As I shared in my back to school tips, I think getting organized at home is a good back to school task–especially when it comes to prepping for the influx of school papers that is about to come home! Big Brother was just in Kindergarten last year, so I didn’t really know what to expect and did NOT have a good plan in place. Suffice it to say that parts of our kitchen may have drown in papers and chaos of missing papers happened (more than once). Sadly, our kitchen has virtually no extra wall space to set up a command center and we have nothing built in for it. In addition, there’s no fun entrance drop zone or mud room space at our house. So, we don’t have a great command center spot at all. One of the only empty surfaces we had in the kitchen/family room area was the pantry door and I’d been so hesitant to do anything to it. But, we needed a better organizational set-up this year, so I decided to go ahead with the pantry door option. I’m so glad that we did!! 
I LOVE it! I’m so glad that I got over my pantry door fear! We’ve been using it all week now and it’s working so well! To give you the full effect though, I think we need a before and after! It all started as a plain ‘ole white pantry door. The first step in the transformation was painting it with chalkboard paint. 
I don’t feel like the pictures do it adequate justice, but it looks great in our kitchen. All of our appliances are black, so it fits well (and you can see there that we have a kid-stuff covered fridge 😉 ). To make the door more functional, I actually used some Martha Stewart products that I was sent for review. The Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line is exclusive to Staples and includes great simple solutions for home organization with everything from from labels and journals to totes and case (p.s. I use my Martha Stewart laptop tote daily!!)! Here’s a glimpse at the two products I used for our little command center: 
The Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery message board and removable, adhesive weekly planner were perfect for helping to create our command center. I wanted a place where we could easily see important dates, reminders, etc. So, the weekly planner is great for that. I love that it’s dry erase! The only issue we’ve had with it is that because it’s removable, the adhesive isn’t sticking as well to the chalkboard paint. So, I’ve actually added a little adhesive to keep it on there. The message board will be great for small papers and lists! In addition to the Martha products, I took one of my old wall file containers from my teaching days to use for Big Brother’s homework and school papers. To spruce it up a bit, I added some washi tape! 
I love how simple it is, but it’s totally functional. Big Brother’s weekly homework and important papers go in the hanging file slots. Then, reminders, notes, and important dates go on the calendar and message board! It’s sooooo much better than various things being strewn about the counters, table, and refrigerator! Plus, I love that the whole door is one giant chalkboard. So, we can write the month, or fun messages, or whatever! 😉 
Do YOU have a command center?
And, how about a few Martha Stewart with Avery products delivered to your door?! That’s right, it’s giveaway time! Onelucky reader will receive a Martha Stewart with Avery prize pack valued around $25. Here’s a glimpse at some of the possible products:
(Note: The winner will NOT receive exactly what is shown in the image. It’s just a glimpse at what some of the product line looks like. The winner will receive a sampling of some of the products shown above to be determined by the company).
To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter widget below. Giveaway is open to US Residents, ages 18+ (void where prohibited). Good luck!
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In the meantime, you can print out this 40% off coupon for any one product from Martha Stewart with Avery Home Office line at Staples through September 30, 2013! Nice!
DisÂcloÂsure: I received the prodÂucts shown above for the purÂpose of review. All opinÂions and expeÂriÂences are entirely my own.
38 Responses
Nice! That looks awesome!!! Great job! We definitely need to do something like that at our house too
We need to organize the kids stuff-back to school and their activities, etc! 🙂
I showed this to my husband and he agrees it’s what we need to make our note/calendar area much more organized and efficient…thank you for such a clever idea!!!!
I just reorganized my pantry/laundry room. We have backpacks hooks and some Martha Stewart office items too!
Great idea! The pantry door is wasted space in my kitchen. I can’t wait to do this!
Oh, we need a command center/organization plan with all 3 of my boys in school now! This would be AMAZING!
I need to organize my computer area with labeled baskets, etc.
I need some baskets and other small containers to organize home supplies for my son’s new desk/craft table.
A Monday-Friday dry erase list would be fantastic.
Your command center turned out cute! I am still in the midst of getting mine completed but have utilized some martha stewart with avery products too!!! Looooove her line!
I need to create a more efficient command center for school.
I have THE biggest 1st grader..in kinder he grew 6 inches…so we have to get those clothes organized and make sure they all still fit..shoes included. 🙂
This is exactly what I need to be organized!
I always love to get a big calendar. Totally helpful.
I need baskets and bins to help organize all the needed supplies for homework
I just bought a second Expedite shelf from Ikea for my scrapbook room. I really need some baskets to finish up the organizing of the items that will go in the cubes.
Love this! I definitely need to do this in my kitchen and get my life organized!
I need to organize everything in my craft room!
I need to organize my filofax.
this looks so good! i need to get organized for school in a BIG way! love all the fun stuff from Martha
I need some organizing things for my crazy home 🙂
Love it! Researching “kitchen command centers” and your’s popped up first! Thanks for the ideas!
Ooh..really?! Thanks, Natasha! That’s exciting! 🙂
Always need more organizing!
I need to organize my own papers and supplies and then tackle back-to-school items.
I need to organize my bills better!
I LOVE these products! I have a few in my classroom and they are life savors for all the organization my classroom needs.
I need to get my kitchen organized!
I do not have a command center, and am trying like heck to organize my office better than it is now!! I love your chalkboard door!!
Although I have a smart phone I still like to use a planner…I a visual and hard copy type of gal. 😉
I’m chronically disorganized so I could use all the help I can get.
I need to do a menu board and routine check offs for all of us!
I need to organize a homework station for the kids.
I am unpacking so I need to organize my whole house before school starts.
I’m working on the final touches to our new command center, and I need to find a way to streamline paying bills and planning menus. I love the Martha Stewart bookplate labels and I’ve been considering the weekly dry-erase board for our dinner menu. 🙂
We definitely need a family calendar around here…to keep track of all the important appointments. 🙂
I need to organize my new Origami Owl business! This would be perfect.