9 Smart Charging-Station Solutions for Decluttering Your Cables
Bring some sanity to your gadgetry with these nifty solutions for storing, charging and organizing your devices
tidgboutique
July 31, 2017
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design concierge boutique-style firm crafting timeless interiors.
Toronto Interior Design Group is a trusted one-stop-shop residential interior design... More
This article is from our Most Popular stories file.
It seems like every year a new type of high-tech device becomes an essential part of our lives. But we could all do without seeing the countless cables it takes to keep these devices charged and ready to go. To help keep your devices powered up, and your surfaces free of busy cables, here are some of my favorite solutions for integrating charging stations into your kitchen and elsewhere in your home.
It seems like every year a new type of high-tech device becomes an essential part of our lives. But we could all do without seeing the countless cables it takes to keep these devices charged and ready to go. To help keep your devices powered up, and your surfaces free of busy cables, here are some of my favorite solutions for integrating charging stations into your kitchen and elsewhere in your home.
1. Charging Drawers
Placing a charging station inside a drawer works well because the most common devices that need to be charged (tablets, phones, laptops) are typically flat. Laying them inside a drawer means you don’t have to worry about them falling off a stand or getting knocked to the floor, which often results in a cracked screen.
Placing a charging station inside a drawer works well because the most common devices that need to be charged (tablets, phones, laptops) are typically flat. Laying them inside a drawer means you don’t have to worry about them falling off a stand or getting knocked to the floor, which often results in a cracked screen.
Also, if you really like keeping technology out of sight and out of mind (especially in a more traditional kitchen where glossy black screens don’t exactly fit into your look), a slim drawer isn’t much real estate to give up, and it can be shut to put your devices away for a mental break.
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz
Find a kitchen designer near you on Houzz
Integrating a solution like this is especially easy in a cabinet that already includes powered items such as built-in appliances.
Notice how in-cabinet units like this tend to use a power bar with surge protection. Safety features such as this will reduce the risk of an electrical fire and often are required by building codes, so be sure to speak with a knowledgeable professional about the best way to install any of these devices.
Notice how in-cabinet units like this tend to use a power bar with surge protection. Safety features such as this will reduce the risk of an electrical fire and often are required by building codes, so be sure to speak with a knowledgeable professional about the best way to install any of these devices.
2. Tip-Out Drawers
Sometimes, depending on the configuration of your cabinets, you may have a space for a small tip-out drawer but not a full-depth drawer. This is often the case in front of a sink or built-in range, or when something else fills the upper portion of a base cabinet. In this example, the space behind this tip-out drawer is actually used up by a full drawer accessed from the adjacent face of the island. The space left is small, but it needn’t go to waste.
A space like this is an excellent size for holding just a few power ports, which can then be used to charge an item sitting on the counter, such as a laptop or wireless speaker. You can leave the drawer open while it’s in use without having a full-extension drawer protruding into your workspace, so it’s a smart solution for busy spots in your kitchen.
Sometimes, depending on the configuration of your cabinets, you may have a space for a small tip-out drawer but not a full-depth drawer. This is often the case in front of a sink or built-in range, or when something else fills the upper portion of a base cabinet. In this example, the space behind this tip-out drawer is actually used up by a full drawer accessed from the adjacent face of the island. The space left is small, but it needn’t go to waste.
A space like this is an excellent size for holding just a few power ports, which can then be used to charge an item sitting on the counter, such as a laptop or wireless speaker. You can leave the drawer open while it’s in use without having a full-extension drawer protruding into your workspace, so it’s a smart solution for busy spots in your kitchen.
Notice how this drawer actually uses some USB ports instead of typical electrical outlets. This means all you need is a cable to plug in your device, and you can skip the adapter. When you have a small space or when you’re in a rush, that little change can make a big difference.
USB outlets are quite common these days and can be found online or at your local hardware store.
USB outlets are quite common these days and can be found online or at your local hardware store.
3. Open Shelves
If you prefer to have charging stations instantly accessible and don’t mind them being a bit more visible, try integrating them into open shelves, or little nooks in a pass-through space like this. Your small devices will be easy to tuck away, and they’re partially hidden from view for a decluttered look.
If you prefer to have charging stations instantly accessible and don’t mind them being a bit more visible, try integrating them into open shelves, or little nooks in a pass-through space like this. Your small devices will be easy to tuck away, and they’re partially hidden from view for a decluttered look.
4. Upright Niches
Sometimes it’s not the devices you want to hide, just the many cables. This clever ledge has an angled back and a lip at the front that lets items lean back and stay in place while also covering up your view of any outlets or cables. Add a corkboard and you’ve got a fun feature that keeps the devices from being the visual focus.
Sometimes it’s not the devices you want to hide, just the many cables. This clever ledge has an angled back and a lip at the front that lets items lean back and stay in place while also covering up your view of any outlets or cables. Add a corkboard and you’ve got a fun feature that keeps the devices from being the visual focus.
5. Entry Cabinets
A small cabinet or console like this one, situated in a hallway or entry, can be a great place to drop your devices when you come home.
If you’ve got modern wireless headphones with a chargeable battery, this is also a great place to charge those so they’re right by the door next time you head out. A small hole cut into the back of the cabinet can allow access to an outlet so you can tuck items away in open shelves or compartments with doors.
A small cabinet or console like this one, situated in a hallway or entry, can be a great place to drop your devices when you come home.
If you’ve got modern wireless headphones with a chargeable battery, this is also a great place to charge those so they’re right by the door next time you head out. A small hole cut into the back of the cabinet can allow access to an outlet so you can tuck items away in open shelves or compartments with doors.
