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Organization Project — My Kitchen Command Station!!

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One of my goals for 2011 is to get more organized. 
I decided to start off with my kitchen desk area…

**Kitchen Command Station**
I have a little corner in my kitchen that I originally set up to hold all of the kids’ important school papers, directories, plus paper and pens for taking messages. Unfortunately that area became a dumping ground for all sorts of things — catalogs, papers and odds and ends. And that area became so messy that phone messages would sometimes get lost!
I decided I needed a simpler way of keeping track of papers and messages.

The transformation started off with some vintage bread pans and jello molds I discovered at a thrift store. 
I used the jello molds to hold small items like tiny post-it notes, paper clips and clips.

Then I found a clear file folder holder at Target ($2.99) that could be hung on the wall — freeing up valuable counter space.


I had some Martha Stewart laser-cut paper with a quatrefoil design.

I attached a sheet of it to the inside of the clear file folder rack. I used some 3M Command strips to hang it so I wouldn’t have to put any holes in my wall. I like these strips because when I want to remove them someday, they’re easy to just pull them off and they won’t damage the paint or finish.
Once I cleaned out the drawers, I put an Ikea tray in each drawer to corral the directories and other items that might slide around by themselves. I used a couple of the vintage bread pans to hold extra pens, pencils, scissors and other items that are used in the desk area.






I made a file folder for each person in the family to keep their current papers like permission slips, current homework and things that people need right away. I let everyone pick our a paper that they liked for their file folder. Then I traced the file folder onto the paper and cut it out.
And used spray adhesive to attach the paper to the file folder.

To finish the file folders, I printed out each person’s name using printer labels.
And then I used my Silhouette machine to print out some label frames that I put on top of the labels.

Now I have a place to put everyone’s school papers and other important to-do papers.

 The last thing I did was brought a tray in to hold all of the desk materials.

I’m so happy with my new message station. 
I feel like I can find everything so much easier.

It’s a great way to start off a new year!!
xoxo
PS — What do YOU use to keep your papers organized??? If you have blogged about it and can leave a linkto it in your comments, I would love to see it and write a post up with other people’s organizational ideas too!!PS — I am sharing this post with these fun parties — check them out!

The DIY Show OffBCD 125UndertheTableandDreaminggiveawaysTidy Mom I'm Lovin It FridaysPhotobucket 

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnmjV2lzI/AAAAAAAAMRU/7N4JZfpcKfA/OrganizeItBasket2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800

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Comments

  1. Patti says

    Jen ~ I LOVE your idea! That is so neat/tidy AND handy. You've done a great job with it – and even though nobody would know that the Jello molds were actually old Jello molds, I love the idea of using them for this project. Great idea all around. I have so many of the materials already for this, now, just to clean up and make room .. which actually would SAVE room in the end and look Great! Thank you ~

  5. goodenoughmommy says

    I have the same file holder from Target and use it for my daughter's folder that travels between school and home each day. I love what you did with it. I wish I had thought of using Command strips (why didn't I? I love them.) When I saw all the folders, I assumed they were the expensive, designer ones. Plus, I love the idea of using bread pans in the drawers.

    I think I may have found my new favorite blog. You're awesome.

  6. NaomiG says

    AAAHHHH!!! This post is such a blessing to me, as I've been trying to organize my message/random paper/pens/blackberry chargers. Thank you for your brilliant ideas.

  7. Lisa says

    Love this and perfect timing! I am updating my kitchen and NEED a space like this! Thanks for the fabulous ideas!!

  9. Lindy says

    Awesome! I love all the step by steps you did. It turned out great. Stopping by from itsybitsypaper.blogspot.com

  10. Michelle says

    I've tried to get organized. I just can't do it. I think I'm a mix of ADD and OCD. My catalogs are in a basket (OCD) but randomly thrown in and forgotten (ADD). Same with my mail thrown in a basket and gone through when it's spilling out over the floor. I think I just hate mail

  14. Emily says

    Looks great! I've been working on organizing around the house, my kitchen catch all space has been improved but still a problem (blogged about). It's not the space that collects the paper though…. there are other places that happens! Stop by domesticdeadline.blogspot.com

  15. AndreaLeigh says

    so cute Jen! I need to be better about my clutter. I have a bad habit of just dumping mail and it has turned into an awful mess on my kitchen island.

