Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

  • Shop Our Houses
    • Our Current House
    • Our Richmond House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
  • Before & Afters
    • Our Current House
    • Our Previous House
    • Our Beach House
    • Our Duplex
    • Our First House
    • Our Second House
    • Our Showhouse
  • DIY & Decorating Tips
    • Most Popular
    • Home Improvement
    • Painting
    • Cleaning & Organizing
    • Crafting & Art
    • More . . .
  • Painting Projects
  • Plants Guides
  • Shop
    • Our Fav Home Finds
    • Our Lighting Line
    • Our Books
    • Book Club Picks
    • Black-Owned Businesses

Young House Love » Our Third House » How To Make A Magnet Board

| By Sherry Petersik | March 25, 2014 | 291 Comments

How To Make A Magnet Board

Let me tell you a tale of a girl who used to be organized, oh…. about four years ago. Since Clara came along, well, it has been a slippery slope. I’ve kept notes to myself in various notebooks, on my phone, on post its, and have scribbled in every square inch of my day planner. I’m almost never sure what I need to do next since there are so many active lists competing for my attention these days. So when John and I were asking ourselves what our home office needs to make it as functional as possible, it was about two seconds before I was pulling a Mary Katherine Gallagher and jumping around and throwing my arms in the air and shouting “command center!”

Yes, my friends, it was even more urgent to this nesting pregnant lady than painting those office walls. Although we realized as we were nailing into them to hang things that it’s sort of an accidentally genius move to hang art before painting because if you make a few bad nail holes you can just spackle them before you paint the whole room, so that’s a nice perk.

Boards Final1

We thought this wall was perfect since it would be visible from within the office, but our scribbles would be out of sight from the foyer. And we both agreed that we needed a place to write things that had to be done across multiple categories like “projects”, “house maintenance”, “showhouse/book 2 stuff”, “future post ideas”, “website to-do”, etc. We just knew there had to be a better way than having different lists of each of those things floating around randomly (the website one just fell behind the couch, by the way).

Not only did I dream of having them all in one place in an easy to reference spot for both of us – most of all I dreamed of having a column for “top tasks” so we could lift tasks out of each of those other columns and place in there by order of priority. This will hopefully keep us from bouncing around randomly without really weighing what makes the most sense for us to tackle next.

Magnets Detail

While we were dreaming, we also wanted a place to work out our upcoming post schedule where we both could see it (so we can see which giveaways are lined up, what posts we’re planning to write up next, etc). We also wanted a smaller spot to jot down what we need to buy/get the next time we’re out (we’re always forgetting random things like new oil-rubbed bronze window locks for the freshly painted office windows).

John and I weighed a ton of options for meeting all of those needs, like: one big dry erase board, one big cork board, using dry erase paint right on the wall, going the chalkboard route, using magnetic paint to hold up small pieces of paper in a grid that we could move and shift, etc. In the end we settled on sort of a hybrid solution. We decided to make two big magnetic frames so we could use smaller dry erase magnets (which we could write on and shift around) to create a multi-column to-do list and a post-planning schedule. We even snuck a “To Buy/Get” list in there on a smaller frame while working in some sweet Clara art, a quote that makes us laugh from our last office, and a favorite family picture.

Boards Final2

First we planned the arrangement with some old frames. We continued to shift things around a little after this photo was taken, but you get the idea:

Frame Planning

Next we ordered some white dry erase magnets from this site. John found them and I was instantly on board because I love that they’re not small/swallowable magnets (which make my paranoid-mom-heart skip a beat) and also because we can write directly on them and move them around. So placing them in a “projects” column, then moving them to the “top task” column, and even popping them over to our post schedule board if they’re done/shot/written/ready to be scheduled would be nice and simple.

We also hit up Home Depot to see what they had in the “sheets of metal” category. There were some other sheet metal options on an end cap, but we bought a magnet with us just to be sure they were magnetic and they weren’t. Kinda threw us for a loop until we saw these panels hiding in a completely different aisle. And thankfully, these guys were magnetic.

Buying Steel For Boards

We ended up getting two of them that were big enough to fill our frames (they came in a bunch of different sizes, and thankfully were pretty easy to cut at home with gloves and a metal snip). Here are my supplies all laid out:

Steel Cut1

First I removed the glass from the frame along with the backing and laid just the wood part of the frame over the sheet metal and used a red sharpie to trace the rectangle that I’d need to cut out.

