Like so many of you, our kitchen is the hub of everything… meals, homework, schedules, mail, and all those random office supplies that never seem to have a home. We previously had a large bulletin board that served as a command center of sorts, but when we remodeled our kitchen, I wanted a more functional organizing solution that didn’t take over wall space.
Our solution? We created a hidden kitchen command center drawer that works just as hard but without adding any visual clutter.
Today I’m sharing the details on how we created our hidden kitchen command center along with other command center ideas that will help you create a functional organizing solution in your own home. (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})
Pick Your Spot With Purpose
When it comes to creating a hidden kitchen command center, where you put it is just as important as how you organize it. It’s tempting to choose any open drawer, add a few dividers, and call it done, but if the location doesn’t fit into your daily routine, it won’t function the way you need it to.
For us, I paid attention to where the “drop zone” naturally happened in our kitchen. Where did the mail land? Where did I reach for a pen? Where did the kids ask for tape or scissors? You also want to think about accessibility. This is a space you’ll likely use multiple times a day, so it should be easy to open, not blocked by stools or heavy traffic, and within arm’s reach of where you’re already working, whether that’s packing lunches, helping with homework, or jotting down a quick note.
Three Smart Placement Ideas
Option #1: A Strategically Located Drawer
For our hidden kitchen command center, I chose one of the drawers in our kitchen island since that’s the hub of our home and also right next to the door to our garage that we went in and out of each day:
As you can see, it’s actually a shallow drawer within a larger kitchen island drawer – something we added late in the planning of our kitchen remodel that I’m so glad we thought of. In case you’re wanting measurements to see how it compares to the size of drawers in your own home, the interior dimensions are 24.5″ wide x 19 ¾″ deep:
I chose Poppin organizers for our desk drawer that you can find online {here} and {here}. They come in three color options and include everything from trays and caddies to business card holders, staplers, and tape dispensers. Starting on the left side of the drawer, the main organizers are two of {these large accessory trays} that measure 13-¾″ x 9-⅞″:
The top tray holds file folders, and the tray below has one of {these divided organizer trays} nestled inside of it to corral coupons, stamps, hair bands, keys, paperclips, and more.
The middle of the drawer holds two of {these medium accessory trays} that hold pens, pencils, mini notebooks, and some office supplies:
On the right side of the drawer I have extra rolls of tape, post-it notes in {this acrylic holder}, {this stapler and tape dispenser} (I love this particular tape dispenser because it’s weighted so stays in place), and three of {these business card holders} (one with gift cards, one with local business cards, and a third with all other business cards):
Another good option for drawer organizers but at a more budget friendly price is a large set like {this one} that includes a variety of sizes to fit almost any size drawer. We used a similar set (unfortunately the exact one is no longer available) to organize this drawer in our home office:
Just be aware that most of these sets don’t include an organizer large enough for a full-size sheet of paper or file folders, so you might have to add in one of {these letter sized trays}.
You could also use bamboo organizers like {this expandable bamboo organizer set with adjustable dividers} that expand to fit the drawer, creating a custom fit:
Option #2: Behind a Cabinet Door
Using the back of a cabinet door is another great location for a hidden kitchen command center, especially if you can’t afford to lose the drawer space for one. Organizers that work well on the back of a cabinet door include clear caddies like {these} that attach to the back of your door with adhesive and Command spring clips like {these} to hold coupons, stamps, important papers, or letters to mail out:
You can also choose an all-in-one solution like {this Rev-a-Shelf mail organizer} that can hold paperwork, mail, keys, and more:
Option #3: Built Into Your Cabinets
Option #3 is for those of you who plan to remodel your kitchen now or in the future – consider integrating hidden storage into the sides of your new cabinets! For example, Diamond Cabinets have a base message center cabinet where the side panel of the base cabinet opens up to reveal this awesome hidden space:
Kraftmaid has a similar option with a message center built into the side of an upper cabinet {here} or into the side of a full-height cabinet {here}:
Command Center Organization Tips
Lastly, I wanted to share a few tips for getting your hidden kitchen command center organized! First off, start with a purge of everything you no longer need, like the 50 freebie pens you’ve been hanging onto or the coupons that expired months ago. And do you really need 500 rubber bands? Toss the junk and donate any usable extras.
For paperwork, develop a sorting system with file folders. I have a total of five file folders labeled with “To Do”, “Waiting” (things that I’m waiting for a response on like insurance claims), “Poss Returns” (receipts for things I’m not 100% sure I’m keeping), “Girls” (mostly things related to my daughters’ school like info on upcoming field trips, class schedules, etc.), and “Coupons”:
For items that you’re storing in your hidden command center, remember that sometimes the simplest organizing solutions are best! For example, we keep hairbands on one of {these 2″ binder rings} so they stay neatly organized yet are easy for the girls to grab on their way out the door to school or sports:
At the end of the day, your hidden kitchen command center drawer isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a system that works for YOU, making your everyday life just a little bit easier. Start with what you have, keep it functional, and tweak as needed over time.