  16. Kara @ Mine for the Making says

    not only does the organization of your kitchen command station make my heart sing, but the colors and patterns and all of the little details are just lovely. thanks for the inspiration jen!

    xoxo
    Kara

  18. Angie says

    I've been thinking of getting some of these clear file holders to store cuttingboards, cooking magazines, recipes, etc. Excellent idea on transforming them! Thanks for sharing.

  20. Jami says

    What a great idea! Since I have four kids of my own, I love that you have found a way to keep their papers organized. I have found several solutions that would be great for 2 or kids, but not four. Thanks for sharing your creativity. I love it!!

  22. Shauntel says

    That is what I need. I have an area just like that and it makes me crazy right now. I've never noticed a cute tray like yours in the stores, I've never really looked for one either. Where did you find it? I like the color of yours so much. I'll be sure to send you before and after shots when I finish! 🙂

    Shauntel

    http://the-polka-dot-umbrella.blogspot.com/

  24. Pearlann66 says

    Great ideas!!
    too funny that you are using those Jell-o tins cause i just picked up a set of 4 of those exact tins last weekend at a yard sale!!
    I have some others but they dont' have the Jello impression on the bottom. I actually checked to see the value of the and on ebay or maybe it was etsy you can buy them for like $10!!!! I hope you paid less than that for your set, i know I paid WAY less for my set 🙂

  26. Goober Monkey says

    Uhhh how have I NEVER seen your blog before?!?! I am in SERIOUS SERIOUS love. For real. New follower!!!

  28. Jessica says

    I love what you did! So much better. I need to find me some cool little jello molds. Those are awesome!
    I also like the idea of putting cute scrapbook paper over file folders. Genius!

    justenoughstyle.bolgspot.com

  29. Erin says

    I has never occured to me to just cut and paste pretty paper to a folder! DUH! 🙂

    I've been looking and looking for folders that I actually liked.

    I'm currently working on my paper piles. What a mess! It's taken DAYS of sorting, shredding, filing and thinking about the best way to handle it in the future!

  30. Shirley says

    That is such an awesome station. I instantly fell in love with the jello molds. I've never seen any like that. I am on the hunt now at my local thrift stores! I also love the bread pans. Since I bake my own, I'd probably end up using them for food rather than storage. 🙂

  32. Holly from Leaps of Faith says

    I absolutely LOVE it! I have slowly been working on my "kitchen command station"…got a PB charging station, some cute file folders (next time I will be making mine..love the idea), and made a magnetic chalkboard…but now its time to put it all together! Looks like I'll be heading to Target 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!

  33. Jenni says

    Hey I noticed you tried to blot out the name of your kids school, but you didn't grab the phone number or address. I'm not sure how concerned you are about that but thought I would let you know.

  34. Courtney says

    This is a FABULOUS idea!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this. I'll definitely be pulling some ideas from this.

  38. sharon says

    I love your beautiful your new command center! You are inspiring me to make sure that my systems are as beautiful as they are functional…. I need to go back and work some more on that one!
    I have six kids and strive to be as organized as possible. In this blog post I talk about how I manage all of the paperwork that comes from school, and how I keep it all organized in my kitchen "command center":
    http://momof6.com/2010/10/05/my-game-plans/plans-to-manage-the-house/setting-yourself-up-for-less-stress/family-routines/part-2-family-routines-what-we-do-after-school/

    Thanks for allowing me to share this! I love reading your blog!
    Warmly,
    Sharon
    http://www.momof6.com

  41. Elz says

    I love the feeling after a nice organizing. Everythign is so fresh and clean. I'm in the process of my kitchen-dumping ground overhaul as well! (I'm always in the middle of some project it seems).

