Organization Project -- My Kitchen Command Station!!

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 link to 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!