Device-free dinner made easy with these 4 ideas

A dinner sans phones, tablets and devices? It’s possible. Hopefully, without a lot of kicking and screaming.

We’re spending more and more time on our devices, scrolling, browsing and socialising. Even at dinner time, when families gather around the table.

What if there’s a spot for everyone to check-in their devices before they come for dinner? Here are 4 ways to set up for a device-free dinner.

Photo: SimpleGesturesStudio | Get this on Etsy

#1 Hang it up

Rachel’s family does not eat with their phones on the table. She used the FJANTIG towel hooks, and now everyone hang their phones before dinner.

#2 Time to recharge

While you rest from your phone, it’s also time for it to recharge. Dock and charge up at the same time. There are lots of ways to hack a simple and economical charging station using IKEA items.

One of my favourites is the OSTBIT plate holder. Combined with a KVISSLE cable management box or any other box, it’s a versatile charging station with slots for all sorts of devices — phones, tablets and powerbanks. See the tutorial.

#3 Make it a display

We seem to adore our phones, so why not put it on show?

The IKEA picture ledges are ideal for this. Install the ledges on a suitable nook and place artwork, magazines and your devices to complete the set up.

Bonus! Add powerpoints to charge them up.

Photo: D2 Interieurs on HGTV

#4 Box it

Some restaurants practise this. They provide a pretty box for you to stash your phone for a no-phone-distraction-free meal. Why not do this at home too?

Photo: Mark Love | Buy on Etsy

You can do the same with an IKEA box such as the MALLGRODA round box with lid, DRAGAN bamboo boxes, GLIS boxes or LUSTIGKURRE bamboo baskets with lid. Check the sizes of your phones and get the right sized box, either to store multiple phones in one box or individual phones.

Photo: IKEA.com

What other great ideas do you have for a device-free dinner? Share with us in the comments below.

The post Device-free dinner made easy with these 4 ideas appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

SKÅDIS: 5 ways to make the IKEA pegboard even better

IKEA introduced its own pegboard system, SKÅDIS, two years ago and I’d say it’s one of the best systems IKEA launched in recent years. I love how super customisable it is, with a growing range of accessories that help keep things organized. It works everywhere, in your wardrobe to bathroom . Probably anywhere you have a flat surface to hang it up. Photo: IKEA.com SKÅDIS pegboard system See it on IKEA.com But no matter how perfect a system, you can trust IKEA hackers to improve on the SKÅDIS. And they’ve settle these 5 issues you may have faced with the handy IKEA pegboard. Read on for their fixes. 5 IKEA SKÅDIS issues and fixes #1 Expensive hooks? You’ll need quite a number of hooks and accessories to fill up the SKÅDIS pegboard, and Kenyer was shocked at how quickly they all added up. So he figured he could make his own hooks to save cost. Photo: Kenyer Over at Instructables , he shows us how to twist copper wires into the SKÅDIS hook shape. It works s...

KALLAX desk ideas: Three ways to set up a workstation

Three great ideas for a KALLAX desk . #1 Compact, minimalist desk for laptop I put together a KALLAX desk for my laptop for just under 25 euros. Just a KALLAX 2×2 is needed. No other materials required. IKEA item used: KALLAX 2 x 2 (77 x 77 cm) KALLAX 2×2 | IKEA.com All you need to do is assemble 3 of the pieces in a U shape. That is all. If you want to strengthen the structure you would need to drill a couple of holes in order to use the long middle shelf of the KALLAX unit as a back reinforcer. Easy and it works. ~ by Fabio Tudela #2 KALLAX standing desk I choose to stand at work because it makes me feel infinitely more productive. Our department recently moved into a new building and we had the opportunity to design our own spaces. Items Used: VIKA AMON / TORNLIDEN table top x 2 (discontinued, replaced by LINNMON ) KALLAX 4 cube x 2 KALLAX drawer unit x 2 8 – 3″ locking casters / wheels 1 – 6′ zinc brace I had a few VIKA AMON tables ...

Hackers Help: How to remake cam lock holes?

I want to put a 78.5” wide PAX configuration in a 77” space for a kids room . My plan is to eliminate the drawer on the right unit, then cut the shelves and rails to be 1.5” narrower. My question is, how do people attach two laminated pressboard IKEA pieces after they’ve cut off the cam lock holes? Related: See more Hackers Help questions and answers . Are they using drills bits and/or tiny hole saws to remake the cam lock holes? Or screws drilled in from the outside with wood glue? The outside pieces won’t be visible in my completed setup so I could go either way. I’m curious what other people are doing, either I haven’t seen this detail in past hacks or I haven’t been paying attention. ~ by Jenny *** Hi Jenny The best and tidiest method is to use the cut-off portion as a template to reproduce the same cam lock holes in the correct positions. The right sized drill bits and a Forstner bit should do the trick. A Forstner bit will drill a flat-bottomed hole (...

Martin Cooper

Search This Blog