  42. Alicia says

    this looks great jen!! i love your station 🙂 for organizing papers, i just did the "paper project" over at iHeart Organizing…jen showed everyone how to sort, toss, keep, file, etc…it was a beautiful thing 🙂

  43. The Smith Family says

    I am 100% totally inspired, I'm going to try to do this in my kitchen this weekend, I have the perfect random counter to use too! Yay, thanks so much for this wonderful idea! I hope I can make mine as cute as yours

    Lorie

    [email protected]

  47. jennykate77 says

    LOVE this, Jen!!! My kitchen counter looks a lot like that. I've been needing to coral the kitchen mess for while, but being in the middle of construction, it just hasn't been feasible. BUT my new kitchen is almost finished and I'm definitely going to use this idea to keep organized!!

    Hope you're having a great week!!

  48. Heidiopia says

    Great stuff, Jen– I love how you've repurposed the jello molds and bread pans! This reminds me that I need to address my own "command" space. 🙂

  49. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    Organization never looked so good, Jen! : ) I love how everything is color coordinated, too.

  54. celine says

    i like this ALOT – simple, practical and affordable. you have inspired me to organize my kitchen dumping tray, thanks! 🙂 xoxo

  56. Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says

    I especially love that you added that paper to it! This looks amazing – well done.

  57. Krafty Kat says

    Great job! I love the little jello molds- how appropriate! 🙂 We just have a little phone table with some pens and post-its and then everything else gets piled on my desk. I like this idea and would love to have a place for everyone else's things (besides my desk)!

  58. (un)Deniably Domestic says

    Awesome! I have a CBCC (creative baking command center) and the girls just roll their eyes at me every time I call it that. Will blog it soon. It is great to organize something. ~Kelly

    unDeniably Domestic

  60. Christine says

    I continue to be amazed by you! This is absolutely adorable and so functional at the same time!

  61. Jill says

    Wow! Brilliant! I have the perfect spot to put this in my kitchen… might just have to steal, er, borrow, this idea.

  62. Jennifer @ Studio JRU says

    That is fantastic! I am working on a 'command center' in our kitchen too! Goal for this year. 🙂

  64. Kimm at Reinvented says

    Love it, especially the colors!!! I'm looking at my horribly messy "command center" counter right now and it needs your kind of help Jen!!

  65. Decorchick! says

    So SO awesome Jen!! I totally need to get on the ball and get more organized. It's crazy! Our command station is the office desk right now. 🙂

  67. Courtney @ Scraps and Scribbles says

    So pretty and functional. I'm still in the process of getting things organized after our move to the new house and this has gotten me all inspired. Love what you did with the wall file-so creative!

  70. Alyssa says

    Now that's what I call organized! Nice job! I love the file folders. My problem is that they'd become so full of papers that I wouldn't know what to do with them either ;)Alyssa of Boston Bee

  71. Jennifer says

    Wow, that looks great and functional! I love the idea of decorating the clear plastic with the laser cut paper. And those jello tins are awesome! Where did you fine them?
    Jen
    Scissors & Spatula

  77. Sommer says

    I'm hoping to have a station in my new house, I move this weekend so all those little details aren't worked out yet. But in my current house I have two bins in a drawer and each day hubby brings in mail I throw junk in the trash and put all the bills and notices in bin A. Then when we get paid he pulls out bin A and all the paid bills and notices that need to be filed go into bin B. On the first of each month I file all of bin B into the file box =) I'll blog about it if I use the same system in the new house.

