DIY Phone Stands: 16 Clever Holders You Can Make From Things Already at Home

DIY phone stands are the little craft everyone is suddenly making, and it is easy to see why. On October 15 a short reel showed a simple cardboard stand being cut, slotted and folded in under a minute, with a neat hole for the charging cable. It pulled about 884,000 reactions and 22,000 shares in less than two weeks. People loved that it was free and fixed a daily annoyance. No more leaning your phone on a cereal box during video calls or recipes. With the holidays coming, a handmade stand also makes a sweet, cheap stocking stuffer. Here are 16 clever holders you can make from things already sitting around your home..

DIY Phone Stands Made From Things You Already Own

Look around your house and you probably have everything you need for a phone stand already. Cardboard, wine corks, clothespins, a scrap of wood or even a binder clip can hold your phone at the perfect angle. That is exactly why one simple cardboard stand video went wild this month. You can watch the original cardboard phone stand reel to see how fast it comes together. Which one will you make first..

You will need: Cardboard, scissors, glue and a few odds and ends from your junk drawer.

How to make it: 1. Pick a stand from the list that matches what you have. 2. Measure your phone so the slot fits. 3. Test the angle before the glue sets.

The Viral Slotted Cardboard Stand

This is the one that started it all. Two pieces of sturdy cardboard slot together like a puzzle, and a little round hole at the bottom lets the charging cable pass right through. Nothing to glue, nothing to buy. The reel showing it pulled about 884,000 reactions and 22,000 shares in under two weeks after it was posted on October 15. It works for video calls, recipes and watching shows in bed. Could anything be cheaper?

You will need: Corrugated cardboard from a shipping box, a ruler, a pencil and a craft knife with a cutting mat for an adult.

How to make it: 1. Draw two matching shapes with a slot in each. 2. Have an adult cut them out on a cutting mat. 3. Punch a cable hole near the bottom and slide the pieces together.

DIY Phone Stands for the Kitchen: A Cardboard Triangle

If you cook from recipes on your phone, this little triangle is a lifesaver. Fold a strip of cardboard into a triangle, tape the ends, and fold up a small lip at the front so the phone cannot slide. It keeps your screen up off the flour and away from splashes. When it gets messy, toss it and fold a new one in a minute. Doesn’t that beat leaning your phone on the sugar jar?

You will need: A strip of cardboard about 4 inches wide, a ruler and strong tape.

How to make it: 1. Score the strip into three equal parts plus a small lip. 2. Fold it into a triangle and tape the seam. 3. Fold the lip up at the front to hold the phone.

The Binder Clip Trick

Some DIY phone stands take about two seconds, and this is one of them. Grab a big binder clip, flip the silver arms out so they point backward, and rest your phone in the jaws. The arms become legs and the clip holds the phone at a comfy angle. It is a great trick at work or when you travel, since the clip folds flat in your bag. Two clips side by side will even hold a small tablet. Who knew office supplies could be this handy?

You will need: One or two large binder clips.

How to make it: 1. Open the clip and fold both metal arms back. 2. Set it on the table with the arms as legs. 3. Rest the phone sideways in the clip.

Clothespins and a Craft Stick Base

Wooden clothespins are cheap, strong and easy to glue, which makes them great for DIY phone stands. Glue two of them standing up on a base of craft sticks, and the phone rests between them. You can paint the clothespins in bright colors or leave them natural for a farmhouse look. This is a great one to make with kids, since there is no cutting at all. What colors would you paint yours?

You will need: Two wooden clothespins, six craft sticks, wood glue and paint if you like.

How to make it: 1. Glue the craft sticks side by side to make a base. 2. Glue two clothespins upright near the back edge. 3. Let it dry overnight, then paint.

Wine Cork Phone Stands

If you have a jar of saved wine corks, here is a use for them. Glue three corks side by side, then have an adult cut a shallow slit down the middle with a serrated knife. The phone slides into the slit and stands upright. Corks are soft, so they will not scratch your screen. Make a few and give them as small gifts to friends who love wine. How many corks are hiding in your kitchen drawer?

You will need: Three wine corks, hot glue on a low setting with an adult, and a small serrated knife for an adult.

How to make it: 1. Glue the corks side by side and let them cool. 2. Have an adult cut a slit along the top. 3. Slide your phone into the slit.

A Toilet Paper Roll Speaker Stand

This one is fun and it really works. Cut a slot in the side of a toilet paper roll, slide your phone in, and the sound comes out louder through the tube. Push a paper cup onto each end and it gets even louder, like a tiny speaker. Kids think it is magic. Paint the roll any color you like. It is perfect for music while you clean or cook. Will you try it with your favorite song?

You will need: A toilet paper roll, two paper cups, paint and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut a slot in the middle of the roll as long as your phone’s bottom edge. 2. Cut a hole in each cup and slide them on the ends. 3. Paint and dry, then add the phone.

DIY Phone Stands From a Scrap Wood Block

A chunky block of scrap wood makes one of the nicest DIY phone stands you can give. An adult cuts an angled groove across the top with a saw, then you sand it smooth and rub in a little stain or oil. It looks like something from a gift shop, but it costs nothing if you have scraps. It is heavy, so it never tips over. Doesn’t it look perfect next to a morning cup of coffee?