Steel Cut2

Then I just slipped on my gloves and started cutting with the metal snip. It took a little while since it makes such small cuts, but it was pretty straightforward and I was left with two metal inserts for my frames in about fifteen minutes.

Steel Cut3

Here’s one slipped into the frame, with the backing holding it in place. It was pretty exciting to test drive a few of the dry erase magnets up there. #yolo

Steel In Frame

After I made sure both pieces of metal fit into the frames, John and I chatted about what colors we thought would be nice for the metal and the frames, and decided to draw inspiration from our new desk. And so the idea for a mixture of frames in a soft champagne color, a pearly metallic white, and a flat basic white was born. We had all of these guys in the garage already, so I was ready to rumble.

Spray Paint

First I used clean metal primer on both of the sheets of metal we bought, just because I thought it would be a nice uniform look to spray those to match their frames. We figured with all those white magnets on them, things could get busy, so keeping the frames and backgrounds uniform might be a nice touch.

Priming Steel

Next I sprayed the frames themselves. This is the pearl mist going on a few of the frames and one of the primed sheet metal pieces (you can see the champagne mist ones drying in the background). I left these outside to dry so long that a rogue leaf landed in the middle of that smaller frame (thankfully it was completely dry by then).

Spray Painting

It took about four thin coats of spray paint to get things nice and even, but in the end it’s a really clean look to have the metal sheets and the frame the same color. I even used a little bit of washi tape on the end of the magnetic headers for each category to set them apart along the top of the board.

Magnet Org

Oh office supplies, why are you so adorable?

Washi Tape Magnets

To make our “To Buy/To Get” board, I used a smaller frame with some slightly metallic linen-like fabric slipped that into the frame behind the glass. A black dry erase marker makes it easy to write on the glass, and we just shoot a picture of the list whenever we’re running out for errands so I can remember everything instead of muttering “where’s that list?” followed by some endless purse-searching.

Frame Whiteboard

Here’s a closer shot of the post planning board, which got the pearl paint treatment, and some gold and yellow washi tape along those header and side labels. We don’t usually work very far out for posts (we share a lot of stuff within a week of doing it) but it’s already coming in handy for jotting down future ideas, giveaways that have been scheduled, etc.

Boards Closer

So that’s how our little command center came to be. I’d really love to upgrade some of the frames eventually (the one with Clara’s painting in it needs a larger mat for example) but for now I’m feeling around 95% more organized. If only I could fit my massive belly behind the couch to retrieve that old website to-do list…

Boards Final1

Might have to send Burger in for it. And by that I mean “somehow convince him the list is made of food so he cares enough to retrieve it.”

How do you guys stay organized? Do you have a big family calendar that hangs in your kitchen? We debated doing a calendar board as well, but like using my planner to write down meetings, appointments, parties, etc – so we thought keeping that in there but all the project/home maintenance/book/showhouse/post stuff on the wall would be a good combination. We’ll have to see how it goes…

Update: For anyone wondering what the octopus print says, where we got it, or where the file cabinet is from, that info is all on the first page of comments for ya.

More posts from Young House Love

Filed Under: Cleaning, Organizing, & Eco, Our Third House

How To DIY Ardex Concrete Counters
Fab Freebie: Stealing Home

Comments

  1. Dawn Ryden says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:43 am

    HI – I LOVE THIS IDEA…..but I have to say I am more obsessed with the octopus picture above it – can you do a zoom in on that????

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 11:47 am

      Here’s that old post for ya (with a much closer pic): https://www.younghouselove.com/2012/01/what-santa-brought-us/

      xo
      s

  2. Jen @ The Decor Scene says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:44 am

    WOW I wish I was this organized…oh wait I’m not organized at all. I used to be but fell off the organizing band wagon. lol. Maybe one day when I redo my office at home I can be organized again because I don’t have any place else in the house to make a command center (big or small). Thanks for the inspiration. :)

    Reply
  3. Jace says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:45 am

    Ooh I love the magnetic board idea!! I wish you had painted it that pretty dark blue though!! The contrast would’ve been so pretty!

