Project by My Thrifty Life by Cassie Fairy, Photography by Andy Greenacre
Want to keep track of your keys, post, shopping list and more? A ‘command centre’ is the ideal place to stow those by-the-door essentials so that you can make quick notes and grab-and-go. However, if you’re renting a property, you often can’t attach shelves and cupboards to the walls so, in order to ensure that your rental deposit isn’t affected, we’ve come up with a command centre that hangs on the wall just like a picture frame.
Most tenancy rules will allow pictures to be hung on the wall, although you should check your contract before putting up any photo frames, just to be sure. If the rental rules allow this, our command centre can be hung on the wall with just a couple of hooks or screws, and provides a practical place to stow your essentials.
You can also use command tape and hooks which remove easily without leaving a hole to hang this noticeboard but be sure check you’re using a hook that can bear the weight.
The command centre features a chalkboard so that it’s easy to list your shopping or leave a note for other family members when you’re heading out the door. It also has hooks so you’ll never lose your keys and a bulldog clip where you can organise your post as soon as it drops onto the doormat. An upcycled can is the ideal place for pens, pencils and maybe even a small torch.
It’s a great way to upcycle an old picture frame if you have one without glass or a back. You can bring a little pop of colour to the hallway by painting it in a shade to coordinate or contrast with the interior, making it a fun way to inject some personality without redecorating. If you paint other picture frames with the same colour spray paint, you could even create a gallery wall with photos and slogans hung up around the command centre.
If you would like to create your own ‘command centre’ simply follow this handy step-by-step project:
You will need:
- An old picture frame without glass or back – an A3 frame or larger works well for this project
- Thin sheet of wood such as plywood with 4mm thickness
- Protective mask, gloves and goggles
- Hand saw
- Sandpaper
- Rust-Oleum spray paint
- Ronseal blackboard paint and a brush or roller
- Small hooks, short screws and pin nails
- Bulldog clip
- A clean used tin can with smooth blunt edges so that there’s no chance of injury if you use it as a pen pot
- Pipe strap clamp that will fit around the tin can
- Chalk and a piece of string
Step 1
Before starting, cover up with old clothing, gloves and a protective mask and goggles. If your picture frame has any acetate, glass, a mount or backboard in it, carefully dismantle it so that you’ve only got the frame left. Take extra care not to break the glass and thoughtfully recycle any parts you’re not using. You can use an ornate frame or something more minimalist – whatever disused frame you can find to upcycle. Search charity shops or car boot sales for a bargain frame.
Step 2
Use the empty frame to trace out a rectangle on a piece of thin wood and carefully use a hand saw to cut a piece that’ll fit inside the frame. Sand down the surface and edges to make it perfectly smooth, without any splinters.
Step 3
Next, it’s time to paint so work outside and make sure it’s a well-ventilated area. Use old cardboard or newspaper to cover any surfaces you’re working on. Lay out the frame, tin can and bulldog clip and spray paint them in a colour of your choice. We used Rust-Oleum Mode spray paint, which is suitable for use on melamine and other surfaces including wood, metal, MDF, rigid plastic and more. This paint is quick drying and provides a glossy factory-like finish in a variety of vibrant colours.
Step 4
Use a roller or paint brush to apply chalkboard paint to the rectangle of wood. We used Ronseal One Coat Blackboard Paint to create a durable wipe-clean chalkboard with a tough, long-lasting finish. This paint is also handy for rejuvenating existing blackboards as the formula dries quickly and can be drawn on after one hour. Paint in a tin or using spray paint in a can is an environmentally conscious option as the metal container can be endlessly recycled in the future when empty. It’s also a durable container for storing leftover paint.
Step 5
When the paint is completely dry, position the piece of thin wood inside the frame and firmly secure it in place – you can use strong glue, pin nails or the bend-over metal tabs that hold the back of a picture frame in place. Then, work out how many hooks you’d like for keys and screw them in place.
Step 6
Likewise, decide the best position for your tin pen pot and attach the pipe clamp to the wood – be sure to only use short screws so that they don’t poke out the back of the wood and damage the wall. Position the bulldog clip and attach it to the backboard by using a screw that will fit through the hole on the back arm of the clip.
Step 7
Attach saw-tooth picture hooks or mirror plates to the back of the wood – this is what you’ll use to hang the command centre on the wall, the same as any other picture. Make sure you follow the guidelines for hanging pictures as outlined in your rental agreement – using a drill, wall plugs and the correct type of screws for the wall etc. Choose a safe position for your command centre that’s away from the letterbox and windows so that no one can reach your keys on the hooks or read your post from outside the building. I’ve hung mine inside the kitchen, which stops the worktop from becoming a dumping ground for bits and bobs!
Now all you need to do is hang up your keys, add pens and a torch to the pot and organise your mail. And let your family know that the new command centre is where you’ll all make notes or add to the shopping list. One final tip is to tie a piece of chalk to a length string and attach it to the side of the frame so that it’s easy for everyone to note down a quick message or to-do item on the chalkboard. And that’s it – enjoy your newly organised command centre!
Please take care while using tools, materials and equipment and all projects must be completed at your own risk. We do not take responsibility for any harm or injury that may occur. Be safe!
