Create calm out of entryway chaos by making your own iPad/iPhone charging station and mail sorter – perfect for corralling cords, electronics, keys and sunglasses.
A few years ago I posted about a simple solution for storing and charging your iPad, iPod, iPhone, idontcare electronics. It was a wood magazine rack that I tipped on it’s back and then drilled holes through the bottom for cords to feed through.
It was great!
A bit big and bulky, and it was a bit more difficult to get your iPhone in and out – but it worked.
I don’t remember what I did with that tablet charging station? Maybe I had a garage sale and got rid of it? Sometimes I could kick my own ass for not thinking. lol
Regardless, I decided I wanted to build something similar, but where I could actually hide the charging cords in the back and create a sort of entryway solution – to hold keys, mail AND electronics.
This is what I came up with:
I call this the prototype instead of first screw-up – sounds more professional.
I cut up some ½” birch plywood that I had in the garage to create 2 tablet holders and then a smaller section to nestle iPhones in.
I added a box section to the back of the tablet charging station to tuck a powerbar and the lightning cords into so they wouldn’t be tangled up everywhere causing an eyesore.
The larger section is for mail – slightly oversized to fit those larger envelopes that sometimes come, but also perfect for dropping your keys or leaving your sunglasses.
Yes, there were a LOT of screw ups on this.
- my pocket hole screws shot through the ½” ply and ended up sticking out the sides.
- I didn’t need to use pocket hole screws at all – this iPad charging station would have been just as strong with wood glue and finishing nails
3. I didn’t account for the placement of my pocket holes, so you can see them on the wrong side of the wood (above)
4. the cord holes in the back are off-centre
UGH!
It would be a miracle to get one build perfect on the first try!
But my tablet charging station works – even with all the boo-boos.
No cords showing, perfect spacing for the different-sized electronics and a perfect place to store the mail that I never seem to get around to opening.
I stained the entire “entryway organization unit” and then used a coordinating paint along the edges to disguise that it’s plywood.
It’s (almost) perfect!
Tidy, compact, organized and save for a few hidden errors – pretty.
The dimensions for this tablet charging station are 12 ½” deep by 11″ wide, by 7″ tall. I can draw up building plans if you like, but really it’s going to depend on your needs; do you have 1 iPad or 6? Leave me a comment if you want the specs – I would be more than happy to draw them up if you want a version (but better) than mine.
Some other options to consider:
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Have a great one!
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Love it and what a great way to organize and save money. Great job