorating, diy, organizing, tutorial

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Comments

  1. noreservations4lunchdinner says

    May 19, 2013 at 8:37 PM

    Totally love this idea. We just bought a house and upgraded the appliances and it hits me on day 2 that I can’t put my lists or anything on our new stainless steel fridge. Googled message center ideas for the kitchen and got your blog… LOVE it. Totally going to repurpose the next frame I see! 🙂

  2. dina says

    January 18, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Hi Jen!
    I am wondering if you can tell me where you got the beautiful magnets for your cute new board!
    Thanks,
    Dina

  3. Amber says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Very cute I really need to do this in my own home! Thanks for another great idea Jen!

  4. dina says

    January 11, 2012 at 7:32 AM

    Hi Jen –
    I love how you hid the ugly outlets! I have the same issue and am totally stealing your idea!!! Can’t wait to get started. One question, where to you get the SUPER adorable magnets for your board? Did you make them? If so, can you pretty please, with sugar on top, share how you did it?

    thanks!
    Dina from GA

  5. Vanessa P says

    January 10, 2012 at 12:26 AM

    Love this definately going to make – such a great idea.

    One question did you make the beautiful magnets????? I really must have some of them as well lol.

  6. Jen @ Sunny Vanilla says

    January 7, 2012 at 2:01 PM

    I am totally going to find a frame and buy sheet metal for this project. I didn’t know you could cover the sheet metal in fabric…heck I didn’t even know about sheet metal 😉

    Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

  7. Kirsten Berry says

    January 6, 2012 at 2:33 PM

    Love the fabric covered magnetic board! Great ideas.

  8. mary governal says

    January 3, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    I love your ideas! I will be off work for weeks from surgery and will try some of these organizing
    ideas. My refrigerator is stainless steel so magnets don’t stick. I love your fabric covered metal idea in a frame!

  9. Megan says

    January 3, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    I’m on a mission to get organized too this year, love all of your ideas!

  10. DaNita says

    December 21, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    I created a message center for myself out of fabric and such. I also sell 16 x 20 Message Center Prints and Child Message Center Prints, that you frame and use as a dry erase board, which makes for Delightful Order.

    Check them out here:
    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/09/everyday-message-center-dry-erase-print.html

    Love your system!
    DaNita

  11. Sarah says

    November 13, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Hi Jen,
    Thank you so much for this great idea. You are so creative!

    I might just try this also. I’ve been looking for a way to keep our family info organized.

    Thanks again,
    Sarah

  12. Marianne@Songbird says

    November 11, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    This looks so great and wonderfully organized.
    I am a bit confused though. I have been looking for a way to hang some folders too, so I was eyeing your clear folder holder. But in the later pictures it looks like it has some iron scroll work? Is that just confusing in the pic and does it come from one of the decorative papers or did you decorate that file holder too?
    Hope I can find something similar at Staples over here (don’t have Office Depot).

    • meg says

      January 13, 2012 at 3:01 PM

      agreed! the white design made the file look so classy and modern! i also love the labels! can we get a template for those?!

  13. Danielle says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    awesome! love it!

  14. Jackie says

    November 10, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Love, love, love the bicycle fabric!!! And I really like how you framed it. A message center like this would definitely make me at least want to be more organized 🙂

  15. MiMi says

    November 10, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    This space is the bane of your existence! LOL
    I’m in the organizing mood…I just did my pantry today. UGH!

  16. Jenny says

    November 10, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    It looks so nice! I just keep shoving stuff in a drawer and then find it 6 months later. Not workin’ out real well for me. lol

  17. Cerise says

    November 10, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Organized isn’t really in my vocabulary. I try, but it works for about five minutes before getting disorganized again. I love your magnet board, looks great!

  18. Trinity says

    November 10, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I love the fabric you used. I have never heard of spoonflower so I suppose I need to be heading over there after I finish this comment! I wish I was as organizationally inclined as you are. My message system consists of me throwing a sticky note on the door while I am rushing out on the way to work. Definitely not the best system! I really loved your idea. I have a few old pictures that I could do the same with!

  19. Jayna Rae says

    November 10, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    Very cute and well done. That fabric truly is great.

  20. Melanie Woolard says

    November 10, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    we have a 3-ring binder w/ a tabbed folder for each person. We keep important items in. Eyelglass Rx’s, haircut coupons, gift cards etc. Each person knows where to look before asking me. I also have a misc. file

    • Trinity says

      November 10, 2011 at 2:48 PM

      That’s a good idea! I always have trouble keeping track of important papers like Rxs.

  21. Jodi Hall says

    November 10, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Oh this is too cute and i have the perfect spot for that message board 🙂

  22. Ashley says

    November 10, 2011 at 1:13 PM

    I love it! I need something like this for my husband alone ; )

  23. House of Woyaks says

    November 10, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    That looks fantastic! I so need to get on the ball and organize our family chaos, too. Thanks for the great inspiration. Love that magnet board!!

  24. Sigried says

    November 10, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    What a nice idea! Need to do this in my place. My papers are such a mess…

  25. Michelle P. says

    November 10, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    looks so great!!!!! i need to do something like this for my area in the kitchen!

  26. Kassi @ Truly Lovely says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    Love the bike backing! So cute!!! We have a TON of drawers in our kitchen…. Since its just the hubs and I so far he has a drawer and I have a drawer. It’s not the best system… but it works.