    Reply
  4. HeatherM says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:50 am

    I am a HUGE fan of shared electronic shopping (and to-do) lists for several reasons: 1) I never leave home without my phone so I never leave home without my list, 2) I can add things to the list when I’m not home, and 3) when I am awake in the middle of the night and running through my mental to-do list, I can grab my phone, add it to the list, and forget about it.

    We use the list-sharing app Cozi. It allows everyone in the family to add to and edit both shopping lists and to-do lists. I love that my hubby can add to the list too. Now that I’m very pregnant I also often ask him to do more shopping, and this way he always has the list too. I love that I can create sub-topics in Cozi lists, so I organize my grocery list by produce, dairy, canned goods, frozen foods, toiletries, etc- this makes grocery shopping go a LOT faster, and I’m not running back and forth across the store and then throwing unnecessary extras in my cart along the way. I keep several other lists for stores I visit less often, like Home Depot, ikea, target, etc. My approach is the more I can get things out of my head and onto a list, the more mental space I have to think about and enjoy my job and my time with my family.

    Reply
  5. Amy says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:52 am

    Love, love, love this!!

    Reply
  6. nichole says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Looks great!! our family uses an app called “Cozi”. it has sections for to-do lists, shopping lists and calendar. it’s all on a shared account so everyone can see and add to it. it will also give you reminders on your phone if you want. which I absolutely need! I’m the same way – if i don’t write it down I forget it!

    PS I also thought one magnet said “shoot mice” at first LOL double take on that one! :-)

    Reply
  7. Melissa says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Off topic comment but I have been seeing a bunch of painted brick homes and I think it’s something you should consider! It would make the exterior feel less dated and more youthful!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 11:58 am

      Thanks Melissa! In Richmond unpainted brick is more sought after since it’s really low maintenance (which we have really appreciated in our past houses as well) but we do love the looks of a painted house!

      xo
      s

  8. Kim says

    March 25, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Was the “overdue” in this post a subtle reference to Katie Bower? #whysocreepykim

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      Haha! Could be…

      xo
      s

  9. Melissa@TheChicDream says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    Aren’t lists great?! The command center is awesome. You guys needed that. Y’all are hella busy! I am in the process of putting one together for our family right now. We don’t use our office as much as you guys so ours will be in our kitchen. I need to see it every day. But that gives me an excuse to make it pretty!

    Reply
  10. janice says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    Love the command center! I use my phone for lists, tasks, etc. Although a visual would be nice, I really can’t part with space in the house. So I use evernote and an app appropriately titled ‘task list’. just started using but so far is GREAT.

    Reply
  11. ryan says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    Gotta say I LOVE this magnet whiteboard idea!

    Since you asked in your closing, I use the Wunderlist app to organize my “to get/buy” stuff and other “non-critical but still good ideas” type lists. Wunderlist has a star feature to move an item to the top of the list, so I can write everything I’d like to get someday on my buy at Target list, but only star what I’m getting today. Followed by checking the items off on the list as I get them. I also like that it’s accessible on my phone, ipad, or online so I can always keep it up-to-date. Last, I’ve heard of families using the same logon info to update the list so everyone’s looking at the same list – genius! That way your husband who’s dropping by the store knows to get the milk you starred and added to the list already. The only thing I don’t love is the alarm feature, which isn’t clear enough if you don’t do the task right then, so for my more critical tasks I’m trying the OmniFocus app, which has a better alarm so far.

    OK app review overkill, but it works for me and I loooove organization : )

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:12 pm

      Thanks for all the app info guys! So helpful!

      xo
      s

  12. Emily @ Life on Food says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    My ultra organized self is doing a very happy dance. I love it. Where did you get the white filing cabinet?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:13 pm

      It’s the Effektiv cabinet from ikea but they don’t make it anymore. Boo!

      xo
      s

  13. Jennifer I says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    I painted one wall of my kitchen with chalk board paint. A large calendar for my two boys is on there. All school and kid related activities go up there — I am working on my seven and soon to be nine year looking at it each day to make sure that they have what they need for school as they are too young for phones yet. My husband and I have a calendar app we share on our phones, we automatically get each other’s updates. I have another generic list app on my phone — I put in dimensions of a space for a dresser I am looking for, groceries, etc. I will also use the chalk board wall for groceries and take a picture of the list, like you are doing with the wallboard! I have struggled for for years with organization — this works!

