Last year I had a small conversion project that got a little out of control. It finally led me to convert my whole kitchen. This is a story for another day and another blog post. However, I am very grateful for some of the changes that come from this conversion, especially for our new DIY charging drawer.
I added much more drawers in the lower cupboards because they are so much more practical and usable. And in this way there is a lot of space. For the first time I had drawers for which I had no purpose. I remembered something that I had seen on Pinterest years ago when I created a loading drawer or a docking drawer.
This has now become one of our most frequently used drawers (probably immediately after the cutlery and spice drawer). I think it’s great that it has also led to healthier technical habits.
In this post I will guide you with a drawer I already had by creating a charging drawer. I will also explain why it is so important to keep our devices away from the bedroom. I will also tell how this little change has a major impact on the technical habits of our family.
Why it is important to keep devices away from the bedroom
First let’s talk about why a charging drawer in the kitchen or in a different common area-a Game-Changer is. Especially when it comes to your sleep hygiene and your general health. Many of us are guilty of bringing our phones into the bedroom, be it to check social media, to answer e -mails or (let’s be honest) through endless rollers. However, there are some important reasons why this may not be the healthiest choice.
The influence of the blue light on sleep
One of the most obvious reasons to avoid devices near your bed is the effect of blue light on sleep. The screens of telephones, tablets and other electronic devices emit blue light. This can affect melatonin production, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. Studies have shown that exposure to blue light before going to bed delay sleep, reduce sleep quality and make it more difficult to fall into a deep, restorative sleep.
By keeping your devices away from the bedroom, you can help your body naturally without disturbing artificial light. If you have ever scroll out on your phone before going to bed and then have problems falling asleep, you have experienced them first -hand. The solution? Hold your phones, tablets and other devices in a special cargo space outside the bedroom. Like the charging drawer that I created.
If you are not ready, we can do things. Examples of this are the applying of a red light filter on the phone and 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 the night tablets
Another problem with devices near your bed is the constant temptation to check it. Regardless of whether it is an urgent work -e mail, a text of a friend or the latest news update. This constant connectivity can lead to late -evening distractions, so that it wires and feel anxious instead of relaxed and calm.
With a loading drawer you can create a healthy border between your bedroom and the outside world. If you determine a firm rule that devices have to be charged in the kitchen or in another designated room, you will less frequently check them at night. This simple habit can improve your sleep quality and help you to be present with your family during the day.
Improved focus and connection
If your devices are hidden in a drawer, it is easier to concentrate on the present moment. For families, this means more time that spent times together without distractions from SMS, playing or scrolling. By having a designated area for chargers, we all encourage them to be intended when and how they use technology.
Now let’s talk about how I created this loading drawer and why it was such a game channel in our home.
How I created my DIY charging drawer
Creating a loading drawer in my kitchen was a relatively simple project, and it didn’t require many unusual tools or skills. I started with a drawer that I already had in my kitchen and transformed them into a functional and organized room for chargers with a few small adjustments. That’s how I did it!
Step 1: Find the right drawer
I had a drawer in my kitchen that was not used and a little disorganized, so I decided to change it for this project. Ideally, the drawer should be in a room that is easily accessible to the whole family, but not in a area with high trade, which can be a distraction. Our kitchen worked perfectly because it is nearby the daily activities of our family nearby, but it is not the place where we relax at night.
You don’t have to buy a new drawer – you can only find one that you already have in your kitchen, office or living room that does not fulfill a big purpose. If the drawer is too small or flat, you should consider swapping it for a deeper exchange that can absorb several devices.
Step 2: Install a power strip in the drawer
The magic happens here! The key to working a loading drawer is adding a power strip or an increase in the protection. In this way you can connect all of your devices in one place and organize everything and keep everything out of sight.
I chose a power strip that fits perfectly into the drawer, with enough sockets to charge several devices at the same time. It is important to select a power strip that has a long enough cable to reach the next edition. You also want to ensure the safety of your devices. Make sure that the power strip is positioned so that the air flow can prevent overheating. To achieve this, I wired a plug that was previously aligned on the side of a closet to see inside. As a result, the closet largely left open. It now stores garbage bags and large containers for the kitchen.
You can also add charging cables that are long enough to get comfortably 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 found strength strips that were specially developed for this. But with almost $ 300 I wanted to try a DIY option and I am glad that I did it.
Step 3: Add a silicone mat to protect the drawer
As soon as the power strip was installed, I added a silicone mat to the bottom of the drawer. This protects the surface and prevents devices from slipping around. Silicone mats are heat -resistant, not non -slip and easy to clean, which means that they are perfect for this type of project. They also add a nice touch of the organization, keep everything on the spot and look neat.
Step 4: Organize the cables and devices
Now comes the funny part: organize the cables and devices. I made sure that everything kept properly and accessible. This included the wraps of the cords and the use of small clips to behave from confusion. I also ensured that each device leaves enough space to rest comfortably when charging.
For our family, the loading drawer has become the contact person for telephones, iPads and other devices that need a fee. Everyone knows where they can insert their devices. It is also not necessary to look for chargers or to deal with who can first connect.
Our family’s loading routine and the screen time habits
Since we added the charging to our kitchen, it really helped us to establish healthy habits with regard to our use of devices. So we use it:
- Devices are charged in the kitchen overnight: We have made it a rule that phones, iPads and other devices have to be charged in the drawer overnight. This ensures that nobody is tried to check their devices late at night. And we wake up with fully charged devices that are ready for the coming day.
- No screens after darkness: We try to avoid screens after dark, especially in the or two hours before going to bed. With the charging drawer, it is much easier during this time to keep devices out of reach and understanding. This habit has contributed to improving our sleep quality, especially for the children.
- Technical detoxification: We also made it a habit to endure screens during the family meals. This has made dinner a more networked experience. We use this time to catch up, chat over our day and concentrate on each other without distractions.
Conclusion: the advantages of a DIY charging drawer
Adding a DIY charging drawer in our kitchen was one of the best things we did for the technical habits of our family. It is a simple solution that promotes healthier sleep, reduces distractions and promotes the more mindful use of our devices. By holding our phones and tablets in a special room, we have created better boundaries between technology and relaxation. It has also improved our general well -being.
If you are looking for a simple way to make your home organized and more technical-friendly, I strongly recommend setting up a DIY charging drawer. It doesn’t take much time and the advantages are absolutely worth it!
Happy lading, and here is healthier technical habits for the whole family!
What are your family’s rules and habits about equipment? Leave a comment and let us know!