Want to start organizing other areas of your home? Check out my post on home organization ideas with simple solutions for every room in your house.
XO,
Want to save this post?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Joanne Gassner says
I really liked ideas and wondered if you have any ideas for storing under Sind deep drawers where I put items such asking ip liquid and some spray cleaning bottles etc. I have 2drawers under the sink the top one has cit out for pipes so not a lot of space and as a result it is the drawer below which is full and difficult to find items. Length of both drawers 39 inches both drawers have a 5 inch rail on both sides.
Kathi Mendenhall says
This is a wonderful idea! I even have a drawer that will adapt wonderfully to the way you have done yours. Slapping head for not thinking about it. I will have to double up in a way with aluminum foil, but the drawer is sufficiently wide and deep for a redo in this fashion. Thank you.
Judy Crystal says
Can you please provide links for the white vases and white and wood cutting board in the last photo?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Judy! The white vases are from Target but unfortunately they no longer carry them. I found the round marble/wood cutting board here: https://rstyle.me/+2-QFXSOWaNzwma8asAcoew (affiliate link)
Dawn says
Love the idea of the two drawers
What is under the skinny drawer of office supplies?
Kris Jarrett says
Hi Dawn! The space right under the office supplies is where I store baking dishes and mixing bowls. You can see a peek of it in my cabinet storage ideas post here: https://www.drivenbydecor.com/kitchen-cabinet-storage-organization-ideas/
sandyg61 says
TY this is just what I’m looking for. We are retired now and downsizing. I will have an island with lots of drawers and I’m looking for ways to reduce everyday items that would otherwise be on my office desk but used by both of us.
Debra says
Kris, I had bookmarked this post when it was first published, knowing it would come in handy once a chest of drawers I had ordered finally arrived. I am so excited to implement this system. Thanks for these great ideas!
Patricia says
Kris, what a great idea. I have the same set up and never thought to put the Command center there. Thank you very much for sharing. BTW, it looks wonderful the drawer answer home.
Blessings, Patricia
Marilyn Scales says
That’s one heck of a a sophisticated junk drawer. Wish I were that organized.
Linda Fee says
INSPIRED to implement in my new kitchen design. Fabulous as always.
Merilyn Phillips says
Love your stationary drawer in the kitchen – a great idea.
As a stationary tragic I have containers of pencils, pens and bits & pieces everywhere along with little notepads and scrap paper – I need help!
Lyndsey says
I just found your page…can we be best friends?!?
Karen W says
That drawer sparked all kinds of joy for me!! ????
Karen Bunch says
I absolutely love the drawers and the way they’re organized. I read in someone’s post recently about getting rid of all of the logo pens that turn up in our pen holders. It makes a difference. I truly have a few favorite brands and have purchased enough now to be rid of the cheaper logo freebies. What a clever drawer configuration. Thanks for the inspiration. I’ve started spring cleaning/organizing a little early and it’s always fun to get inspired by someone’s tried/true methods.
xo,
Karen
RW says
Ty for this idea. I am not ready for a kitchen job yet, but I can put the idea to work in my four top island drawers — three of them are ridiculous. I have two with hardware bits ( junk drawers so full we inch them open and slip a screw inside) and one with miscellaneous small collections of rubber bands and flower tubes and … I guess I haven’t bothered because I had not identified a use. The fourth holds a useable, functional set of supplements. It used to be junk, too!
About meal planning, since you are not having good results with the notebook you have selected…
I encourage anyone to move on to another system now if its not working in a few weeks. I have tried for decades to find a meal planning system and routines that work for myself. IME, if it is going to work, I have found out very quickly.
I suffer badly from “out of sight, out of mind” syndrome. So a closed notebook or calendar doesn’t work, and while I love the colored filled folders and do use similar for many other papers, for some things I’ve found that clear vinyl file folders or open baskets (my coupons and sales flyers) prevent that problem. Or flat laminated charts. On those, I add post-its.
In fact that’s the only system for menus I’ve found thru the years that worked for me. Why I abandoned it, I’ll never figured out! Entrees were written onto post it notes and categorized by color. A calendar chart of two weeks, laminated —
so easy to select post-its from my stash and fill in the calendar. But more importantly, I could change my mind through the week and swap meals very easily. Juggle!
It did create visual clutter on my fridge. Plenty of room in your stack of files for me to create a fold-out double-sized menu chart. And keep the extra inventory of meal post-its in something like that little notebook. Hope this helps someone reading in the same boat.
My fridge and surfaces thank you!
Mary says
Kris…. I love all your creative ideas. Plus the knowledge you share ie… paint colors and furniture. Sure wish you were in Ohio to help me personally!
Keep up the great work!
Thank you,
Mary