On today’s agenda is a DIY cell phone charging station by converting a wooden bread box. Isn’t that the coolest idea ever?
We were in desperate need of a cell phone charging station for our kitchen counter but everything I could find online or in stores was either expensive or ugly. I mean really ugly!
This cute cell phone charging station is one I made at our old house and it the cutest ever!
Staying organized is always something I try to maintain but I will admit, it’s hard! I do find though that if something has a place and it’s easily accessible, staying organized is so much easier.
How to make a cell phone charging station
A DIY bread box “cell phone” charging station.
The bread box was a typical bread box, there was no shelf.
You can buy this roll top bread box on Amazon and it’s so cheap!
Our kitchen counter is the drop zone for everything so this breadbox quickly became the closest item to store all of our random gadgets and cell phones in.
I don’t know about you but our electronics and cell phones are constantly on our kitchen counter being charged and one day it hit me, the bread box!
The bread box would be a perfect place to store these items out of sight.
All that wasted space inside though, how could I make it more functional? Well, I decided to add a shelf. Why not right?
I used a 1/2″ drill bit to make two holes in the back of the bread box.
Because the breadbox has a roll top, I chose to put holes in the very bottom of the bread box so when the bread box is open, the cell phone or ipad charging wires would not interfere with the roll top.
Homemade cell phone charging station
You can see, I drilled two holes above in the back side of the bread box.
Next you need to make your shelf.
Measure each side and mark where you want to drill your holes.
I used a 3/16″ drill bit and drilled two holes on the inside of the bread box. The bread box was not very thick so I drilled very slowly, just enough to make a deep enough hole for my support peg.
Do this on both sides, four total holes.
I used four support pegs (placed in the holes) to support my 1/4″ piece of craft board (purchased at Michaels Crafts).
You can use any type of support peg or small shelf bracket. We just happened to have support pegs so that is what I used.
Put your pegs in the holes.
I cut my craft board to 14 1/2″ long and it fit perfectly inside the bread box.
Michaels Crafts sells all sorts of crafting board in various shapes and sizes.
Yes, I put a shelf in a bread box. You should have seen the “eye rolling” coming from my dad when he saw me doing this.
Use a level to ensure that your shelf is straight.
Double check.
Now you have a shelf!
I decided to cut another piece of crafting board for the bottom. I wrapped both pieces of craft board in leftover fabric that I had from a previous pillow project.
A little hot glue and viola, pretty shelves!
The inside needs to be pretty right?
You can see how I fed the phone charger through the hole in the back of the bread box.
The back of the bread box.
This project took under one hour. I think most of the time was the setup and cleanup.
Now when I come home, I drop all my things inside the bread box. I used the top of jar cover to keep my keys and other small items in.
Kind of cute huh?
It’s almost as if this bread box (buy here on Amazon) was made for the size of an ipad.
It fits perfectly on the top shelf. The roll top door doesn’t even it touch it when it closes.
Mission accomplished. Closed door pretty counter storage.
Looking for more kitchen organization ideas? Check out our newly organized refrigerator with the best clear plastic containers and pantry food storage makeover. They are both so pretty now!
Once the door is closed, you can’t even see what is inside. Although, I like how it looks inside now. I’m sure if you stop and think about it, you probably have something in your own home you could drill a couple holes in and convert it to a cell phone or electronics charging station.
Kim @ Sand & Sisal says
AWESOME idea Jess! our family needs a charging station desperately, we have devices laying around everywhere! The fabric is a great addition too.
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you! You might need 4 bread boxes with your crew! 🙂
Angela says
Excellent idea!! We need a charging station as well! Thanks for sharing….gonna try this!~~Angela
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Angela! It is very easy.
Thistle says
Can I just tell you how cute you are! I LOVE the instagram pictures rock star! You are HILARIOUS!!!!!! Totally pinning (and scheduling) and Facebooking this idea! I need this for my kitchen!
Counting my blessings for you today!
karianne
Kelli says
I LOVE IT! We mentioned just lately that we needed some kind of station. Yours is great. I also love your kitchen. What a happy place to cook! 🙂 k.
Bobbi says
That is such a great idea, love it! . . . but where are your safety glasses? Never use power tools without them.
