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    Kitchen Command Center

    By Stacy 81 Comments

    I have always struggled with homework and school papers cluttering up my kitchen. The kids come home from school and unload their backpacks on the counter (sometimes in the office). Important papers and assignments were getting lost. The problem was, there really wasn't a good place to put it. I tried a basket once. I tried a drawer. But if it was out of sight, it was out of mind.

    I have hesitated to create a command center in my kitchen because I love the way it looked without one! My kitchen is tiny and I really don't like a lot of things on my counter.  I have big windows and not a lot of wall space for one either.

    I decided to add a wall.

    It has always bothered me that you could see the back of our fridge and the chimney that juts out from the wall.  So I fixed both my problems with one project :)

    (I couldn't find a more recent picture of the side/back of my fridge. I forgot to take a before picture before I dove into the project!)

    We had a picture ( I will get to that later), the chore charts, and the homework folder rack.

    The homework folder rack is from IKEA. I have been looking for an off-white metal one for so long. I was happy to find this one for such a great price. I added the numbers. They are vinyl that I cut out using my Silhouette, but you could also use an X-acto knife (razor blade knife).

    If you don't live near an IKEA, you can buy some of their stuff on Amazon:

    (affiliate link)

    If your kids are like mine, anytime I ask them to do something or tell them about something the first thing out of their mouth is "why." And it is a valid question. I think we are more likely to do something if we know the meaning or reason behind it. So before I hung everything on the wall we had a special family meeting. I told them I had come up with a good plan to help keep their papers organized and how to remind them about doing their chores.

    We talked about why it is important to be organized and why they needed to do their chores. Then I showed them a picture I made. I took a photo of our house and typed a scripture over it. I told them it would serve as a reminder of this special meeting we had.

    The "wall" is just a piece of half inch plywood. I nailed it into the side of the cabinet that is above the fridge and then caulked along where the board met the (green) existing wall.

    I added one inch trim to the edge of the plywood so the "wall" would seem thicker and so it would have a nice rounded,  smooth edge.

    Then I added baseboard to the bottom and molding that matched what I had added to the cabinet on the top. Now it looks like it has always been there :)


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    Filed Under: Favorites, Home Decor 81 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Meggan Hayes

      November 12, 2012 at 7:14 am

      Amazing, love it!

      Reply
    2. Allison

      November 12, 2012 at 8:18 am

      This is genius! I've been trying to come up with a solution for our kitchen and this just might work!

      Reply
    3. Jennifer E.

      November 12, 2012 at 8:45 am

      Looks great! Very simple, yet extremely useful!

      Reply
    4. Liz @ The Fresh Plate

      November 12, 2012 at 8:45 am

      I love this. WSith 4 kids, I really need a station . Thank you for the inspiraation.

      Reply
    5. Karrie

      November 12, 2012 at 8:57 am

      I love this. What a great idea! thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Kendra

      November 12, 2012 at 10:59 am

      Love this! We just moved into a new home and have a perfect little spot for something like this; can I ask what you have in the frames for their chores for each of your kids? LOVE THE HOUSE/QUOTE FRAME!!!!

      Thanks for always taking the time to post wonderful ideas! I don't comment as often as I should, so I apologize for that. But, know that you are always inspiring others with your posts and we appreciate you (and many other bloggers) for taking the time away from your family to share these things with us.

      Kendra

      Reply
      • Stacy

        November 12, 2012 at 11:13 am

        Thanks!!! I typed up their jobs and printed them on cream card stock and framed them in $2 Walmart frames that I painted and sanded to distress. The kids have morning jobs, afternoon jobs and evening jobs. We change their jobs every three months or so.

        Reply
    7. Heart and Haven

      November 12, 2012 at 11:01 am

      That simple wall was a brilliant idea. Such an easy and inexpensive update to give the fridge a very upscale "built-in" look. And to provide a small for more organization/decor...bonus!

      Reply
    8. Jenna

      November 12, 2012 at 11:32 am

      Oh my goodness, this is just so brilliant! And it looks great, too. You would never know that the wall was new. Great job!

      Reply
    9. Lovee'

      November 12, 2012 at 11:41 am

      Great job, it does look like the wall has always been there. I absolutely love the picture of the house and the quote...I have to steal that. I'm been trying to put together a picture wall and this would make a nice addition. I was just cleaning up the kitchen counter and need to come up with a better system too for all their papers from school!

      Reply
    10. Heidi

      November 12, 2012 at 12:17 pm

      I love this idea. Very organized and I like the plaque. I wish I could get this organized!
      Thanks for sharing. The photos are awesome too!
      Exede

      Reply
    11. April Nielsen

      November 12, 2012 at 1:09 pm

      What an amazing idea!! I just printed my calendar organizer chart/menu plan chart today. I am going to start my command center too. I may steal an idea from yours, Thanks!!

