Organize your Family Life with a Home Message Centre

Have you ever missed an appointment, forgotten a permission slip, or struggled to keep track of everyone’s schedules? You’re not alone. Most of us are visual beings—if it’s not in front of us, we tend to forget it. That’s where a message centre (or command centre) comes in.

A message center is a dedicated space in your home where you can organize reminders, schedules, notes, and important paperwork—all in one spot. Whether you live alone or have a busy household, having a central hub brings:

• • Clarity—everything is visible at a glance

• • Ease—less scrambling, more calm

• • Less clutter—no more lost forms or misplaced reminders

Think of it as the heart of your home’s organization system. It can be a family scheduling board. Begin with choosing the right spot

Choosing the Right Spot

The best message centers are accessible and visible. Pick a spot where your family naturally passes by—so everyone actually sees it and uses it. Popular choices include:

• • Entryways—great for grabbing notes before heading out

• • Kitchens—the busiest room in most homes

• • Hallways—an underused space with plenty of potential

• • Inside cabinets—a hidden yet functional option

The key is to choose a location that makes sense for your family’s flow.

Message Centre Ideas & Layout Types

You can keep your setup simple or go all out—it’s totally up to you. Here are a few fun ideas:

• • Pin-up boards—perfect for notes, reminders, and cute doodles

• • Whiteboards or chalkboards—great for daily updates or meal plans

• • Magnetic boards—stick schedules, invitations, or lists in seconds

• • Clipboards—organize multiple lists or forms neatly

• • Drop zones—add baskets, hooks, and pen holders to store mail, keys, or school papers

Get creative and design a layout that works for your family’s needs and style. you can just buy or make it as you wish

Make or Buy

You don’t need an expensive setup to get organized. You can:

• • Buy ready-made boards—chalkboards, pin-up boards, whiteboards, and magnetic boards are easy to find

• • DIY  message centre or command center—if you love crafting, build your own using tutorials like HGTV’s or This Old House’s guide to creating a custom chalkboard frame

Sometimes, the best solutions are a mix of both—a few store-bought essentials paired with personal, DIY touches.

Maintenance Tips

A message center is only helpful if it stays organized. To avoid turning it into another clutter zone, use these simple organization hacks

• • Remove outdated notes and papers regularly

• • Schedule a monthly mini-declutter session

• • Keep pens, markers, and pins in a small container nearby

• • Encourage everyone to use and update the board
    

Remember, the goal is to simplify your life, not create another thing to manage.

Visual Inspiration

Make your command center fun and interactive:

• • Add mood-board images for style inspiration

• • Include family sketches or drawings for a personal touch

• • Use colorful sticky notes for reminders

• • Write thoughtful notes to your kids—a simple handwritten “Good luck on your test!” can make their day

Phones are handy, but there’s something special about a visible, tangible reminder that keeps everyone connected.

Your Turn!

Do you have a message centre or command centre at home?

• • What works best for you?

• • Do you prefer simple boards or elaborate setups?

Share your ideas, photos, or tips in the comments—I’d love to see how you’ve made this work in your home!

And don’t forget to pin this post for later inspiration.