Getting Organized : DIY Toddler Command Center

I have loved seeing all the great family "command centers" out there in blogland this fall. Someday I'll make a fabulous one of my own. But I'm starting small. Instead of for our whole family, I wanted to create a command center  for my preschooler. It was simple, easy and cheap - I spent less than $20 on the whole project! Here's how I made a little corner of organization in my 3 year-old's world.

First I cleared out some junk stuff from my daughter's room. I put these drawers in her closet and that left a little corner that was perfect for her command center. 

You should know, I'm renting. Holly introduced me to the amazing 3M Command Strips. Let me just say that before they came into my life I missed them so bad. I missed them so, so bad.

I got these cute Vintage Teal Hooksand Picture-Hanging Stripsat Home Depot. The cute mini clipboards are from Wal-Mart (and they're now on clearance for only .50!)

Once I laid out everything to see how I wanted it, I used the laser level (thanks, hon!) to get everything straight and the started attaching the 3M strips. I love that I don't have to worry about nail holes when we move out!

Perfect place to hang coats, backpacks and purses at the end of the day!

My daughter's shoes were already being kept in this "shoe bin" - a canvas tote box from Target. I added a little ribbon (with hot glue, of course) to match the color scheme.

I love having a bin for her shoes because it's so easy for her to put on and put away her shoes. 

Especially "rainbow shoes" which in 3-year-old means one of each color.

Next up is this little chair. It was an easy update with 3 coats of Rust-Oleum Multi-Purpose Spray Paint in Berry Pink.

No room makeover is complete until you cover some pillows! I got this pillow form for under $4 and then used leftover fabric from my daughter's easel to make an envelope pillow cover. I am SO new to sewing and this was seriously so simple! I used this tutorial from the cute girls over at Six Sister's Stuff.

"In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be..."

Now... the bones are there, but I knew I wanted a little more order to the corner. You can put so many things in those little clipboards - pictures, child's artwork, chore charts. I made a simple "What to Expect" page. There is a place to write in the day of the week and what is going on that day. My daughter is beginning to have more going on in her busy little 3-year-old life, and I wanted to start talking to her about what to expect on certain days.

You can download and print your own What to Expect charts, too!

What to Expect - Teal/Pink

What to Expect - Gray/Black

Each morning and night when she gets dressed/un-dressed we can now take a few minutes to talk about her day and what's coming next! It's so simple but it's all a preschooler needs!

{You can simply laminate the pages so make them dry-erase friendly, or for the cheaper method, use a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet protector and sew up one side to make it fit! Then just trim off all the extra plastic!}

All done! I have loved having more organization in my daughter's room. She is starting to look forward to the little routines that this command center corner has created!

It goes perfectly with her little Art Easel we made over!

Here's to a great weekend!

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