Introduction: Wall-mounted Charging Station for ALL the Mobile Devices
We have in our household: 2 e-readers, 1 iPad, 1 smaller tablet computer, 1 iPhone, 2 other cell phones and a camera. All of which need to be charged ALL THE TIME. Result: We were constantly looking for charging cables, free wall sockets and the devices themselves.
So I built this charging station from wooden boxes from Ikea. It also stores extra charging cables, earbuds and cell phones (which keep disappearing as well). I wanted a wall-mounted station so as not to clutter up the last few precious bits of free table and shelf surface. It is about 40cm / 16.75'' wide and 13cm / 5'' deep.
So I built this charging station from wooden boxes from Ikea. It also stores extra charging cables, earbuds and cell phones (which keep disappearing as well). I wanted a wall-mounted station so as not to clutter up the last few precious bits of free table and shelf surface. It is about 40cm / 16.75'' wide and 13cm / 5'' deep.
Step 1: Get Some Wooden Boxes
I got Förhöja boxes from Ikea - it’s a set of one big and two smaller boxes; the big one comes with a tray-like lid. The entire thing is just wide and deep enough to comfortably hold the iPad, at least two Kindles and two cell phones at the same time. The cut-outs at the tops are perfect for leading the cables through.
First I attached the little pieces of wood into the big box (instead of into the lid as per product instructions) to prevent the lid from sliding about.
Using a centre bit, I drilled a few 22mm ventilation holes into the lid and the bottom of the big box to prevent the charging plugs and extensions lead from overheating. (Note: don’t forget to put a piece of scrap wood under the box when drilling ventilation holes! You can also put sticky tape on the underside so the wood won’t splinter outwards when the drill breaks through.)
First I attached the little pieces of wood into the big box (instead of into the lid as per product instructions) to prevent the lid from sliding about.
Using a centre bit, I drilled a few 22mm ventilation holes into the lid and the bottom of the big box to prevent the charging plugs and extensions lead from overheating. (Note: don’t forget to put a piece of scrap wood under the box when drilling ventilation holes! You can also put sticky tape on the underside so the wood won’t splinter outwards when the drill breaks through.)
Step 2: Glueing the Boxes Together
Using wood glue, I glued the smaller boxes to the sides of the big box.
I glued four strips of wood (10 x 4 x 1cm) to the back to provide a little space between box and wall and put a few small nails in for extra sturdiness.
Then I drilled the holes for attaching the box to the wall.
I glued four strips of wood (10 x 4 x 1cm) to the back to provide a little space between box and wall and put a few small nails in for extra sturdiness.
Then I drilled the holes for attaching the box to the wall.
Step 3: Putting It on the Wall
When I screwed the box to the wall (using Rawlplugs/screw anchors), I placed the power cable along the back of the box so it runs down the middle between the strips of wood. I had to use a manual screwdriver because the electric screwdriver wouldn’t fit – hard work!
The cables inside the box are gathered together with a bit of plastic-coated wire so they won’t go all over the place when the lid is lifted off. The lid goes on to the box deep-side up, so the devices can be propped against the wall and won’t slip over the edge.
The cables inside the box are gathered together with a bit of plastic-coated wire so they won’t go all over the place when the lid is lifted off. The lid goes on to the box deep-side up, so the devices can be propped against the wall and won’t slip over the edge.