    Reply
  14. Maggie says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    Oh man, I have felt SO disorganized since we moved states last summer (in the midst of wedding planning, no less). And I run my own business too, so letting things slip isn’t good, but of course getting work done always seems to trump “organizing day” around here. I do have an ongoing “house projects” whiteboard but I think I need a big one for work projects. Luckily my husband takes care of the grocery shopping (and if I think of something mid-week I stick a post-it on his computer).

    Reply
  15. Carolyn B says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    Love all of your organization! Looks great! :) I also just wanted to say that I got my new YHL skeleton key today and I can’t wait to hang it up!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Wahoo! No way! It’s so crazy that they’re out in the world.

      xo
      s

  16. WebSavvyMom.com says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    –>My husband I swear by the free app Our Groceries that allows us to create multiply shopping lists (Grocery, Costco, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, etc.) and automatically syncs between our smart phones. When I’m in the store, I just tap what I’ve purchased and it’s off the list. We even have a list for Our Wishlist which comes in handy when a birthday is approaching or mother’s day.

    I love how the office is coming along!
    Deb

    Reply
  17. Krissy says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    I love your system! We have 3 calendars: 1 is with family pictures, like the ones you make each year, and I really only use it because I like the pictures – no writing. The second is a cheap one that we bought at the store, it’s got cattle dogs on it… I write doctor/vet appointments and other things that we get told far enough in advance that it’s a month out or farther. My sister made me one of those with paint chips that were really popular on pinterest for a while. It’s behind a frame, so I can use dry-erase markers on it. That one is month-by-month. There really isn’t a specific purpose since we have other calendars, it’s just for show (it also still says “December” on it – whoops).

    And then! On one side of the fridge, we have a little white board where we list things we need to buy, similar to yours. On the other side of the fridge, we have a little one-week calendar thing… also a white board. On there, we plan out our dinners for the week. Nathan got tired of eating the same 3 things every week, so we plan together on the weekend so we’re both happy with the week’s menu, and it helps us make sure everything we need to buy is on the white board on the other list.

    Some of our items are superfluous because of others, but it’s a system that works. :)

    Reply
  18. Lauren says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    I love that little zebra dish. Where’s it from, if you remember?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      That’s Jonathan Adler :)

      xo
      s

  19. Jill says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    I am certain, ” It was pretty exciting to test drive a few of the dry erase magnets up there. #yolo” is the best thing I am going to read today.

    Reply
  20. Sam says

    March 25, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    Nice work guys! I’m wondering why you didn’t paint first? Work smarter, not harder, right? Also isn’t having 3 fiddle leaf plants in one room a little excessive? Just wondering about your thought process.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:02 pm

      You can check out the second paragraph for why we didn’t paint first. As for the fiddle leaf fig it’s just there for now but this room is about 10% done so I’m sure a lot of things will shift as we go.

      xo
      s

  21. Amanda says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    I just recently made my own kitchen command center and just love it! I also made a magnet board but I covered an ikea magnet board with fabric. My blog post about it is here…

    http://oldhousetonewhome.blogspot.com/2014/03/kitchen-update-before-and-after.html

    Thanks for all your great ideas!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:07 pm

      Love that!

      xo
      s

  22. jessica says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    Love the command center. I would love to get this organized.
    Instead of a bigger mat for Clara’s masterpiece what about putting pretty fabric or wrapping paper in the back of the frame and mounting the picture on top?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 1:59 pm

      That’s a fun idea!

      xo
      s

  23. Bailey says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Brilliant organizational strategy!

    Reply
  24. Haley says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    Pregnancy/Mommy brain is real! I can’t even tell you how many post-it notes are in my workbag and clutch for me to remember things.

    We use Evernote… you can just write a quick note and then you can access it from any of your devices. VERY helpful for this forgetful mommy

    Reply
  25. Liz says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    This is super nerdy but I thought it was funny that you’ve basically created a scrum board – a tool used in agile software development.

