Creating a Family Launch Pad

Posted On January 5, 2014

Have you got your lunch?  Where is your hat?  Has anybody seen the sunscreen? 

I have always thought the last 30minutes before leaving the house, to go anywhere, are the most stressful.  Getting children ready involves a plethora of STUFF.  So last year I set about making a family “Launch Pad”

A “Launch Pad” is an area in our home that contains EVERYTHING we may need to “Launch” into our day.  With any organising project I always start with

What do I need this space to do?

  1. Contain every day items that are needed for our day
  2. Be neat and tidy
  3. Easily accessible and identifiable

1. So what do I need our Launch Pad to contain;

Everyday items like 

  • Sunscreeen
  • Hand Sanitiser
  • Baby Wipes 
  • Tissues
  • Aeroguard ( I am a huge target for Mosquitoes so take it every where I go)
  • Hats

School Items:

  • Lunch Boxes
  • Lunch Bags
  • Drink Bottles

Errands

  • “Green” Bags (Recyclable cloth bags)
  • To do list clipboard
  • Shopping List Clipboard
  • Container for items that need to be returned.

Handbag Organisation

  • Refills for the small items I keep in my handbag.

If there is any space left we think it would be a good place to also keep our Emergency Kit.

By listing everything I want to be in this area it gives me an idea on how big of an area i need, how many baskets and ways in which I could group items together. 

How do I want to contain it so its neat and tidy?

For us  I love labelled open storage.  Open storage does not have lids.  I have a thing about lids!  I heard once they are like a barrier to putting things away!  They are also one more thing to loose or get frustrated by when little fingers can’t open them. My favourite open storage systems are shelves with baskets or similar size plastic containers.  I was dreaming of something like a Trofast unit or maybe an Expedit (both form Ikea)

How will I make it easily accessible and identifiable.

Our playroom Trofast and Expedit works so efficiently and it is easy to grab items (for everyone) and even easier to put them back where they belong.  The bonus is when they are away it looks neat and tidy.  The containers are easy to slide in and out and also easy to add labels to.

I dont want a flimsy shelf unit but something that looks good in an open plan house and is sturdy.

So now that I have a clear idea of what I need.

What will work in the space? 

 

Here is an old picture of the space.  We no longer have the School Zone in this space as Master O has moved into the study with me.  There is also now a small breakfast table in this space.  To the Right is our kitchen and to the left the outdoor area. On the other end of this room (where I am standing to take the photo) is the Playroom.

This is the perfect location.  Lunchboxes, lunchbags and drink bottles are handy to the kitchen but out of the way.  This area is also close enough to outside to be a handy location for hats and sunscreen.  It is also hidden enough from our main living areas.  

After careful consideration we decided to use what we have in the way of storage.  This Expedit unit was upstairs not being used very efficiently.  This is the perfect spot for it as it fits so neatly under the window.

So I have some lists of needs and wants and a location. 

Now for some major sorting, organising and labelling with many more progress pics to come! 

Do you have a launch pad in your house?