      Reply
    12. Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule

      November 12, 2012 at 2:09 pm

      That looks fantastic and what a great idea! Love it!

      Reply
    13. Elizabeth H

      November 12, 2012 at 2:11 pm

      Perfect. You are so talented!!

      Reply
    14. Lori

      November 12, 2012 at 3:13 pm

      Looks like it was always there! Great idea!

      Reply
    15. Stephanie

      November 12, 2012 at 4:03 pm

      Great idea! I need something like this. Your fridge is so clean! Mine is loaded with papers! Your house is so cute!

      Reply
    16. Kelly@lilypadcottage

      November 12, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      Wow, it looks so much better! And I love the organization, great post!
      PS love your new profile picture :)

      Reply
    17. Ashley @ Simply Designing

      November 12, 2012 at 6:36 pm

      What a great change!!! I love how it turned out!

      Ashley
      http://www.simplydesigning.blogspot.com

      Reply
    18. Ginger

      November 12, 2012 at 7:12 pm

      I love the house picture with the scripture over it...I just might make one myself!

      Reply
    19. Erin @ How to Nest for Less

      November 12, 2012 at 7:51 pm

      Absolutely stunning!!

      Reply
    20. Eden Claire

      November 12, 2012 at 8:04 pm

      Wowzers! So impressed... You are truly innovative. Feel a little jealous and more inspired to learn to use hand tools and caulk! :)

      Reply
    21. Heather@French Press

      November 12, 2012 at 8:23 pm

      wow! you are so very creative! you actually made this look simple

      Reply
    22. Jusa

      November 12, 2012 at 8:26 pm

      Brilliant. Nice problem solving, beautifully executed.

      Reply
    23. Shannon Fox

      November 12, 2012 at 8:48 pm

      I love a boxed in fridge! It finishes them off so nicely. And it's the perfect spot for a command center. LOL. Your's looks great!

      Reply
    24. brenda

      November 12, 2012 at 9:46 pm

      excellent

      Reply
    25. Lauren from MomHomeGuide

      November 12, 2012 at 10:33 pm

      It looks perfect! I have the same problem as you do -- when the kids come home, they dump all the papers, etc., out of their backpacks, and I have to figure out where to put everything! I created binders with folders for each kid and stored the binders in an upstairs bookshelf -- they help me put their papers in each folder by subject (math, science, spelling etc.). But while our system is working, your system is much more beautiful! Congrats! P.S. I love your blog design -- the yellow design on top is beautiful! (I am a new blogger, so I always notice other bloggers' designs.)

      Reply
    26. Jenn

      November 13, 2012 at 12:49 am

      That "wall" makes SUCH a difference in the space! I love your command centre - very discreet {and cute!} organization! Hopefully it gets well used! :)

      Reply
    27. Gaby@GabHousewifeChronicles

      November 13, 2012 at 8:28 am

      I love how it looks!! Congratulations! =)

      Reply
    28. Michelle

      November 13, 2012 at 1:46 pm

      I so need one of these. I feel like I've been losing my head lately.

      Reply
    29. K

      November 13, 2012 at 3:17 pm

      Would you mind posting the Scripture reference you used? it is beautiful. Thank you!

      Reply
    30. Sandy Jenney

      November 13, 2012 at 5:52 pm

      Really an awesome way to add space and make your ref. look great! Love love love the organizing station. I haven't seen those mail boxes at Ikea.. but I'm going to look now. Thanks!

      Reply
    31. kiki comin

      November 13, 2012 at 6:06 pm

      love it, stacy! I NEED to do something like that too..and the kitchen is the best place for it!:)

      Reply
    32. Angela S

      November 13, 2012 at 6:08 pm

      I already have a wall next to the fridge like this, this is a great idea to use that space. I might use it for a message board, menu and grocery list. Great idea.

      Reply
    33. Shannah @ Just Us Four

      November 14, 2012 at 10:07 am

      Your command center is gorgeous. I love that it also provides makes the fridge a little less obvious by creating a "home" for it.

      Reply
    34. Julie @ Restyle Relove

      November 15, 2012 at 3:45 am

      OMG, I have exactly the same problem! Wow, I had to look twice to make sure it was the same space. It looks fantastic! Wow again! My youngest starts school next year and I'm dreading being organised, but this is fantastic. I might have to give it a try too. Thanks for the inspiration. x Jullie

      Reply
    35. tammi

      November 15, 2012 at 12:34 pm

      I love the ceiling too! Any advice on how to do that............

      Reply
      • Stacy

        November 15, 2012 at 12:50 pm

        Here is the tutorial I did: http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/07/checkered-ceiling-tutorial.html

        Reply
    36. Maxie Sykes

      November 15, 2012 at 11:18 pm

      Love the new look of your kitchen...especially the wall cabinet at the top of your fridge. I also have a folder rack but not from the IKEA Company...it was a gift from my grandmother now I know what to do with my folder rack...Thanks for the fabulous ideas.