    If you are ever interested in getting digital there is a great online option (www.trello.com) that allows you to make digital cards where you can attach photos, links, checklists etc. In our office we keep it up on a touch screen projector to keep everyone on track with tasks.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      So funny! And the name scrum board made me laugh.

      xo
      s

  26. Alycia Isaacson says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    Super cute! My husband and I stay organized by…..well…ok I lied we don’t stay organized….like….at all haha. This is a great idea though and super easy with the supplies I already have hoarded away for all of those amazing projects in my head ;) We rent and have a really small bedroom, disaster of an office and a nice size living room. Bedroom and living room stay nice and clean but it’s only because all of our extra crap goes in our “office”. Great ideas I think it’s time for some organization!

    Reply
  27. Heidi says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Oh my goodness!! LOVE the magnetic list board!! Brilliant idea! I just might need to wander around our house this afternoon to figure out what wall I could use for something like this…. Sounds must more exciting than scrubbing furnace room floors which is what I really need to do :-)

    Reply
  28. Lindsay L. says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    I know some people like having the physical lists out I used to be like that, still am sometimes. But my husband has converted me to electronic. He found an awesome website/app called Trello to keep track of lists. You and your husband can share the lists but each on your own phone. You can have different “boards” and different lists within the boards. For example, we have a House To Do board and within that board all of the rooms as “lists” and then checklists within that. We also keep our grocery list on there too. He can add stuff, I can add stuff and we always have it with if we decide on an impromptu trip to the store. And my favorite, you can check them off with little check boxes when you’re done (very important). It archives everything so if you need to look back on all that you accomplished in a month or a year it is easy to do. I LOVE it!

    Reply
  29. JennieM says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    Ok…the list written on glass and then taking a photo – Pure Genius!

    Reply
  30. Renee says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    How much did the sheet of metal cost? Do you know if Lowes/Home Depot would cut it for you (like they do with wood)?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      I think each of the sheets we got were $14.99 (there were bigger ones for more and smaller ones for less). Not sure if they’d cut them for you though!

      xo

    • Koliti says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:50 pm

      For future sheet metal needs, maybe there’s a sheet metal fabricator in your city. I have one in Tucson and they’ll cut any size for very resonable prices. For example: I had them cut a piece to fit inside my kitchen cabinet door to use as a magnet board – 16″width x 23″length for $5.00. I gave them dimensions to make a shallow tray 4″deep x 40″wide x 1/2″height for plants on my kitchen window sill where they folded over the raw edges and soldered the seams for $12.50. They’ve also made a 3-sided 2″ tall tray that fit the bottom of my bathroom cabinet for when I had the cat litter box there – the price was reasonable and where else could I get a custom tray like that?

      It’s certainly a great resource to have and you would be supporting a local business – I love to think of projects where I’ll say, “Hey I wonder if Bill the Sheet Metal Guy can make this?” Take your measurements and tell them what your idea is – I’m telling you – LOVE!!!

      Sherry, maybe your Show House Construction Crew can tell you who they like in Richmond.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 6:01 pm

      Amazing tip! Thanks so much for sharing!

      xo
      s

  31. Sam says

    March 25, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    I love how you don’t publish my comment. Keeping it real, huh?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:24 pm

      We’re running around doing showhouse stuff, so we came back to 45 comments pending. Getting through them now, but yours is up!

      xo
      s

  32. E J L says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Oh gosh, THANK THE LAWD I saw this today.

    I’ve been hemming and hawing over every detail in what was supposed to be a very, very simple office redo. I felt like the room was lacking a focal point- a “brain center” to easily and quickly organize tasks.

    Thank you for this idea. I’m pretty sure my version is going to look like a sight-challenged person did it.

    (P.S. Looking forward to checking out your collection at Target. I’m sure you hear this all the time, but you make home improvement seem possible. Not easy, but POSSIBLE, which, in my opinion, is far more of a value-add for anyone’s psyche.)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm

      Thanks so much E J L!

      xo
      s

  33. Ginny says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    I totally agree with you… magnets+kids freak me out! Love the ones you found!

