Plug into Creativity: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Book Phone Charging Station

Smartphones are such an integral part of our lives and let’s be honest, dead battery anxiety is a real thing! We love taking our literary world into every aspect of our lives and creating something unique, stylish and book-inspired always seems like a great option! Which reminds us, make sure to check out our incredible book phone cases in our boutique!

Why settle for a boring, conventional charging station when you can have a brilliant book phone charging station? It’s a creative project that combines functionality with your love for books! It is also a great family activity, and we know every member will come up with something unique and personalized that reflects their bookish personality.

If you were a phone charging station, what book would you be? What genre or author best reflects you?

So sit back and relax; we’re going to get crafty!

Do-it-yourself Crafts: The Ultimate Bookish Phone Charging Stations

Creating the ultimate bookish phone charging station is easy-peazy, lemon-squeezy! Grab your materials and unleash that creative bookworm!

Just remember patience is key. This project requires precision and patience, so take your time with each step and don't be afraid to experiment with different books, sizes, and designs. 

The more you practice, the better your charging stations will become!

Materials Needed

• A fabulous old hardcover book
• A craft knife 
• A ruler
• A pencil
• Sandpaper
• A hot glue gun
• Mod Podge (or any other craft glue)
• A phone charger with a detachable cable
• A drill, with a bit slightly larger than your charging cable

Now for the fun part!

Instructions

Step 1: Choose the Right Book

The first step is selecting the perfect book for your project—this may just be a fabulous opportunity to head to your local thrift store or yard sale, as once you start, there’s no going back. 

You must choose a hardcover book with a sturdy spine and a size that can comfortably accommodate your phone. 

Step 2: Prepare the Book

Next, open the book and flip to the first page you want to cut. This typically should be a few pages into the book so that you maintain the integrity of the cover. Grab your pencil and ruler and draw a rectangle slightly larger than your phone on the page—this rectangle will be the guide for cutting out the phone slot. If you prefer, you can even make a template that you can use multiple times.

Step 3: Cut Out the Phone Slot

Now, carefully cut along the pencil lines with your craft knife. You will need to cut through multiple pages, so take your time and work slowly to avoid tearing the pages. We recommend periodically testing the fit by placing your phone in the slot. Keep cutting as many pages as are needed for your phone to fit snugly into the book.

Step 4: Sand the Edges

Once you have completed the phone slot, you can use sandpaper to smooth the edges of the cut pages if necessary. 

Step 5: Secure the Pages

We need to ensure that the pages stay together and don’t move, so it’s time to apply a generous layer of Mod Podge or craft glue to the edges of the cut-out section. Be sure to cover all the sides evenly. Once completed, simply close the book and press it down with a heavy object or clamp to ensure the pages stay together as the glue dries. You must allow it to dry completely, which usually takes a few hours.

You can also use Mod Podge to seal the edges of the cut pages, giving them a glossy finish and added durability!

Step 6: Create the Charging Cable Slot

While the glue is drying, you can prepare the slot for the charging cable. You will need to decide where you want the cable to exit the book. It’s entirely up to you, but for easy access, this will typically be at the bottom center of the book. Mark the perfect spot with your pencil.

Grab your drill, using a drill bit slightly larger than your charging cable, and carefully drill a hole through the cover and the pages. You need to ensure the hole is clean and smooth, as this will be the path for your charging cable.

Step 7: Insert the Charging Cable

Once the hole has been drilled, you should be able to easily feed the charging cable through it from the outside of the book to the inside. Make sure your cable fits snugly but can still move freely.

Step 8: Secure the Charging Cable

You want your charging cable to stay secure and in place, which can be done simply with your hot glue gun. Apply a small amount of glue around the cable where it exits the book—this will prevent the cable from slipping back into the book and, most importantly, ensure you have a stable connection.

Step 9: Add Final Touches

With the cable in place and the pages securely glued, it’s time to add any final touches. You can go the extra mile and decorate your book, personalize it, or simply sit back and admire your handiwork!

Conclusion

Creating a book phone charging station is so much fun! Not only will it keep your phone charged, but it also adds a unique touch to your home décor and we love how it blends seamlessly with other books on your shelf or nightstand.

Speaking of home décor, make sure to check out our boutique for the ultimate bookish décor you won’t want to miss! We have everything from book-inspired plates and glasses to beautiful beach towels. Bookish heaven! Happy crafting and reading, and if you’re on the lookout for the ultimate book box subscription, make sure to subscribe so you never miss that Once Upon a Book Club magic!