  79. 2busy says

    I just redid my command central. It doesn't look as great as yours, but it is certainly an improvement. I should blog it, but I didn't take a before picture. I suppose the after still looks nice…

  80. Me says

    I am so jealous of your organization; And those old jello molds are so cute!
    I was just looking around my kitchen today wondering how people keep things organized, thank's for letting us have a peak at what you're doing. 🙂

  81. Joy Crile says

    I love your new organized command central. I'm a bit of an organizational junkie so I was immediately drawn to this post and I especially love how you made your own color coordinated folders in your beautiful acrylic (but oh so doesn't look acrylic) file holder. Cute, cute, cute! Great job!

  82. ⊰OCDesign⊱ says

    Love it! Command centers are so fun and make you feel so much better! I think I'm going to steal your idea for the vintage bread pans in the drawers! Much better than the tacky black plastic baskets I have now! Love it all, thanks for sharing!
    Jen

  84. Emily says

    Love the transformation! I need to up my game in the kitchen-desk-organization thing. The cute cherry box from Robert's Crafts isn't cutting it any more. And those Command strips? LOVE them! I bought a towel hook that looks just like brushed nickel but uses the Command strip idea. It's strong and easy to hang!

  85. MiMi says

    This looks amazing, Jen!
    So tell me, how many times have you re-done this station? Is it the same one in your kitchen?

  86. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    Applause!!! I so wish I had your gift of mixing and matching patterns and colors. Your command station is beautiful! Love that pretty quatrefoil laser paper. Neat way to dress things up. 🙂

  87. Heather says

    GREAT idea to cover the ugly manilla folders with scrapbook paper. we have the same situation in our kitchen. A conrer where there's folders for everything, pens..whatever. And it has become a dumping ground for everything husband related. this is my weekend project!

  90. Courtney says

    I SOOOO needed this post today! I have been looking for the perfect file folder holder for my office – which doesn't exist apparently -but look at you – you made one! Which is why I love you & your blog. Can't wait to copy you. AGAIN.

  97. Prudently Painted Vintage says

    Great way to make me feel really unorganized! Ha!

    Or I should say thank you for motivating me! I really need some organization in my kitchen drawers!

    Looks awesome!

  98. Kelli @ RTSM says

    Such a smart idea to just cover plain folders with pretty paper! And I love the colors and those jello molds:) I have a similar system for keeping up with my boys papers from school.

  99. Alison says

    looks much better…i have some clear folder holders on the wall…never thought of prettying them up like that…thanks!

    blessings,

    alison
    stuff and nonsense

  100. Midwestern Sewing Girl says

    Love love love!!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!! Love your idea! I, too, have that little IKEA elephant tray…isn't it adorable???

  101. Amber says

    This is GREAT!! Thanks for the Fun Ideas I could use some help in this area of my house too!! Looks so neat and tidy!!

  102. Infarrantly Creative says

    Oh shes a beauty Jen. It is hard to find the right system for an area like that. I hope you have found yours. I am sure I will need that soon enough when my kiddos are in school. Is it weird that I miss you?

  103. Tiff says

    I so need to do something with my little spot in the kitchen. At the moment i keep everything in an old bread basket. Including pens, crayons, magazines, papers, etc. Not exactly the most organized.

  104. mysomedaylist says

    i saw those hanging file folders at target yesterday but couldn't get myself to buy them because they were so plain. i couldn't think of how to fancy them up. your's are perfect! where would one find those cute martha stewart items?

  105. this blessed nest says

    stop it right now ms. sassy pants!

    this is fabulous. looks at all your fun office supplies.

    it always makes me more creative when i work around fun designs. at least that's what i think!

    beautiful & most of all fun command center.

    xoxo

    kellie

  107. Michelle @ Loving Every Second says

    Love this! I SO need a kitchen command station. I love the feeling of being all organized. It makes me happy 🙂

  108. [email protected] says

    Today is my first time to visit your blog, because I read Tam's of Sew Dang Cute's interview and she mentioned you.

    This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for in trying to get myself organized. I wanted it visually appealing but felt so overwhelmed I didn't know where to start. Thanks for the inspiration, so glad I found you!!!

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