• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
House of Hawthornes
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Budget Decor
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY
  • Gardening
  • Decorating
  • Thrifting
  • Seasonal
  • 🛒 Our Amazon Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » DIY And Crafts

    DIY Charging Station: Repurposed Thrift Store Find

    Published by Pam Kessler | 648 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. - 14 Comments

    I have the worst time with charging cords and electronics cluttering up my countertops.

    What started out with one or two cellphones being plugged in has turned into a mess of cords going every which way. I'm pretty sure they have wild parties at night and multiply like crazy when I'm sleeping!

    It's not only a crumby decorating dilemma, you're toast when you can't find the right cord. My solution was to go against the grain here and use a breadbox as a charging station because:

    • it looks like it belongs on my kitchen counter
    • it's nice and roomy
    • I can't stop repurposing thrift store finds

    OK, now I'm done with breadbox related puns. Not because I don't WANT to use more, I just can't THINK of any more.

    (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)

    Repurposing A Breadbox Into A DIY Charging Station

    DIY Charging Station Supplies:

    • Cool breadbox from the thrift store
    • Drill
    • Drill Bits
    • Step Drill Bit
    • Metal File (Half Round)
    • Power Strip w/ Surge Protector
    • Velcro Strips
    • Contact Paper
    • Appropriate safety gear - eye protection, gloves, etc

    Instructions:

    Thoroughly clean your breadbox. If it's grimy, discolored or basically OLD, you can use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice to get the grime off, if plain old dish soap and water won't do the trick.

    Drill a hole in the back of the breadbox large enough for the plug of the power strip to go through.

    My power strip had a 2 ft cord which was perfect, since I didn't want too much cord hanging out the back to clutter up the counter, yet it would be long enough to plug into the nearest outlet (a very important thing not to overlook).

    Use a very small drill bit to start a pilot hole.

    Then use a slightly larger drill bit to make the pilot hole larger.

    Finish it off with the step bit to make a hole large enough for the plug (remember the fat plug itself has to go through, not just the cord).

    World's worst photo of drilling a hole. You are welcome.

    File down any stainless steel shavings around the hole.

    Oh, and did I had shavings! This is what it looked like before I started using the metal file.

    You don't want to get jabbed by that!

    Use contact paper or shelf liner to line the bottom of the breadbox and as far up the back as you can get.

    Cut slits in the contact paper where the hole is and wrap the contact paper around the backside.

    Add velcro strips to the back of the power cord and adhere it to the inside back of the breadbox.

    I used the Command Strips I had on hand, which were rated to hold 12 pounds each and were total overkill. Smaller velcro strips would work just fine.

    Plug in the power strip and your electronics and get to charging!

    As a bonus, did you notice the vintage kitchen canisters in the first photo?

    Did you think they had baking supplies in them? Not at all, I use them for dog treats. No need to be confined to labels around here!

    DIY charging station organizer

    And if that wasn't exciting enough, my friends from the Thrift Store Decor Team have a few repurposes for you today also! Go check them out!

    Refresh Restyle - Vintage Wood Bowl DIY
    Petticoat Junktion - Metallic Spray Paint Makeover
    My Repurposed Life - Wind Chime Makeover
    My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia - Accent Table Makeover
    Sadie Seasongoods - "Retrending" From Country Decor To French Farmhouse
    Domestically Speaking - DIY Nautical Oar
    Our Southern Home - Chandelier To Lantern Makeover
    House Of Hawthornes - Breadbox Repurposing (that's me)

    Creative thrift store makeovers

    Other posts you may enjoy:

    DIY Earring Holder
    DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves
    Baking Soda Paint Thrift Store Makeover

    « Best Gardening Tools For Baby Boomers
    How To Grow Peonies - A Complete Guide »
    3.9K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Hubbell

      May 08, 2019 at 6:39 am

      That is super clever! Thank you! I will keep my eyes open this weekend for a similar item. I thought of your blog last weekend, when I tripped over an adorable vintage turquoise metal Remington typewriter I just had to bring home from a church sale. Happy hunting!

      Reply
    2. gail

      May 08, 2019 at 10:10 am

      Pam,

      That's an awesome bread box and you are so right, it looks right at home. I love the contact paper you used.

      pinned!

      Reply
    3. Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces

      May 08, 2019 at 10:26 am

      This is an awesome project, Pam! I so need to do something like this...you've inspired me! Pinning!

      Reply
    4. Maryann

      May 08, 2019 at 1:25 pm

      What a great idea!!! I need to search for one now.

      Reply
    5. Kristin salazar

      May 08, 2019 at 5:21 pm

      NO way, I love this! I was wondering what you were going to do with it! Great project.

      Reply
    6. Sarah Ramberg

      May 08, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      PERFECTION! So neat and clean, I love it!

      Reply
    7. Bev Regoulinsky

      May 08, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      That really is a super nice idea ! How did you even come up with such a useful idea ? I really like that !

      Reply
      • Pam Kessler

        May 09, 2019 at 8:28 am

        I actually bought it thinking it would look cute on my kitchen counter because it sort of looks vintage. But after I got it home I realized I really never have bread in the house! I was feeling a little stupid for buying it, but then realized I had tossed it on the kitchen counter right next to my jumbled cell phone charger cord mess. It just made sense to combine the two!

        Reply
    8. Leslie Schmidt

      May 08, 2019 at 9:50 pm

      This is really cool, Pam! I've never run across a breadbox, much less a metal one. It's a perfect solution for an annoying situation and a terrific blend of form and function. This is going on my Pinterest board called "Clever Crafters."

      Reply
      • Pam Kessler

        May 09, 2019 at 8:12 am

        Thank you! I find wooden ones ALL THE TIME, but have only found metal ones a few times.

        Reply
    9. Sheila

      May 11, 2019 at 10:55 am

      This is just awesome Pam! Super cute and oh, so handy!!

      Reply
    10. Michele M.

      May 12, 2019 at 1:01 am

      Brilliant.

      Reply
    11. Florence

      May 13, 2019 at 9:38 pm

      I love your bread box idea Pam! So clever & one I have to have when I can find the right bread box. I'm so sick of all the phones & cords scattered on the counter. This is brilliant, and the cannisters for dog treats aren't bad either. I definitely need those too.

      Reply
    12. Christy @ Our Southern Home

      May 14, 2019 at 12:34 pm

      This is so clever! I've seen several bread boxes that I've passed over lately! I need to find one.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Learn how to create a budget friendly home you'll love using repurposed thrift store finds, easy DIY & craft projects and seasonal gardening tips.

    Trending Content:

    • DIY Industrial Pipe Shelves
    • How To Grow Peonies - A Complete Guide
    • How To Paint A Front Door Without Removing It
    • Homemade Squirrel Repellent Recipe
    • DIY Earring Holder
    • How to Make A Penny Bowling Ball
    • Top 10 Thrift Store Shopping Tips
    • Blueberry Crostata Recipe
    • How To Make Winter Porch Pots
    • How To Grow Hydrangea In Pots

    About Me

    Pam Kessler | Author of House Of Hawthornes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Web Stories
    • Blog

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up For Emails & Updates

    Shop

    • Amazon Favorites
    • Shop The Look

    Please use appropriate safety precautions when attempting projects. All projects are attempted at the reader's own risk.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 House Of Hawthornes, LLC

    🍪 We use cookies to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    I Accept Read Privacy Notice
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non Necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.