    Reply
  34. Leigh says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    I love your new boards!!! That is such a smart idea! My hubby works from home and is constantly asking me to help him keep organized but seeing how we have a not quite 3 year old and I am 25 weeks pregnant, I barely remember my name most days! Maybe a smaller scale version would work for his work stuff and then we can have one for household things. Now my brain is working overtime…

    On another organizing note, have you done (or considered doing) a post on what you do with all of Clara’s artwork and preschool work? I have a pile of things for my son that I want to keep, I just have no idea how to store it or what to do with it, so it remains in a pile.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:10 pm

      I have a bulletin board for Clara art (which I’d love to make bigger during our office redo) as well as a box for the other stuff and then we go through it and she usually only likes a few things and doesn’t want the rest. I have a hard time parting with anything so a phone app called ArtKive (I think that’s the spelling) is nice for taking photos of everything. I’d love to get a photo book of Clara art someday!

      xo
      s

  35. Pam the Goatherd says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    Our family has always had one of those huge year-at-a-glance calendars hanging in our kitchen to keep track of events and deadlines that we need to remember. Hubby and I also keep individual pocket planners (we don’t “do” technology) with us at all times. At the end of each day we put the stuff we’ve written in the pocket planners onto the main calendar. Our family motto seems to be “If it’s not on the big calendar it doesn’t get done”.
    I also have a weekly calendar that I created on my computer where I have my daily tasks listed to be crossed off and empty boxes for writing in things that aren’t on the regular schedule that need to be done. I have space at the bottom of that page to write in short-term and longer-term projects that I need to accomplish. I print out the schedule on Monday of each week and write in the special projects with steps I need to take each day. Anything that carries over from one week to the next gets transferred from the previous week’s list to the current week’s list at that time.
    My husband is running for elected office so he has a separate calendar of his own that lists all of the places he is supposed to be for his campaign. If it involves me it also goes on the Big Calendar so I know that I’m supposed to attend. Otherwise I don’t pay a lot of attention to the specifics of where he is going. I do, however, ask him each morning where he will be that day and when he wants me to have dinner ready that night. We have a rule that we ALWAYS have dinner together unless one of us is out of town overnight even if it means we usually eat dinner at about 10 p.m.
    This system has been working for us for 20 years now.

    Reply
  36. Mel says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    From one organizational nerd to another, I am totally in love with this command center. I have been trying to come up with something that I can stick with to keep my family of 4 very active people on track. This is genius.

    You never stop amazing me. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  37. Kati says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    Is your ceiling butter colored? The top photo makes me think so!

    Everywhere I’ve ever lived, we’ve had popcorn ceilings! Is that just a Florida thing I wonder?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Oh yes, painting the ceilings and walls are on the list! It’s sort of a faded yellow tone but it’s not textured (our houses in haven’t had those, so maybe it’s regional?).

      xo
      s

  38. Pam the Goatherd says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    I forgot to tell about our storelist remembery system:
    Our kitchen door is steel so magnets stick to it. I have a big clip with a magnet on the back of it stuck to the door with a piece of paper and an envelope in the clip and a pen in another clip next to it. When I think of something we need to buy I go to the list and write it down. When I find coupons for stuff that we use regularly I put them in the envelope with the list. When I have a coupon for something on the storelist I then put a (C) next to that item so that I know I have a coupon for it and don’t forget to use the coupon when I’m at the store.
    Since the list is right there on the door that I go out of to get to the car I am reminded to grab the list when I am heading out the door to go shopping. Simple and effective!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 2:17 pm

      Sounds really smart!

      xo
      s

  39. Kara says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    Love, love, love. I am feeling really inspired to make my own magnetic board! How much were the sheets you bought at HD?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      I think the size we got were $14.99 (there were bigger/smaller ones that we’re less/more too).

      xo
      s

  40. Toni says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:53 pm

    I had the same problem tracking down sheet metal for a kitchen project– I was directed to the metal flashing stuff, which isn’t magnetic, and finally stumbled upon the same kind of display you found. Success! I also brought a magnet (FYI, small typo up there: you brought, not bought, a magnet along).

    My kitchen project was to install two cut-to-size pieces of sheet metal to the inside of our cabinets. We spray painted them brown before using Liquid Nails and giant clamps to secure them to the cabinet door. One we covered with Kraft paper and the other a decorative paper, each held in place with magnets. It’s perfect for storing our bottle opener (safer than the side of the fridge where little hands found it), a list of school lunch ideas, frequently-used recipes jotted on scrap paper and clipped with a binder clip that’s stuck to a magnet (much easier than keeping the cookbook out), and even little notes written directly on the Kraft paper: frequent conversions, for example. I highly recommend this project!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      So smart!

      xo
      s

  41. Kaija says

    March 25, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    Thank you for the tips! Especially the one with “hang first, paint second” one! I’m painting (still :( ) and adding a gallery wall and an organization wall, so that was timely! Making the magnetic boards from picture frames and painting them is genius too! Just what I needed!

