iPad stand | easy Thrift Store Decor project
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I’ve seen a lot of my blogger friends make an iPad stand. I’ve wanted to make one for a long, long time. Have you been looking for an easy way to make your own iPad stand for your kitchen? I was talking to my daughter Jamie about it, and she came up with the best idea of making the iPad stand sit on the counter without falling over. She was talking about using a picture frame for the iPad stand…. but that made it become a light bulb moment for me.
Let’s take a look at this easy iPad stand project.
Thrift Store Cutting Boards

I bought two cutting boards for a dollar in Bowling Green at Grandma’s Attic, so using one of them for this month’s Thrift Store Décor project was a no-brainer.
Materials for DIY iPad Stand

What you’ll need to make this easy iPad stand for your kitchen.
- Thrift Store cutting board
- Scrabble tile holder
- small picture frame
- Minwax stain (I used Dark Walnut)
- rag
- Minwax Polyurethane
- cheap chip brush
- nail gun
- Gorilla Glue Construction Adhesive
- vinyl image of your choice
- Hem Guide (optional)
How to Apply Vinyl with a Hem Guide

Jamie recommended that I do a negative stencil with the word “yum,” staining over the vinyl and allowing the letters to be the original light-colored wood. Sometimes, I like to use painter’s tape as a transfer tape. The hem guide helps center the word on the upcycled cutting board iPad stand.

I applied the vinyl word yum that I cut out of contact paper.
Stain Cutting Board and Scrabble Tile Holder

I used a rag to apply the stain to the cutting board and the tile holder.

Oops! The stain bled under the contact paper stencil. This probably wouldn’t have happened had I painted the cutting board before staining.
Scrabble Tile Holder to Hold the Tablet

I used my staple gun to attach the tile holder (from the back). Then, I used the chip brush to apply the poly to seal everything.
NOTE: You don’t need a nail gun; you could use your favorite fastening method: wood glue, hot glue, or super glue.

I hung the cutting board from the handle to allow the poly to dry.
What makes this iPad stand out from any other?
Picture Frame Easel

On to Plan B—I’ll put the back (easel) over the word “yum.” I used Gorilla Construction Adhesive with my caulk gun.

Isn’t it genius? It’s so simple—brilliant, actually! There are no hinges involved. As I mentioned above, when I told Jamie that I was doing this project, she mentioned using a picture frame. Then, there was some brainstorming, and somehow, it was decided that the back easel of a picture frame would be perfect to support the new tablet stand.
NOTE: The easel doesn’t go all the way to the bottom of the cutting board, which allows the iPad stand to tilt well.

Add Monogram to iPad Stand

I did a monogram on my Silhouette Portrait. As always, I used my hem guide to help with the placement of the vinyl.
DIY iPad Stand in the Kitchen
If you cook or bake frequently, a tablet stand like this is excellent for displaying recipes.
Find this awesome Toll House cupcake recipe at Create and Babble
Of course, it can also be used for browsing your favorite sites or watching a movie while you work in the kitchen.
This was a very fun project. Be sure to check out my friends’ other Thrift Store Décor projects below.

Lettered Sock Bin Bliss Ranch
Farmhouse Candle Holder Our Southern Home
Thrift Store Chair Makeover DebbieDoos
Wooden California Clock Domestically Speaking
Spray Painted Thrift Store Decor Petticoat Junktion
Globe Makeover Setting For Four
What have you made over from the thrift store lately? Do tell!
gail
Related Content:
Repurposed Cutting Board, Chalkboard, Tablet Holder PLUS Key Rack
If you love thrift store makeovers, you may want to check out these projects:

Repurposed Washboard Memo Holder

You make me want to get a tablet! That is the cutest tablet stand ever! The easel is so very clever. Love it!
will be on the look out for a wooden cutting board at the thrift store! simply genius idea!
I need one! I know what I’m looking for next time I’m in a thrift store!
Love it Gail! I made over a thrift store piece recently that I’m using for my ipad 🙂
I love this idea Gail! how clever. I would love to make one fro my friends who is always cooking up something in the kitchen.
Hi Gail,
OK this is one of those projects that makes you smack yourself on the forehead and say, ” Why didn’t I think of that?” 😉 Genious!
Exactly! Isn’t it the truth? So, so easy!
gail
This is so smart!! I need one for my phone, too! I also want to go to Grandma’s Attic!
I love this idea Gail! So simple yet so innovative. You and Jamie make a great team. Daughter’s are the best!
Thank you Stephanie! I was sooo happy to find the perfect easel solution for this iPad stand! And… yes–you’re right. Daughters are bhe best!
gail
Love this! I’m always trying to keep my ipad out of the cooking mess when I actually do cook.. LOL Sharing & pinning 🙂
Love this stand! Thanks for sharing it with us!
How ingenious (thanks auto correct!). Love this idea and the photo frame stand makes it so easy!
Thanks Kathy.
I know! I looked and looked at so many stands, and this is by far the easiest iPad stand ever.
Baking tollhouse cookies for the neighbor? I’m tucking the easel idea in my overloaded memory bank.