Inexpensive DIY Mobile Device Charging Station ~
I am super pleased with this inexpensive DIY mobile device charging station for a lot of reasons! It looks great on the kitchen desk. It conveniently charges all of the mobile devices we have in our family two devices at a time. But the best reason is that the container to hold the devices cost only one dollar at the dollar store.
I had been problem solving for quite awhile how I could create a new charging station without spending a lot of money. The previous one we had no longer worked. Obviously this one was designed before iPads, Mini iPads and the new various Smart Phones on the market. The devices didn’t fit on it any longer. From the day I purchased it I wasn’t really happy with it because it was too big and took up a lot of room on the kitchen desk. It also became a dust collector over time because the black backing is made of felt and everything stuck to it. I wasn’t pleased that I had one more thing to vacuum in the house. It also has not stood up well because you can see that the varnish has started to chip away. I put a big X on it so that you didn’t think this was the mobile charging station I was so excited about.
I did invest a bit of money in a Power Cube that had two outlets in it so two devices could be charged at the same time. I know there are bigger cubes available with more multiple charging capabilities but I didn’t want anything too bulky in the kitchen desk outlet. The devices today charge quite quickly now so two devices at a time in our family is plenty. We also each have a charging set up beside our bed so a device can charge while we are sleeping.
Where I did score on the inexpensive side was what I found at the dollar store. I could see the potential in this brilliant sturdy cardboard storage bin. It had two handles on either side. One open handle was perfect for pulling the USB cables through from the Power Cube to the devices. The other handle was great for adding a cute label tied with a bow using paper string. I just discovered this paper string and I have to admit I love it. I actually bought it for a Coffee Scented Candle DIY Gift I made and I have lots leftover for other projects.
I did have a problem with the storage bin. The brilliant orange on the inside and the bright green on the outside really were just too vibrant for my taste.
So I decided to spray paint it black and I am really happy with how it turned out. I prefer to use a primer on anything that I spray paint and my favourite kind is the Kilz Original Primer. For the black paint I actually used chalkboard spray paint because that was the only kind of black paint I had in the house. I also really like working with black chalkboard paint because it goes on quite nicely and evenly. Rather than label the mobile charging station with a tag I also could have written right on the storage box with white chalk or a white pencil crayon!
When it comes to spray painting it is better to start with a light coat and then a thicker coat after the first one has dried. I explain more thoroughly how to successfully paint with spray paint in Inexpensive Easy To Make Chalkboard Sign.
This inexpensive DIY mobile charging station is so easy to make and here is how…
Materials For Inexpensive DIY Mobile Device Charging Station
- DUO Power Cube for USB charging
- cardboard storage bin with open handles from the dollar store
- Kilz Original Primer
- black Spray Paint
- tag for labeling
- string, ribbon or twine for attaching the tag
Instructions For Making An Inexpensive DIY Mobile Device Charging Station
Step 1
Apply the first coat of the primer on the outside of the storage bin and let dry. Apply the first coat of the primer on the inside of the storage bin and let dry.
Step 2
Follow the same instructions as Step 1 for applying the second coat of primer.
Step 3
Apply the first coat of black paint on the outside of the storage bin and let dry. Apply the first coat of the black paint on the inside of the storage bin and let dry.
Step 4
Follow the same instructions as Step 3 for applying the second coat of black paint. This second coat should do the trick but you may have to add a third coat to make sure all of the white from the primer is covered.
Step 5
Attach a label with string, ribbon or twine and tie into a bow.
Step 6
Plug in the DUO Power Cube with the USB cable connected. Pull the other end of the USB cable through the other open handle and leave inside the storage bin.
So that’s it! My instructions were to change the appearance of this mobile charging station from a bright green and orange to a basic black but you can use any paint colour! You will also notice that my iPad does not quite fit inside the storage box and so has to rest on an angle. But no worries! As I am writing this blog I have just ordered a new Mini iPad, which will fit perfectly. My iPad is a second generation so I have had it for a quite a few years. I am going to clear it off and donate it to a school.
We are totally an Apple family and we have been for quite a few years. I used to love my old PC but after switching I will never go back. One Apple product that I really love is the Apple TV. It is quite inexpensive and we use it all of the time to stream our movies, music and photographs through the television. Why I Love My Apple TV gives the details! Several devices can be stored in this handy mobile device charging station safely and neatly.
I think my inexpensive DIY mobile device charging station looks pretty awesome on the desk in the kitchen!
Here is a pinnable image for sharing!
What does your charging station look like? Are you an Apple fan or are you totally PC? Isn’t it great we have choices!
Inexpensive DIY Mobile Device Charging Station was featured in Huffington Post!
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