Jessica Bruno says
Hey Bobbi! I agree, safety glasses always when using power tools! You are right 🙂 Glad you like the project. It was fun and it works great.
Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says
That’s pretty clever!!
Denise says
I’ve seen this done with fake books, yours has more room. Cool idea! I need to stuff one with my camera chargers.
Jessica Bruno says
Good idea with the camera chargers!
Lisa says
That is such a great way to repurpose a breadbox! I used an old wooden wine box for a charging station and it has worked out great. I hated the cords all over the place….so much neater now!
Heather @At The Picket Fence says
This is so cool Jessica! You are too clever! Pinning and sharing!
Heather
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Heather!
Jessica Bruno says
Hey Heather! I am going through my comments and I’m not sure if I responded back to you? I don’t think I did. I am so sorry. Thanks so much for stopping by and I appreciate your shares 🙂
Karie says
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing I think I might give this a try….Oh and I bet your dad wants one now doesn’t he?!?!
Thanks again!
Jessica Bruno says
haha Karie, my dad thinks I am crazy! In fact, his cell phone is from 1980, like the bagged kind. ha. Just kidding but it’s 8 years old and I don’t even think he knows where it is half the time. ha. His generation (well some) could careless about cell phones. I couldn’t live without mine!
TidyMom says
I LOVE this idea Jess!
TidyMom says
Thanks for linking up, I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2013/8-creative-ideas-for-home/
Happy Easter!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Cheryl! 🙂 Happy Easter!
Jenn says
Such a genius idea! I will have to keep my eye out for a bread box when I am at Goodwill. Thanks so much for sharing. Pinned! 🙂
Happy Easter!
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you Jenn!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
This is such a great idea…we always have stuff charging on our counters ! I picked up a breadbox at a garage sale the other day… just to try your idea:) Thanks for the tutorial!!
Krista
Jessica Bruno says
Yay! Thank you 🙂
Dagmar says
Great idea! I made one recently out of a recycled shoe box 🙂
http://dagmarbleasdale.com/2013/05/diy-project-shoe-box-phone-and-ipad-charging-station/
Darci the STEM Mom says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE….simple, cute…and I already have a bread box! However, what about in an RV? I have no counter space available….Any ideas to take a charging station vertical? would love your ideas!
Darci
Jessica Bruno says
Thank you 🙂 Is there a way you could mount it on the wall or screw to the under part of a top cabinet?
Wendy says
Love this! We have lots of electronics so adding a power strip to the back of the breadbox so I can charge more than 2 things at once.
Jessica Bruno says
It works great Wendy, thanks for stopping by 🙂
Cailin Koy says
Ingenious! Our kitchen is a gadget minefield, I’m totally stealing this idea.
Jessica Bruno says
ha thanks Cailin!
Jessica Bruno says
hahaha 🙂
Mallory @ Classy Clutter says
Was this in Good Housekeeping mag??? I SWEAR I saw this today at the doctor’s office! 🙂
Jessica Bruno says
haha yup! 🙂
Patti says
I can’t believe I am seeing this. I am on my second chrome “bread box office”. The first expensive bread box lid quit closing so I bought a less expensive one that has a difference closing mechanism. Although I do not have an internal shelf (very helpful) or use it as a charging station I do however use it to store pens, pencils, lipstick, external drive, scotch tape, and other office supplies. The chrome matches my contemporary kitchen.
Jessica Bruno says
ha yep bread boxes are pretty handy for all things storage 🙂
Patti says
I can’t believe I am seeing this. I am on my second chrome “bread box office”. The first expensive bread box lid quit closing so I bought a less expensive one that has a difference closing mechanism. Although I do not have an internal shelf (very helpful) or use it as a charging station I do however use it to store pens, pencils, lipstick, external drive, scotch tape, and other office supplies. The chrome matches my contemporary kitchen.
martha says
Wonderful idea to add shelf. Here’s a question. How would you paint this bread box. I’ve seen people selling them as distressed with a french motif on them. However, the front rolls down and I’d be concerned of breaking the box if I took it apart to paint it thoroughly. Any suggestions.
MaryAnne says
Have you ever had an issue with too much heat when the items are charging?
Jessica Bruno says
I haven’t but my holes in the back are big and I tend to leave the bread box open a lot