6. Shallow Cabinets
Similar to a tip-out drawer, a shallow cabinet like this can be a great way to use a thin space left at the end of a larger cabinet. A simple cabinet with doors is generally a less expensive solution than drawers and offers plenty of functionality. Include a deep lip on your interior shelves and you won’t have to worry about large items falling off.
Similar to a tip-out drawer, a shallow cabinet like this can be a great way to use a thin space left at the end of a larger cabinet. A simple cabinet with doors is generally a less expensive solution than drawers and offers plenty of functionality. Include a deep lip on your interior shelves and you won’t have to worry about large items falling off.
Small spaces like this are often created in more traditional styles of cabinets with corner features that prevent the front doors from reaching edge to edge. Rather than letting that space go to waste or compromising the look, use the extra sliver of space for a little charging nook. You can also include a whiteboard for daily reminders and notes.
7. Recessed Cabinets
Storage niches are commonly used in bathrooms to get extra space for medicine cabinets or to house bath products in the shower, but this concept can be used in other rooms as well. A storage niche in the kitchen or office steals a bit of unused space to hold items such as a wireless internet router. While the wall is open for creating the niche, why not use the opportunity to route in power for a charging station as well?
Storage niches are commonly used in bathrooms to get extra space for medicine cabinets or to house bath products in the shower, but this concept can be used in other rooms as well. A storage niche in the kitchen or office steals a bit of unused space to hold items such as a wireless internet router. While the wall is open for creating the niche, why not use the opportunity to route in power for a charging station as well?
8. Mixed-Use Cabinets
Don’t like the look of a charging station, even behind closed doors? Put a small charging station within a mixed-use cabinet to distract from the “tech” look, and leave a few compartments free for your devices while allowing other shelves to hold attractive baskets, books or other items. This can be a great option for a mudroom, laundry room or entryway where you already need storage for other items, and the charging station is a great bonus.
Don’t like the look of a charging station, even behind closed doors? Put a small charging station within a mixed-use cabinet to distract from the “tech” look, and leave a few compartments free for your devices while allowing other shelves to hold attractive baskets, books or other items. This can be a great option for a mudroom, laundry room or entryway where you already need storage for other items, and the charging station is a great bonus.
9. Stand-Alone Cabinets
Keep in mind, a handy charging station doesn’t always have to be part of a built-in cabinet. A freestanding hutch or cabinet can be a great place to add a charging station without having to retrofit any existing cabinets.
Your turn: Got a smart solution for charging your devices? Share yours in the Comments.
More
Kitchen Storage: How to Store Your Kitchen Tools and Flatware
How to Get Your Pullout Waste and Recycling Cabinets Just Right
Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
More Resources on Houzz
Find a pro near you
Browse kitchen storage and organization products
Keep in mind, a handy charging station doesn’t always have to be part of a built-in cabinet. A freestanding hutch or cabinet can be a great place to add a charging station without having to retrofit any existing cabinets.
Your turn: Got a smart solution for charging your devices? Share yours in the Comments.
More
Kitchen Storage: How to Store Your Kitchen Tools and Flatware
How to Get Your Pullout Waste and Recycling Cabinets Just Right
Foolproof Storage Solutions for Corner Kitchen Cabinets
More Resources on Houzz
Find a pro near you
Browse kitchen storage and organization products
Hope Restoration is Central Ohio's only full-service, design/build general contractor capable of every facet of... Read More
What are you working on?
Related Products
Related Stories
Housekeeping
How to Clean Your Windows and Keep Them Streak-Free
Try these tips, tricks and tools to wash your windows so they’re crystal clear
Full Story
Housekeeping
Choose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full Story
Bathroom Workbook
How to Remodel a Bathroom
Create a vision, make a budget, choose your style and materials, hire the right pros and get the project done
Full Story
Monthly Home Checklists
To-Dos: Your April Home Checklist
Kick spring cleaning into high gear, and troubleshoot cooling and irrigation systems for the warmer months ahead
Full Story
Trending Now
The 10 Most Popular Kitchens So Far in 2024
Get inspired by the warm neutral palettes, ample storage and inviting islands in these most-saved new photos on Houzz
Full Story
Kitchen Backsplashes
Where to Start and Stop Your Backsplash
By tidgboutique
Consider these designer tricks to work around cabinets, windows and other features for a finished look in your kitchen
Full Story
Kitchen Workbook
How to Remodel Your Kitchen
Follow these start-to-finish steps to achieve a successful kitchen remodel
Full Story
Decluttering
10 Decluttering Projects You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less
Try these ideas to get organized at home one small step at a time
Full Story
Decorating Guides
7 Major Decorating Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
By tidgboutique
Gain confidence to start your interior design project with this advice from a professional designer
Full Story
Working With Pros
6 Reasons to Hire a Home Design Professional
Doing a construction project without an architect, a designer or a design-build pro can be a missed opportunity
Full Story
Am I the only one that thinks installing a charging station directly under an oven is a bad idea? I see a disaster in the making...
These are good measures to eliminate clutter with a place for everything and everything in its place.
Hello iowavette,
We too have the strips under the upper cabinets and love them - no plastic outlet boxes marring the carefully chosen backsplash. The island is another problem. Even a painted to match outlet will take away the furniture look of the island facing the dining room. Do you have a picture of your strip outlet under the granite? It sounds like the perfect solution for us. I'll see if code in our area lets us put an outlet in a drop down drawer, but the under the granite strip sounds the best.
We also have drawer charging stations in the master bedside tables (iPhone charging and ready to use from the bed) and in our drop zone, both are great for reducing clutter.