Finding a dedicated spot to charge electronic devices while keeping the wires tamed and out of sight can be a challenge. And when you live with roommates, the problem can get even more out of hand. So when a friend with this problem asked for my help, this is the solution I came up with: a DIY wall mounted charging station/shelf combo. It holds a power strip on the lower shelf where you can plug in the chargers and the devices rest on the top shelf.

*** please note that the cable from the power strip does NOT run behind/inside the wall ***

Step 1: Cut Wood

Cut a 1"x6"x 6 ft pine board into 4 boards: 2 x 24" and 2 x 5" ( I had this done at the hardware store). You could also use 1" x 4" boards to make a narrower shelf.

Step 2: Drill Holes for Wires

Drill a semi-circular hole in the middle of the top and bottom board using a 1 ½” diameter hole saw. Clamping a piece of scrap wood on top of the board before making the hole will help make a cleaner cut. The wires from the devices you’re charging will come out the top hole and the bottom hole is for the cord of the power strip going to the outlet.

Step 3: Drill Ventilation Holes

Using a large drill bit, make several ventilation holes in the bottom. These will help dissipate the heat generated from the chargers.

Step 4: Attach Brackets and Assemble the Shelf

Before assembling the shelf, add L-brackets to the back of the top board – these will be used to secure the charging station to the wall or a wall panel. Assemble the shelf using these steps from my stove shelf.

Step 5: Add a Door

The door is optional but it keeps the mess of wires out of sight. To make the door, I used 1/8” thick hardboard material that I had left over from another project and covered it with material from an IKEA curtain panel I had on hand, and then stained it with the same Minwax stain as the shelf. For the hinge, I used ribbon and upholstery tacks and to hold the door open, I used eye hooks and ball chain. I added a magnetic clasp to keep the door closed and for the handle, any knob will do.

And now the charging station is ready to install on a wall or wall panel! The video shows in detail the whole process of making the door, and the shelf, as well as how I made the wall panels to create an entryway.

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31 Comments

lmjohanson

3 years ago

Made a version of this out of black walnut. Decided to go with a regular hinge as the wood is so heavy. Put a tiny strip of wood behind the door on the floor of the box so my iPad and iPhone can angle up and fit in the box with the door closed. Also put in a small partition to hide the power strip. Great idea, thanks!

prichard1

8 years ago on Introduction

Running the power cable through a hole in the wall is generally a fire code violation. Tread lightly.

adwill

7 years ago on Introduction

A really great idea.

One comment tho - Rather than a hole at the back for the cables make a semi circle cut at front of top shelf for each plug point. This would make it easier to thread the cables than having to push them all through from the back.

Otherwise a really great project. I will definitely give it a try!

chuckstake

8 years ago on Introduction

thank you i made one and wife love it

transforming vintage

8 years ago

Great idea! I have been looking for something like this, too many iPods phones tablets etc at my house. I do think that running a cord through the wall is a fire code violation tho, lol just kidding I did read the whole thing. Great job.

MickyZ

8 years ago on Introduction

Great idea, as with all idea's its the concept that counts. So to any critics adapt it in any way you prefer. I have a small remote controlled gizmo that I can switch off wall sockets in my "man cave" to save electricity and for safety reasons. But there are many ways to achieve this.

antioch

8 years ago on Introduction

Nice one. All that's missing is a solution to cut the power when nothing is being charged. And there's quite some power to save since at the moment most mobile chargers are wasting energy when plugged into the powerhose even without charging any device.

spark master

8 years ago on Introduction

Putting an extension cord in a wall in
NYC is a violation or the electric code and the fire-code. If anyone
gets hurt due to this you face (perhaps) manslaughter or other
interesting court cases.

If no one gets hurt, your insurance, in
many cases will be void and they will not pay, if you rent the owners
now sue you. All persons who lost anything if this torches an apartment
will sue you, and they will be right. If it is your home or your parents home, all will be on you.

do not do it this way

Other then that I like this
item, I would just put a piece of BX, (or romex in places where it is allowed) in the wall add a box and
receptical and make it legal. It would then be a nice shelf for a
wireless speaker or a chachki.

Deltic

8 years ago on Introduction

Nice job; how about glueing Lego Mini-figs to the top & use to hold the charging cables? This makes them immediately identifiable & everyone can have fun personalising their own cable holder. As Antioch points out the use of an individually switched extension cable would save power & is also be much safer as regards hot chargers in an enclosed wooden box.

Introduction: Wall Mounted Charging Station Shelf

Step 1: Cut Wood

Step 2: Drill Holes for Wires

Step 3: Drill Ventilation Holes

Step 4: Attach Brackets and Assemble the Shelf

Step 5: Add a Door

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