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 5:33 PM

      That sounds like a great system!!

      xoxo
      Jen

  27. Kami says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    your kitchen looks so pretty Jen!! I loved seeing you yesterday, that was SOOO nice! Thank you!!

  28. Sarah @ Crafting and Creativity says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:10 AM

    I LOOOOVE this! So pretty & functional all at once! 🙂

  29. HollowSquirrel says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    Where do I buy sheet metal? I’ve been wanting to do that!!!

    • Kellie Christensen says

      November 10, 2011 at 1:49 PM

      I’m trying to figure out where to buy sheet metal too. Let me know. Thanks!!

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 2:00 PM

      You can buy single sheets or rolls of sheet metal at your hardware store like Home Depot. And use heavy duty tin snips to cut the metal sheets 🙂

      xoxo
      Jen

      • Trinity says

        November 10, 2011 at 2:49 PM

        Had no idea they made single sheets! woohoo!

  30. Christy says

    November 10, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    I love this!! You posted it at the most fabulous time for me, too! I’ve GOT to get a schedule and everything organized. Seems with two in school now, and 2 sets of sports I never know if I am coming or going! Yours is wonderful!

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 5:35 PM

      That’s how I felt too Christy!! It’s so nice to have a place for all of those papers and have them organized per person!

      xoxox
      Jen

  31. Ashlee says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    I love this! Great ideas!

  32. Mardell says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    This looks great! I am inspired to something like this in my sewing room. I already have the acrylic file system and all I need are the good looking folders! Thanks for another inspiring project Jen.

  33. Jen says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    What did you use to cover the plastic Office Depot thingy?

    Beautiful work going to do this asap!

  34. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Looks fantastic!! I am a paper piler. I have hopes of recovering, but unless I get my butt in gear, it won’t be any time soon. I love your solution!!!

  35. Lydia says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this message center! My hubby and I need to try this!! thank u for sharing! awesome idea!

  36. Molly Smith says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Oh my goodness, the before pic of the desk is hilarious with all your comments. I have never seen fabric covering sheet metal for a magnet board. Brilliant! Love how the finished desk area looks. Everything is so pretty, but from what I’ve seen, your entire home is beautiful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
    -Molly

  37. Sarah @ Just The Bee's Knees says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I love your magnet board!! I hate how they put plugs & Switches right in the middle of the wall over those kitchen desks! Ugh!

    I just revealed my new family/blog command center the other day Check it out:
    http://www.justthebeesknees.com/2011/11/command-center-reveal.html

  38. Carrie says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:08 AM

    This is such a great idea. Love that you covered all the cord area with something so cute – brilliant!

  39. adventuresindinner says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Fab! I’ve got this overhaul on my list and you’ve just helped me gel some ideas.

  40. Katie {Sweet Rose Studio} says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Love it Jen! I adore that you didn’t lose prettiness for the sake of organization!

  41. Rasonda says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Looove this. I cant tell you how many times as I was reading the post that I gasped “me too”… “me TOO!”… “ME TOOOOO!!!” Ecspecially about the thrown away papers. Great ideas and beautiful little set up. I have the perfect idea for my own kitchen now.

  42. Jen says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    Love it! It really looks nice and clean

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 9:27 AM

      Thanks Jen!! I love my cabinets white. It really makes my kitchen seem so much bigger and brighter. And I think the grey walls and accents really make it look clean too 🙂

      Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it!

      xoxo
      Jen

  43. katie mcfarland says

    November 10, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    LOVE IT! I think I could use the frame idea for sure! What I a great idea for magnets.

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 9:26 AM

      Thanks Katie!! I got that frame for $1 from a garage sale – such a steal. I am sure you could find some too. It’s nice having a magnet board there to cover up all of those cords and keep things like the lunch menu there so my kids can see it every day 🙂

      xoxo
      Jen

  44. Shauna@Satori Design for Living says

    November 10, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    Love it! You created a functioning system that looks great too! Spoonflower is one of my favorite fabric suppliers!

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 8:59 AM

      Thanks Shauna!! I love having the folders right there so easily accessible! I love Spoonflower. I ordered some fabric to make pillows for my couch too. It’s fun to see all of the different designs that you can’t find anywhere else.

      Thanks for the sweet comment!!

      xoxo
      Jen

  45. Kelli says

    November 10, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    I love that fabric! I apparently need to get more organized! Yesterday I found my boys school picture forms that were due two weeks! Luckily they let me turn them in late:)

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 8:42 AM

      LOL Kelli!! That sounds like me. I have the hardest time keeping track of things. Now that I have the folders I’m doing a little better though LOL!

      xoxox
      Jen

  46. Amanda says

    November 10, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    I have been thinking about doing something similar to the file folder in our closet under the stairs for mail. I was going to use cereal boxes cut down and covered in pretty paper but this might be more durable.

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 8:12 AM

      I love the idea of cereal boxes cut down and covered in paper. That would be really pretty and functional too!!!

      xoxox
      Jen

  47. sibylle says

    November 10, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    the print is beautiful!

    • Jen says

      November 10, 2011 at 8:13 AM

      I really like it too!! I think Spoonflower is a fun site because you can find fabric on there that isn’t available anywhere else and it’s really unique 🙂

      Thanks for your comment. Have a wonderful day!

      xoxox
      Jen

Hi! I'm Jen Hadfield. I'm a mom of 5 restoring an 1891 home in the heart of Salt Lake City. I love being creative and sharing simple ideas to make your life easier and more beautiful!

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