Skip to main content

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.

device free dinner picture

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.

device free dinner hooks
#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.

charging station
#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.

picture ledges

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?

device free dinner box

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.

IKEA boxes

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

Popular posts from this blog

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 ...

Amped up KURA bed with drawers and safety rail

We saw other KURA beds with storage drawers underneath on this site. So, we also wanted the same — to make space for LEGO s and wooden trains under the bed. We installed the additional headboard panels because the configuration of the room and the location of the windows in the room meant that we wanted the children’s heads on the right and the ladder on the left. The KURA plans did not seem to allow this configuration, though I have seen online that there are models of this bed from 2003 that allowed more options for setup. Additional safety features Safety rail panel for the lower KURA bed helps our two year old feel secure, as he just transitioned from a crib directly to this bunk. Likewise metal handles on the ladder. They added a lot of confidence for both the five-year-old and the two-year-old when climbing up to the top bunk. We are aware that the bunk is now even higher than before and both children are under 6. Use caution and common sense before making these modifi...