Last year, I had a small remodeling project that got a little out of hand. It eventually led to me remodeling my whole kitchen. That’s a story for another day and another blog post. However, I’m really grateful for some of the changes that came from this remodel, especially our new DIY charging drawer.
I added a lot more drawers in the bottom cabinets because they’re so much more practical and usable. And by doing so, freed up a lot of space. For the first time, I was left with drawers I didn’t have a purpose for. I remembered something I’d seen years ago on Pinterest about creating a charging drawer or docking drawer.
This has now become one of our most-used drawers (probably right after the silverware and spice drawers). I love that it’s led to healthier tech habits too.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how I created a charging drawer with a drawer I already had. I’ll also explain why it’s so important to keep our devices out of the bedroom. Plus I’ll share how this small change has made a big impact on our family’s tech habits.
Why It’s Important to Keep Devices Out of the Bedroom
First, let’s talk about why having a charging drawer in the kitchen—or another common area—is a game-changer. Especially when it comes to your sleep hygiene and overall health. Many of us are guilty of bringing our phones into the bedroom, whether it’s to check social media, answer emails, or (let’s be honest) scroll through endless reels. But there are some important reasons why this might not be the healthiest choice.
The Impact of Blue Light on Sleep
One of the most obvious reasons to avoid having devices near your bed is the effect of blue light on sleep. The screens of phones, tablets, and other electronic devices emit blue light. This can interfere with melatonin production, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Studies have shown exposure to blue light before bed can delay sleep onset, reduce sleep quality, and make it harder to fall into a deep, restorative sleep.
By keeping your devices out of the bedroom, you can help your body wind down naturally, without the interference of artificial light. If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling mindlessly on your phone before bed and then having trouble falling asleep, you’ve experienced this firsthand. The solution? Keep your phones, tablets, and other devices in a dedicated charging space outside the bedroom. Like the charging drawer I’ve created.
If you aren’t willing to do that, there are things we can do. Examples include putting a red light filter on the phone, wearing blue-light blocking glasses. You can also switch to something like the Daylight Computer (I love this for journaling and writing at night).
Reduce Late-Night Distractions
Another issue with having devices near your bed is the constant temptation to check them. Whether it’s an urgent work email, a text from a friend, or the latest news update. This constant connectivity can lead to late-night distractions, leaving you feeling wired and anxious instead of relaxed and ready for rest.
With a charging drawer, you can create a healthy boundary between your bedroom and the outside world. By setting a firm rule that devices must be charged in the kitchen or another designated space, you’ll be less likely to check them during the night. This simple habit can improve your sleep quality and help you be more present with your family during the day.
Improved Focus and Connection
When your devices are tucked away in a drawer, it’s easier to focus on the present moment. For families, this means more quality time spent together without the distractions of texting, gaming, or scrolling. By having a designated area for charging devices, we encourage everyone to be more intentional about when and how they use technology.
Now, let’s talk about how I created this charging drawer and why it’s been such a game-changer in our home.
How I Created My DIY Charging Drawer
Creating a charging drawer in my kitchen was a relatively simple project, and it didn’t require a lot of fancy tools or skills. I started with a drawer I already had in my kitchen, and with a few small adjustments, turned it into a functional and organized space for charging devices. Here’s how I did it!
Step 1: Find the Right Drawer
I had a drawer in my kitchen that was underused and a little disorganized, so I decided to repurpose it for this project. Ideally, the drawer should be in a space that’s easily accessible to the whole family but not in a high-traffic area where it could be a distraction. Our kitchen worked perfectly because it’s close to our family’s daily activities, but it’s not the place where we go to unwind at night.
You don’t need to buy a new drawer—just find one that you already have in your kitchen, office, or living room that’s not serving much of a purpose. If the drawer is too small or shallow, you might want to consider swapping it for a deeper one that can accommodate multiple devices.
Step 2: Install a Power Strip Inside the Drawer
This is where the magic happens! The key to making a charging drawer work is adding a power strip or surge protector inside the drawer. This allows you to plug in all your devices in one place, keeping everything organized and out of sight.
I chose a power strip that fit perfectly inside the drawer, with enough outlets to charge multiple devices at once. It’s important to select a power strip that has a long enough cord to reach your nearest outlet. You also want one with surge protection to ensure the safety of your devices. Make sure the power strip is positioned in a way that allows airflow to prevent overheating. To accomplish this, I re-wired a plug that used to be exterior facing on the side of a cabinet to be interior facing. This left the cabinet below largely open. It now stores garbage bags and large containers for the kitchen.
You can also add charging cords that are long enough to comfortably reach from the power strip to your devices. I recommend keeping a variety of cords for different devices—some for iPhones, some for Androids, and others for iPads or tablets.
I did find power strips specifically designed for this. But at almost $300 each, I wanted to try a DIY option and am glad I did.
Step 3: Add a Silicone Mat to Protect the Drawer
Once the power strip was installed, I added a silicone mat to the bottom of the drawer. This protects the surface and prevents any devices from slipping around. Silicone mats are heat-resistant, non-slip, and easy to clean, making them perfect for this kind of project. They also add a nice touch of organization, keeping everything in place and looking tidy.
Step 4: Organize the Cords and Devices
Now comes the fun part: organizing the cords and devices. I made sure to keep everything neat and accessible. This involved coiling the cords and using small clips to keep them from tangling. I also made sure to leave enough room for each device to rest comfortably while charging.
For our family, the charging drawer has become the go-to spot for phones, iPads, and any other devices that need a charge. Everyone knows where to plug in their devices. There’s also no need to search for chargers or battle over who gets to plug in first.
Our Family’s Charging Routine and Screen Time Habits
Since we added the charging drawer to our kitchen, it’s really helped us establish healthy habits around our device use. Here’s how we use it:
- Devices are charged overnight in the kitchen: We’ve made it a rule that phones, iPads, and other devices must be charged in the drawer overnight. This ensures no one is tempted to check their devices late at night. And we wake up with fully charged devices, ready for the day ahead.
- No screens after dark: We try to avoid using screens after dark, especially in the hour or two leading up to bedtime. With the charging drawer, it’s much easier to keep devices out of reach and out of mind during this time. This habit has helped improve our sleep quality, especially for the kids.
- Family-wide tech detox: We’ve also made it a habit to keep screens off during family meals. This has made dinner time a more connected experience. We use this time to catch up, chat about our day, and focus on each other without distractions.
Conclusion: The Benefits of a DIY Charging Drawer
Adding a DIY charging drawer to our kitchen has been one of the best things we’ve done for our family’s tech habits. It’s a simple solution that promotes healthier sleep, reduces distractions, and encourages more mindful use of our devices. By keeping our phones and tablets in a dedicated space, we’ve created better boundaries between technology and relaxation. It’s also improved our overall well-being.
If you’re looking for a simple way to make your home more organized and tech-friendly, I highly recommend setting up a DIY charging drawer. It doesn’t take much time, and the benefits are totally worth it!
Happy charging, and here’s to healthier tech habits for the whole family!
What are your family’s rules and habits around devices? Leave a comment and let us know!