    Can’t wait to see how the office has come together!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:41 pm

      Good luck and happy hanging!

      xo
      s

  42. Elizabeth says

    March 25, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    Forgive me if this has been asked before, but do you know whether fiddle fig leaf plants are dangerous for dogs? I had always thought they were, but I noticed you guys have several. Are they perfectly fine for dogs, or are they just too high for Burger to reach and therefore they pose him no threat? Thanks!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      I hear they are, so if you have a dog that digs or eats leaves I’d definitely avoid them. Burger is such a diva he won’t even eat certain dog treats, so he’s just not into leaves :)

      xo
      s

  43. Denise says

    March 25, 2014 at 3:22 pm

    UPS just delivered my order from Target and I can’t wait to hang them up and start using them. They are really nice and much larger than I expected — that’s a good thing!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Wahoooo!

      xo
      s

  44. Lesley says

    March 25, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    It’s so funny, after watching Pushing Tin, where they use magnetic placards for each flight to order them for take off and landing, I’ve been thinking there has to be a way to manage myself like an air traffic control tower.

    This is perfect and allows re-prioritization on the fly. I am in for the new house! I just need to figure out location….

    Reply
  45. Karin says

    March 25, 2014 at 4:14 pm

    Bahahaha! How do I stay organized? Not at all! But now I finally have some really good ideas where to start – thanks to you guys!

    Reply
  46. Denise says

    March 25, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    UPS arrived today with my package from Target and I just noticed I ordered the same ones that you have on the sidebar. They are much bigger than I thought which is a very nice surprise, I can’t wait to hang them up and start using them.

    Reply
  47. Koliti says

    March 25, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Love your stylish magnetic frames! I like how all of the components are re-arrangeable and re-useable.

    I imagine the trees in your yard saying, “Hey, if I can get a leaf in the large frame I get 50 points, but if I can get a leaf in the small frame then I get 100 points.” No points for a leaf on the metal sheet.

    Tell Burger that there’s “Bacon” on that list behind the couch and POOF! no more list behind the couch :)

    Sherry, happy belated birthday! I believe we share the same date – March 19th. That’s right – we are weird & wonderful Pisces chicks!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Haha, thanks Koliti! Happy late birthday to you too!

      xo
      s

  48. Erin Caylor says

    March 25, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    I just recently made something like this too! http://www.upsideofchaos.com/2014/02/agilescrum-board.html

    We’re using our as accountability with each other on getting tasks done and being able to see where we are on a project. I love how you laid yours out!

    Erin

    Reply
  49. Martine says

    March 25, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Just want to tell you that you guys are amazing! I’m from Canada and I’ve been reading your blog for years. I hope Target will carry you merchandise in Canada, otherwise I’ll be making sure to cross the border to get my hands on one of your product.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      March 25, 2014 at 5:59 pm

      Thanks so much Martine!

      xo
      s

  50. Sherri says

    March 25, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    My husband and I use an app called out of milk. We can reach add items to the “to buy” list & it automatically syncs them. So helpful! Love the moveable magnets!

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
*This site contains ads and affiliate links*
See our disclaimer & privacy policy to learn more

Latest Finds

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

SHOP OUR LIGHTING

Young House Love Shades Of Light Capiz Chandelier

GET POSTS BY EMAIL

We’re Digging

Traditional Rug
The “Magic” Rug
Smokeless Solo Stove Firepit
Smokeless Firepit
Outdoor Solar LED Path Lights
Solar Path Lights
Criss Cross Office Chair
Our Desk Chair
Blue Air 211 Air Purifier
Our Air Purifiers
Eufy 11S Max Robot Vacuum
Our Robot Vacuum
Kohler Memoirs Toilet
Our Favorite Toilet
Livable Luxe Book
Fav Design Book
SEE MORE OF OUR FAVORITE FINDS > >

  • About
  • FAQs
  • Press
  • Contact
  • :)

© 2025 Young House Love ® · Disclaimer · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · A Fun Wordpress theme on Genesis Framework · Hosted by Liquid Web