The Brilliant IKEA Hack You Need For A Sleek Charging Station On A Budget

A charging station is a fantastic addition to the home for many reasons. It stops the frustration of charging cable migration that often leaves one hunting from room to room to save a phone that's on 3%. Charging stations look neat and organized, and putting them together can be easy and inexpensive. If you've been wanting a charging station but aren't keen to spend a fortune, this IKEA hack from Instagram creator @dreamyabode.us supplies a sleek solution that adds to the beauty of a room and comes in at around $20.

The station is made from two MOSSLANDA Picture Ledges, one the right way up and the other upside down on top of it. When it's closed, it looks like a slim wooden rectangle attached to the wall. To use it, simply flip the top ledge down, which creates a shelf that holds the devices being charged. Charging cables look messy whether they're tangled or not, and this station is a flipped lid away from order. The way it's arranged makes it suitable to use with shorter cables, which often pose a problem for charging.

When deciding where to hang your station, pick a spot that makes sense based on the layout of the room. In a living room, position it in line with a sofa's armrest to provide a flowing line. This is also a practical place for reaching a phone to answer calls. Align it with a bookshelf, a TV table, or other fixtures to keep the visual sight lines clean.

To build a charging station, you'll need your matching MOSSLANDA ledges and two small hinges. Connect the two ledges by joining the taller side of one to the short side of the other using the hinges, so that they close to form a rectangular tube. Before attaching the hinges, you can chisel out a hinge-sized gap in the shelf wood so the hinge sits flush with the surface and closes the gap between the two pieces. 

Measure and drill holes in the wall, making sure the ledges will be level. Screw the hinge-free, tall side of one of the ledges into the wall, ideally into studs. Once mounted, the two ledges should create a "step" with the moving ledge at a lower height than the one attached to the wall. Check that they close easily and fit together well. 

Place a power strip in the top section with a cable long enough to reach a power outlet. Plug your charging cables into the power strip, and your station is ready to use. While the cables live in the top section, the bottom ledge is a comfortable width for most phones. Phones being charged sit securely in the bottom ledge. For safety, remember to unplug the extension cord when you're not using it. Also, move the wires out of the way carefully when you close the bottom ledge. For safety, check the cable regularly for any signs you should throw your phone charger away immediately.

Along with the wooden oak finish, the MOSSLANDA comes in white and black, giving you different choices to fit the design aesthetic of your room. You can also prime and paint the ledges or add stenciled designs, vinyl elements, or other embellishment to personalize the look. For households with many devices, consider super-sizing the charging station by using the MOSSLANDA 45 ¼-Inch Picture Ledge. If you go for the longer ledge, use more hinges to support the extra weight and add a couple more attachment points to the wall to make sure it's firmly attached. 

If you have an outlet higher up on the wall, mount your charging station over it to do away with the dangling extension cable that can be an eyesore when the station is in use. Measure the dimensions of the plug point, and cut out a slightly larger piece on the section of the shelf that gets attached to the wall. Check the fit and adjust if needed before attaching the ledge to the wall. If you have to trail a cable, you can always hide unsightly cords around the house with a simple and stylish DIY. For an even more organized look, consider eliminating the charging cords. While you may want a top-rated wireless charger to give your nightstand that perfectly sleek look, smaller and more streamlined versions of these ports also work beautifully inside a charging station. Keep the wireless charger inside the enclosed station, and open it to place your phone on the charger without the need to plug it in.