Unique DIY cookbook & tablet stand (IKEA hack)

This cookbook stand DIY is so adorable but also super easy in execution. It all started when I found this bitten-up old IKEA cutting board. It was not very usable, but I had an idea for it in mind.

It's all about giving items that second life they deserve😄

I made this DIY cookbook stand and will give it as a gift! I think it's very thoughtful and I'm sure your cooking-loving friend would appreciate it! It's so convenient - you can put your tablet, cookbook, or phone on it and fold it to put it away when not using.

I love when functionality meets design and this is exactly the case!

It's extremely customizable since you can use a newer board and get less of a rustic look but more modern.

Let me walk you through this process of how to make this DIY cookbook stand.

Cost: $5

Time: 1 hour

Level: beginner

Materials

Old Cutting board ( I used an old IKEA board)
Small hinges
Scrap wood 1x2"x6."
Paint (optional)

How to make a cookbook / iPad stand

1. Make support for a phone or book.

You have a few options on how to do it. The first one is using a router and second to use molding.

Option 1. Using a router.

I used a Dremel plunge router. Take a scrap board and with a round bit, go over an edge, creating a rabbet cut. With a bit of practice, it's not that complicated. Just make sure that you secure your board very well to the table to move around.

Adjust the router and make a guide to make sure it's even.

Pro Tip: when cutting rabbet, make sure that it can fit your phone!! I made mine, and it is too narrow, and the phone doesn't fit inside, especially with the case. Oops! It still can be on top of this board, but not in between.😬 well, not everything goes perfectly when you make things. Sometimes you need to embrace imperfections!

Option 2.

The second option, the easier one, is to use a cove molding or shoe molding.

You'd simply need to cut it and glue it to the board.

I'll be honest with you; this idea came to me after I finished my saga with the router. I wish I thought about it before😁

2. Glue the support for the phone to the board. I used wood glue, and I think it's enough since it won't hold anything heavy. Use clamps to hold it all together while it's drying. These clamps are my absolute favorite, and I highly recommend them in any beginner workshop.

3. From scrap wood, cut a small plank at a 30-degree angle. It will be acting support for the stand.

Adjust the height of it. The best way to measure it is to lean the board a bit towards the table and trace a line with a pencil on the board. Then take it to the miter-saw and cut at an appropriate angle. The angle of the cut would depend on how close to the table you want it to lean.

4. Using small hinges, attach it to the board with an angled side to lean towards the table.

Always make sure that you are placing it in the right position and at a right angle. I wish I gave myself this advice before as well 😁

Ways to decorate the cookbook stand

The options are of course, endless!

You can stain the board to make it rustic; you can paint it white and distress it after to make a farmhouse look.

Or can you paint it bright color instead? If you follow me on Instagram, you already know what I chose 😁

Since the board was in a bit of a "bitten up" shape, I didn't want to stain it and painted it instead. I used "saffron thread by Behr and banana mania for the front trim.

Pro tip: if you are planning on painting this thing from the beginning, then do that before assembling all the parts. I was too eager to see the final result and didn't think about painting it before the attached hinges. This way, I ended up with an extra step of taping the hinges.

I also got carried away and painted a simple flower on it. I love it!

Add a jute twine to be able to hang it and you are done!

PIN IT so you can make it

I think it turned out amazing! I know a couple of people who would love to get something like this as a present! And we saved an old item that was about to be thrown away! Amazing!

Check out my other ideas for DIY gifts. Hopefully you'll get inspired!

Let me know in the comments below what you are planning with the board if you make one!

If you'd prefer to buy:

I know that some of you come to my blog for inspiration but would rather purchase something similar than making it yourself. I've got you covered! Here are some options to purchase!

Pdf course, I'd go to Etsy.

I love this one because it also has a conversion chart. How cute is it?