DIY Family Charging Station for All Your Devices

Time needed: 1 hour (minimum)

This efficient DIY charging station can be assembled in as little as an hour, assuming all materials are pre-cut and ready. However, if you opt to paint your pegboard for a custom look, as I did, allocate several additional hours for drying time and multiple coats.

1. Determine the ideal size and placement for your charging station.

   Begin by carefully assessing the number and type of electronic devices your family regularly uses – iPads, phones, smartwatches, headphones, and e-readers. Roughly measure the space you anticipate needing to comfortably accommodate all these items, considering both their physical dimensions and the necessary charging cables. It’s also crucial to factor in the overall scale and proportion of the charging station within its intended space. For instance, if you’re mounting it on a tall, ten-foot wall, a tiny charging station would appear disproportionate and easily get lost. Envision how the pegboard will integrate with the existing décor. Thinking about scale and proportion ensures your new charging hub is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. (This concept of choosing furniture and decor that is the proper scale and proportion for a space is a foundational principle taught extensively in Designer in a Binder, a resource I highly recommend!).

2. Select and securely hang your pegboard panels.

   For our project, we opted for metal pegboard due to its sleek appearance, enhanced durability, and the crisp, clean finish of its holes. We purchased six individual metal panels, each measuring 12 inches square, resulting in a total pegboard surface of 36 inches tall by 14 inches wide. The main drawback to this choice is the need to hang six separate panels, requiring careful alignment. If you prefer a simpler installation, a single large sheet of wood pegboard can be used instead, minimizing hanging effort. Regardless of your material choice, ensure that your pegboard kit includes wall spacers. These spacers are absolutely essential as they create a small gap between the pegboard and the wall, allowing room for hooks, bins, and most critically, the discreet routing of charging cables behind the board. You’ll notice in our design that I intentionally left a slight horizontal gap between each set of two metal panels—this strategic spacing will prove invaluable later for managing cords, a detail we’ll elaborate on in subsequent steps.

3. Paint your pegboard for a custom look, if desired.

   While painting your pegboard is an entirely optional step, it offers a wonderful opportunity for personalization. In our case, I chose to paint the pegboard to seamlessly blend it with a mural I had previously created on the wall, ensuring the charging station became an integrated part of the room’s aesthetic rather than a standalone utility item. If you decide to paint, choose a durable paint suitable for the pegboard material (e.g., metal or wood). A good primer will ensure better adhesion and a more even finish. Allow ample drying time between coats and before proceeding to the next steps. This attention to detail can elevate your DIY charging station from purely functional to a stylish organizational feature.

   

4. Attach your chosen pegboard bins, hooks, and accessories.

   Now comes the fun part of customizing your charging station! We specifically selected clear acrylic storage bins to hold our devices, and we couldn’t be happier with the choice. These bins offer a clean, modern aesthetic that looks far more expensive than they actually are – especially considering they often come in multi-packs, making the per-bin cost quite reasonable. Their transparency also allows for easy identification of devices. However, the world of pegboard storage is vast, offering countless options from wire baskets and plastic cups to specialized hooks for headphones or smartwatches. Choose accessories that best suit your family’s specific devices, organizational style, and the overall look you’re aiming for. Ensure the bins and hooks are securely fastened to the pegboard, ready to bear the weight of your electronics.

5. Integrate a USB charging tower within a suitable basket.

   To maintain a minimalist and clutter-free appearance, a key strategy is to minimize the visibility of power strips and excessive cords. I achieved this by neatly placing an inexpensive multi-port USB charging tower into a small, aesthetically pleasing basket that I’ve owned for years. This tower acts as the central power hub for multiple devices, reducing the need for numerous individual wall adapters. When selecting a bin or basket for your charging tower, look for one that has sufficient openings or holes (like woven designs or a discreet gap at the top) through which you can easily run the USB charging cables out to your devices. This hides the bulk of the power unit and its primary power cord, contributing significantly to the station’s tidy look.

   

6. Discreetly route charging cords from the tower to your devices.

   This step is crucial for achieving that coveted clean and organized aesthetic. Since our pegboard sits slightly off the wall due to the wall spacers, there’s a convenient channel behind it for cable management. I meticulously ran the individual charging cords from the USB tower behind the pegboard. When a cord reached the horizontal level of its corresponding device bin, I utilized the small horizontal gap I intentionally left between the pegboard panels to pull the cord through. From there, I ran the cord directly behind the specific acrylic bin it was intended for, ensuring only a minimal portion of the cord was visible as it connected to the device. If you’re using a solid wood pegboard, a simple alternative would be to drill small holes directly into the pegboard at strategic locations, large enough to feed your charging cords through to the bins, achieving a similarly neat appearance.

   

7. Organize and add your family’s electronic devices.

   With the structure complete and cords expertly routed, it’s time to populate your new family charging station. Our organizational strategy is simple yet effective: my girls store both their iPads and phones together in the same individual bin. Each of these bins is equipped with a single charging cord, as it’s rare for them to need to charge both devices simultaneously. Their wireless headphones, which require a different type of charger, each have their own dedicated bin and charging cord, ensuring specialized power access. I, being taller, conveniently store my iPad in the top-most bin. We even found an excellent use for an extra square bin, repurposing it for storing sunglasses that aren’t kept in our cars, demonstrating the versatility of the pegboard system. This systematic approach ensures every device has a clear home and charging spot.

   

8. Tame and secure any remaining visible cords.

   While much of the cabling is hidden behind the pegboard, you might still have some visible cords, particularly where the main power cord from the USB tower connects to an outlet, or if you have cords running down from the bottom of the pegboard. This final, optional step makes a significant difference in achieving a truly polished and professional look for your charging station. I utilized simple Command Cord Clips to neatly gather and secure any visible cords running along the wall beneath the pegboard. These clips are easy to apply and remove without damaging surfaces, allowing for a quick and effective way to tidy up the last remnants of cable clutter. This small detail ensures that your DIY charging station looks exceptionally clean and organized from every angle.