Homemade charging stations make for great DIY projects, because they only require a basic skill level to assemble. That said, you ought to know a few things to make an effective and well-rounded nightstand charger that keeps quiet while you sleep.

Having gadgets and devices all over the house connected to various outlets is no fun, which is why we're always keen to highlight designs for charging stations. This IKEA-based design one is affordable, mounts to your wall, and keeps everything out of the way while charging.

This DIY project proves a bread box can be useful for more than just hiding bread. Conceal messy cords and the ugly power strip in this unusual charging station for all your gadgets.

We've previously featured charging stations built from IKEA shelves, a bath container and crate. Here's yet another variation, this time using a salad bowl.

There's no need to pay the electric company to charge your small electronics when you've got a portable solar charger on hand. Learn how to turn some cheap solar panels and a Tupperware container into a solar charging station.

Charging stations, night stands, and lamps are all useful things, but combining them into one handy, multipurpose item saves you space and is just pretty cool. Here's a neat DIY creation that does just that.

Giving your cell phone or iPod a semi-permanent, clever-looking home on your wall doesn't have to cost more than a couple of bucks. A used shampoo bottle and some basic tools are all that's needed for MAKE's outlet-mounted "charging pocket."

Rob was sick of misplaced chargers, scattered electronics, and the hunt for outlets to plug his gear in. Inspired by the charging stations he'd seen on Lifehacker, he built a spacious one for himself by turning a computer cabinet into a spacious charging station. After doing a little spring cleaning to get the clutter out of the cabinet, he secured several charging strips along the back of it to provide adequate power for all his gadgets. A small sheet of foam made for a soft surface to put his gadgets on, without them sliding or getting scratched up. The real geek cred, however, comes from the automatic lights. He already had the cabinet, so the additional outlay was minimal.