      Reply
    37. Donna G

      November 16, 2012 at 5:50 am

      Clever!

      Reply
    38. Runt

      November 19, 2012 at 10:26 am

      What a great idea! I love everything about the command center. I love the wall - it really looks like it's been there all along. I love the picture and the meaning of it to. Precious!

      Reply
    39. Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles

      November 19, 2012 at 6:54 pm

      Hi Stacy! I love how you built around your fridge, but your command center caught my eye even more. I, too, have a never ending pile on the kitchen counter and you're right, out of sight out of mind! I'm totally going to try your system. Wish we had an Ikea closer than 3 hours away, I'll be hunting for that filing rack elsewhere.

      Reply
    40. Mel

      November 21, 2012 at 12:40 am

      Hi there, just wondering what the scripture reference was..I really like it!

      Reply
    41. Maria Trader

      November 25, 2012 at 11:16 am

      Everything about that is sheer genius.

      Reply
    42. Anne @ DesignDreamsbyAnne

      December 01, 2012 at 10:49 am

      Sweet! Love the look. I wish my fridge had grey sides, it's stainless with black sides... so dark!!!

      Have a great day!

      xox

      Reply
    43. Melissa

      December 30, 2012 at 6:37 am

      Looks fantastic! Great job!

      Reply
    44. Recreateanddecorate

      January 06, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Perfect! I'm currently organizing my kitchen clutter! Great idea and we have an ikea!

      Reply
    45. jodi

      February 16, 2013 at 9:22 am

      Love this! Did you build the cabinet above the fridge too?

      Reply
    46. Jonelle Ramsey

      May 10, 2013 at 11:19 am

      I am soooo impressed with your ingenius idea. I've looked at the side of our refrigerator from the kitchen table for 29 years. I've tried to "hide" it with a table (not enough to cover the fridge wall), with a lamp (again, not good idea).
      Now I see your talented idea, and although I'm an old bag, I have a project for hubby and me...we're going to have a wall!!!
      YOU are one smart cookie...Thank you so much.

      Reply
    47. Pat

      August 06, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      I luv this whole look & am making it my next project, along with the "House of prayer" saying! Thanks for sharing, and God bless you and your family!

      Reply
    48. Michelle

      November 04, 2013 at 2:49 pm

      Hello!
      What did you use to attach the frames and file rack to the wall? We have something very similar to the side of our fridge and I think that's a great way to use space, but I don't think we could nail into it. Would command hooks be a good option?
      It's beautiful, thanks for sharing!
      - Michelle

      Reply
    49. Scott Freeman

      February 06, 2014 at 10:59 pm

      I won't argue the aesthetic of your fridge command center... But, that is a really "bad idea" that will more than half the life of your fridge! that is a heat sink on the back of that fridge that you just boxed in... these fridges need air circulation! to bleed off the heat from the compressor, Your fridge will half to work three times as hard to keep things cool. Don't believe me, Google it.

      Reply
    50. cheaz

      February 22, 2014 at 3:52 pm

      How did you attach the bottom of the piece of plywood?

      Reply
      • Stacy

        February 23, 2014 at 6:22 pm

        I didn't. The board is attached at the top and all along the side so I didn't find it necessary to attach it on the floor. If I had, I guess I would have caulked it so it was semi permanent.

        Reply
    51. Danielle

      June 11, 2014 at 11:39 pm

      Did you use some type of shield given that your stove is so close to your fridge? I'm currently remodeling and have the same setup.

      thanks

      Reply
    52. Erika

      September 09, 2014 at 7:11 am

      Hi, really like the simple concept and was wondering how it was still working for you? Do you have enough room in the bottom folders? Thanks!

      Reply
    53. Robert

      September 30, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      I know this post has been up forever already, but did you ever notice that you blurred out the names on the top, but not inside the jobs list.

      Reply
    54. Brenda

      January 20, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Would love to see the rest of the kitchen so far looks great

      Reply
    55. Jenn

      February 18, 2015 at 12:16 pm

      Looks so awesome! I am just about to paint my cabinets white and love how yours turned out. What type of paint did you use and what color? I am worried about having brush marks and the paint chipping so I want to make sure I do it right so that it looks professional.

      Reply
    56. JANICE H FOY

      May 15, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      Very nice,and creative..

      Reply
    57. JANICE H FOY

      May 15, 2015 at 9:03 pm

      Very nice,and creative..Love,Love,Love it.

      Reply
    58. Nina

      June 16, 2015 at 4:18 pm

      Nicely done! Love the scripture! I an tell you are a great mother & a woman of God.

      Reply
    59. Donna

      February 18, 2016 at 6:46 am

      It's perfect! And though you started out to control paper it enhanced your kitchen so much by adding the wall and cabinet above. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

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