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Chic Charging Stations For Under $100

GeekSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:43:08 -0700

Yep. Charging stations are still everywhere. Made popular with the advent of the iPod and iPhone, these electrical gadget organizers allow you to gas up all your handhold gadgets in a pretty box, carrier or covert device. There are questionable setups (you know the kind that inspire more laughs than juice), easily replicated stations (you know the ones you shouldn't buy 'cause you can DIY) and then there are a handful that are worth your change.

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Charge It! Go Eco With the Bamboo Charging Station

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:30:43 -0700

If you're rolling solo, it's likely that you won't need a gadget charging station that holds more than a few mobile gadgets that you use daily (i.e., your phone, iPod or MP3 player, and point-and-shoot camera), so why spend your hard earned money on something you don't need?

Instead, check out the eco friendly and geek chic Bamboo Charging Station that has been marked down from $46 to $30. Cool thing is, the station can live on your desk, or hang on your wall to maximize space and create a modern decorative feature on your wall, even when your gadgets aren't being juiced.

Hook Up Crate and Barrel's Travel Charging Station

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:33:53 -0700

Charging stations are becoming more and more ubiquitous - their advantage being the organization they provide. So why not apply the idea to a time when you really need to be organized - when you're on the road traveling?

Crate and Barrel has your travel gadget solution: its new Travel Charging Station ($30). A great, simple idea, the cushioned nylon bag will hold about three gadgets, so you don't have to deal with cords and cables strewn around your hotel room.

Just hope there are enough outlets available.

Rattan Charging Station: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:35:06 -0700

Very interesting - used to be, we only saw charging stations made of wood or plastic, but now it seems you can get the useful organizing hubs in natural materials as well - not everyone was into the Seagrass Charging Station, but it's a novel use of material.

Pottery Barn is in on the action too, with its new Woven Rattan Charging Station ($49).

The natural willow reed encloses the charging strip, while your gadgets sit in the front of the basket. It's different, for sure, but it also reminds me too much of my mom's '80s wicker furniture obsession.

What do you think?

My 10 Favorite Charging Stations

GeekSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:00:13 -0800

For the past several months, I've been on a mission to keep my cords neat, and my gadgets charged. Although my quest for the ultimate charging station may never end (which may lead to my white flag of surrender, and leave me embracing the visible cord way of living), you may find a charging station in this slideshow that completely fits your needs. Check out some of my favorite charging stations ever in this slideshow. Did I mention that a charging station would make an awesome gift? I'm sure I did.

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Floral Charging Station: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:30:43 -0700

I had no idea Laura Ashley was making charging stations. Just kidding. But this Floral Charging Station ($165) at Neiman Marcus reminds me of the '90s designer who loved - I mean, really loved - her florals.

This flowery place to store your gadgets could fit right into a shabby chic interior, but even there, it could be too saccharine. Love it? Make sure any testosterone in your living space is aware of what's about to house his very manly gadgets.

Would you buy this?

Shoe Rack and Charging Station Combo: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:46:16 -0700

The only thing that bothers me about charging stations is that they take up valuable real estate in your home and only provide one service: charging.

But this new design, called Central Station by Christian Lessing, combines a shoe rack and a charging station. This would be perfect for an entryway; imagine walking in and winding down by unloading your cell phone and freeing your feet.

There's no pricing information yet, but a foyer landing strip for all your essentials? Pretty priceless. What do you think? Are you enamored like I am, or will you keep looking?

Blueprint's DIY Charging Station Blueprint (Teehee)

GeekSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:30:40 -0700

When the legendary though short-lived Blueprint magazine folded, I mourned the loss of another favorite. Not only was Blueprint, a Martha Stewart title, the one magazine I felt that was really made for me, by people like me, but it recognized the three-dimensional female life.

Specifically, Blueprint knew that modern girls are gadget girls - in its inaugural issue, it won me over with this: DIY instructions for a charging station. An attractive, expensive (not DIY-looking at all, incidentally) charging station (perhaps you are familiar with my search).

So I present to you, the instructions for this fabulous charging station, now on Martha Stewart's website (Blueprint's site has gone MIA, but its awesome blog offshoot Bluelines remains).

A note about the suggested boxes for the project: The Container Store no longer has the specific Library Project cases on their website, but still has this striped version; I prefer the look of the solid-color library project cases, so perhaps these office storage boxes or these paper drawers can be adapted. Happy DIYing!

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Grass Charging Station: It's a Jungle in There

GeekSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:33:54 -0700

Shot of wheatgrass, anyone? Though I highly doubt that the "grass" in this Charging Station ($27) is actually real, the description doesn't say otherwise, leaving my imagination to run wild. Wild as that crazy grass.

You know what's really crazy? I don't hate it. In fact. . . I might even like it!

Look how the grass blades keep your gadgets upright while they're doing their charging business. The cords are hidden, and it looks like you have a little oasis in your apartment. Am I alone here?

Tree of Charge: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:44:02 -0700

Is the Tree of Charge a novelty charging station, or a brilliant piece of practical art?

Not unlike the Grass Charging Station, Radius's tree (about $98) uses an organic motif for a modern need - a place to store and organize charging gadgets.

The tree's branches also accommodate plenty of other little accessories you dispense with when you come home, like keys and jewelry, so its footprint ends up being less about gadgets and more about organization in general.

What do you think of the tree? Clever and useful, or would you stick to inexpensive or DIYed hubs?