You will need: A scrap block of wood about 4 inches long, a hand saw for an adult, sandpaper and wood stain or oil.

How to make it: 1. Have an adult cut a groove at a slight angle. 2. Sand all the edges smooth. 3. Rub in stain or oil and let it dry.

A Popsicle Stick Easel

An easel shape is the classic way to hold up a picture, and it works just as well for a phone. Glue popsicle sticks into a tall A shape, add a crossbar for the phone to sit on, and glue a back leg so it stands. Paint it in soft pastels or bold colors. It makes a sweet little stand for a desk or a craft table. Kids can build it with white glue and a bit of patience. Want to make a matching pair?

You will need: About eight popsicle sticks, wood glue and acrylic paint.

How to make it: 1. Glue two sticks into an A and add a crossbar. 2. Glue a ledge across the bottom for the phone. 3. Glue on a back leg, let it dry and paint.

An Old Cassette Case Stand

Remember cassette tapes? Their clear plastic cases make surprisingly good DIY phone stands. Open the case all the way and flip it over so it forms a little tent. The phone rests in the groove on top. That is it. It is a fun retro trick and a great way to use those old cases sitting in a box in the garage. Kids are always amazed by it. Do you still have a box of old tapes somewhere?

You will need: One empty cassette tape case.

How to make it: 1. Open the case fully until it bends back. 2. Flip it so it stands like a tent. 3. Rest your phone in the groove.

Air Dry Clay Terrazzo Stand

Clay lets you shape DIY phone stands in any style you like. Roll a thick slab of air dry clay, fold up the front into a lip and press a groove for the phone. Let it dry for a day, then paint on little speckles in pink, blue and gray for a trendy terrazzo look. Seal it with clear varnish. It feels like a piece of pottery but needs no kiln at all. Which colors match your room?

You will need: Air dry clay, a rolling pin, acrylic paint, a small brush and clear varnish.

How to make it: 1. Roll a thick slab and fold the front up into a lip. 2. Press a groove with your phone’s edge and let it dry. 3. Paint speckles and seal.

A Cozy Crochet Covered Stand

If you crochet or knit, covering DIY phone stands is a lovely way to use up leftover yarn. Make a simple rectangle cover and slip it over a sturdy cardboard or wood stand. Add a pom pom for fun. It looks soft and cozy on a nightstand, and the yarn protects your phone. Make one in holiday colors and it becomes a sweet stocking stuffer. Who on your list would love a cozy one?

You will need: Leftover yarn, a crochet hook, a cardboard or wood stand to cover and a small pom pom.

How to make it: 1. Crochet a rectangle that wraps around the stand. 2. Stitch the sides closed over the stand. 3. Sew the pom pom on top.

DIY Phone Stands for Recipes: Spoon and Clothespin

Here is a kitchen hack many grandmas would love. Stand a wooden spoon handle down in a jar of dried beans or rice, clip a clothespin to the spoon, and rest the phone against it with the clip holding the top. It keeps your recipe at eye level while you cook. When you are done, the jar goes back in the pantry. Of all the DIY phone stands here, this one takes the least time. Isn’t that clever?

You will need: A heavy jar, dried beans or rice, a wooden spoon and a clothespin.

How to make it: 1. Fill the jar with beans. 2. Push the spoon in handle first so it stands tall. 3. Clip the clothespin on and rest the phone against it.

A Painted Stand as a Stocking Stuffer

DIY phone stands make perfect small gifts, and almost everyone uses one. Paint a simple wooden stand in red and white stripes or a soft color, then tie it with a ribbon and slip it into a stocking. It is great for teachers, coworkers or grandparents who video call the family. Make a batch in one afternoon and your gift list gets a lot shorter. Who would you surprise with one this year?

You will need: Small wood or cardboard stands, acrylic paint, painter’s tape and ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Tape off stripes and paint the stand. 2. Let it dry, then add a clear coat. 3. Tie with ribbon and add a gift tag.

A Sticker Covered Kids Stand

Kids love making things they will actually use, and this one is perfect for a tablet or phone during family calls. Fold a cardboard triangle stand, then hand it over with stickers, stars and washi tape. Let them go wild. It becomes their own special stand. It is also a great rainy day craft. For more ideas, see our cardboard box crafts. What would your kids put on theirs?

You will need: Cardboard, strong tape, stickers and washi tape.

How to make it: 1. An adult folds and tapes a cardboard triangle stand. 2. Kids cover it in stickers and tape. 3. Fold a lip at the front to hold the phone.

DIY Phone Stands With a Pen Cup

If your desk is always messy, combine two jobs in one. Glue a small cup or a short block with a hole onto a wooden base, then cut a groove for the phone beside it. Now your pens and your phone have a home. Paint it sage green or any color you like. This is one of the most useful DIY phone stands because it clears the clutter too. Where would you put yours?

You will need: A wooden base, a small cup or tin, wood glue, paint and a saw for an adult to cut the groove.

How to make it: 1. Have an adult cut a phone groove in the base. 2. Glue the cup to one side. 3. Paint the whole piece and let it dry.