I had a very specific reason for building my DIY charging station: I wanted to rid myself of an ugly power strip that I had for way too long.
I had planned to build an AC outlet box with a switch, but the box was bigger than the switch that I needed.
So, I decided to build a DIY charging station instead. I did a lot of research and found that there are many DIY charging station designs – but they all looked good, but I wanted something that I could personalize.
I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a charging station, but I also wanted something that would look good in my house.
After searching many DIY charging station designs, I found one that had the perfect dimensions:
It’s designed for tablets, but can also accommodate your regular-sized smartphones.
However, these station designs can be as simple as using an extension cord and a power strip, or as complex as building a custom charging station with multiple cords and connectors.
DIY Charging Station Dock Plans & Ideas
#1. Multi-Device Charging Station Shelves
I’ve always been interested in electronics and I’ve been into DIY electronics for a while now. It all started when I built my first computer from spare parts. It was not very fancy, but it was a step in the right direction. To this day I remember how proud I was the first time I powered it on. That was when it all started. Which is why I love these charging station projects!
#2. Shampoo Bottle Charging Station
#3. Scrappy Home DIY Docking Station
This plan lets you charge all of our phones, iPads and smart devices all at once. It’s made from scrap wood and old electrical outlets. It works perfectly, and it’s easy to use.
#4. Cardboard Charging Station
#5. Wireless Family Wood Charging Station
After years of using my laptop while traveling, I began to notice that the wireless charger I had purchased to save space would not stay in place. It was also unreliable, as it would stop charging. Finally, I built my own wireless charger. It’s a small box that sits on my desk and holds my phone and smartwatch while it charges. It looks gorgeous and was fun to build.
#6. Simple Phone Charging Station
#7. Charging Station With Storage
I figured I’d include this one on the list- it’s for power tools, but you could definitely slide your iPhone 13 mini onto the shelf and charge it while woodworking in your garage.
#8. Easy Charge & Docking Station
#9. Hidden Charging Station
#10. Classy Charging Station
I’ve been thinking of building a DIY charging station for our family’s phones since I started using Apple products. It was originally designed for iPhones but now works for all devices. It’s also convenient if you need to lock away your children’s smartphones and have them charge in the process.
#11. Knex Charging Station
A DIY phone charging station provides convenience and helps you make your life easier. It’s less hassle for everyone, especially for kids and families. You can place your phone wirelessly on the charging station and it will charge it automatically. It saves a lot of time and energy because you no longer have to plug in your phones to charge them.
#12. $20 Charging Station
#13. Charging Station Breadbox
Here’s a convenient upcycling idea- use a breadbox!
#14. Tablet Charging Station
Crafted with reclaimed wood, this wall-mounted tablet charging station is the perfect addition to any home. These charging stations not only look great, but can also be a helpful way to organize your cables and keep them out of sight. Plus, it’s easy to make one for yourself! We love the idea of making one for every room in the house because you always need a charge!
#15. Homemade Charging Station
Charging stations are a great way to stay organized and have the area around your electronics arranged in a way that makes it easy to reach each device. In addition, having everything in one place can make charging electronics easier. For example, if you have a charging station for each family member, they can pick and choose what they want to charge and when they want to charge it.
#16. Cardboard Charging Station
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know that I love sharing my DIY crafts. So why not share my DIY charging station with you? A charging station is a great topic for a DIY craft because there are so many unique ways to create one. You can make your own, custom design from scratch using all different kinds of materials, or even if you buy a pre-made one, you can always change it up.
#17. Straw Charging Station
#18. Wire Hiding Wall Mounted Idea
Currently there is no plan for this one, but I thought I’d include it for inspiration!
Materials Required
- Extension cord
- Power strip
- Electric vehicle
- Tools: drill, screwdriver, saw
- Optional: electrical box, mounting board, weatherproof enclosure
How to Make a DIY smart device charging station
1. Choose the location for your charging station
The charging station should be in an open area where the smart devices can easily be accessed.
2. Choose the type of charging station
There are two types of DIY charging stations: a basic charging station and a more complex charging station. The basic charging station is easier to make, but may not be as durable or weatherproof. The more complex charging station requires more tools and may be more difficult to build, but it is more durable and weatherproof.
3. Build the basic charging station
The basic charging station is made of two parts: the extension cord and the power strip. To make the extension cord, cut a cord to the desired length and plug one end into an outdoor extension cord. Then, run that through a power strip and plug the other end of the power strip into an outlet outside.
4. Build the more complex charging station
The more complex charging station is made using an electrical box, mounting board, and weatherproof enclosure. First, cut the electrical box to an appropriate size. Next, mount the mounting board inside of it using standoffs and screws. Then, place weatherproof outlet in the enclosure with wiring extending outside of it. Finally, plug the cord into the weatherproof outlet.
5. Connect your electric vehicle
Plug your electric vehicle into your desired charging station device. The basic charging station has one plug for the electric vehicle, while the more complex charging station has multiple plugs.
6. Test your charging station
Once everything is plugged in and connected, test your DIY charging station by turning on the outlet it is plugged into. If everything is working correctly, you should see a light turn on in your charging station device.
7. Place your charging station
Your charging station is complete, so now it should be placed in an open area where the electric vehicle can be parked easily and plugged into. Then, plug your electric vehicle into the DIY charging station and connect it to a power outlet outside. Finally, turn on the outlet that the charging station is plugged into and you’re ready to go!
When building a DIY charging station, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- Make sure to use an outdoor extension cord if you are building a basic charging station.
- Make sure that the charging station is in an open area where it’s easy to plug in your smart devices
- If you are building a more complex charging station, make sure to use a weatherproof enclosure to protect the outlet from the elements.
- Always test your charging station before using it to make sure that everything is connected and working correctly.
- Place your charging station in an easily accessible location.
FAQ On How To Make DIY charging Station
1: Where should I build my charging station?
Answer: Your charging station should be in an open area where everyone congregates so it’s easy to remember to plug them in.
2: How long should the extension cord for my basic charging station be?
Answer: You should cut the cord to the desired length and then plug it into an outdoor extension cord. This will allow you to have more flexibility when placing your charging station.
3: What is a weatherproof enclosure?
Answer: A weatherproof enclosure is a housing that protects electrical components from the elements. It is important to have a weatherproof enclosure around the outlet when building a more complex charging station in order to protect it from rain and snow.
5: How do I test my DIY charging station?
Answer: To test your DIY charging station, turn on the outlet it is plugged into. If everything is working correctly, you should see a light turn on in your charging station device.
6: Can I use a solar panel to power my charging station?
Answer: Yes, you can use a solar panel to power your charging station. However, keep in mind that the solar panel will need to be large enough to charge all your devices.
7: What is a basic charging station?
Answer:: A basic charging station is when your DIY charging station has one plug for the devices and it requires an extension cord. This is the easiest type of DIY charging station to build.
9: What are some things to keep in mind when building a DIY charging station?
Answer: Some things to keep in mind when building a DIY charging station include using an outdoor extension cord, making sure the charging station is in an open area, and using a weatherproof enclosure if needed. You should also always test your charging station before using it.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make a DIY charging station, it’s time to get started! Remember to use an outdoor extension cord if you are building a basic charging station and to use a weatherproof enclosure if needed for a more complex charging station. Happy charging!
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge. I’m a DIY enthusiast who loves building fun woodworking plans. These DIY plans are fun hobby projects for enthusiasts or even more advanced builders that want to build things like bunk beds, end tables or even a duck box!
