Where’s my phone? Where’s my charger? (Entryway Organization)

Last week, I declared February “Entryway Month” (low dramatic voice) and showed off my custom shoe rack and the new spot for my wall organizer.  This week I’m finishing up “Entryway Month” (low dramatic voice, you know the one) with two more projects to streamline entry into our house.

As I said, our entryway is really only the space in our living room where the front door opens but the amount of things that need a convenient home here is neverending.  I already tackled the shoes, bills and coupons issues but of course there’s more (there’s always more!).

Today I’m resolving the phone issue.  My husband has two cell phones (one for work and one for home).  He generally is looking for either his phones, his chargers or an outlet.  We end up with phones, iPods or his iPad plugged in in random places (outlets are a hot commodity at our house, I have found the microwave unplugged so he can plug in his phones a number of times).  These electronics NEED a home.

As was the case with my wall organizer, I had the perfect organizational tool in the wrong place, getting little to no use.  Here’s my charging station in the bedroom, where you can see it’s not really working.I’m not sure why I even have this in my bedroom.  As you can see (before pics are always very embarrassing), it’s basically being used to hold up some cords.  The cords are not in the slots, there are no labels in the label holders, there is no real point to it here.  I’ve thought about getting rid of it but just hadn’t yet.

I’m glad I didn’t.  This charging station that was so ridiculously ineffective next to the bed is perfect for the entryway table.  Not only do I not have to buy anything new (I have plenty of stuff…that’s the problem), but I actually solve an organizational problem.  I added some tags for the different devices (phones, iPod, one for future use) and the iPad fits perfectly in the back slot(I misplaced the tray that’s supposed to go there – everything happens for a reason, right?).  I placed the power strip behind it (I read somewhere it gets too hot or something when you put it inside the station, plus it’d be impossible to fit in there) so it’s concealed yet easy to access (outlets are a hot commodity, remember?).

It’s so great when I find organizational pieces around the house that are not being used to their potential and find a purpose for them.  Check one more thing off the entryway organization list.

I’d love to hear how you organize your electronics.  Please leave your ideas and tips below and join the converation!