Wooden Phone Stand: A Simple Woodworking Gift

By Kelly · Updated 2026-10-17

A minimalist wooden phone stand is a functional gift for an office desk or nightstand. This design focuses on the intersection of two boards to create a stable base that accommodates charging cables while maintaining a low profile. These projects require precision in measuring and cutting to ensure a secure fit without the need for complex joinery.

Woodworking Safety and Tools

When working with small pieces of wood, safety is paramount. Use a push stick when operating a table saw or miter saw to keep fingers away from the blade. If using hand tools, secure the wood to a workbench with C-clamps or a vice to prevent slipping during the cutting or chiseling process. Always wear eye protection and a dust mask when sanding hardwoods like walnut or oak, as the fine dust can be an irritant.

Two-Piece Interlocking Phone Stand

Adults · 45 min · about $8

  1. Measure and cut two rectangular pieces of hardwood: one 3.5 inches by 6 inches for the backrest and one 3.5 inches by 4 inches for the base.
  2. On the 6-inch backrest piece, mark a horizontal line 1.5 inches from the bottom edge.
  3. Cut a slot starting from the bottom edge up to the 1.5-inch mark. The slot must be exactly the thickness of your wood (1/2 inch) to ensure a friction fit.
  4. On the 4-inch base piece, mark a horizontal line 1 inch from the back edge and cut a matching 1/2 inch wide slot halfway through the width of the board.
  5. Test the fit by sliding the two slots together; if they are too tight, use 120-grit sandpaper to slightly widen the openings.
  6. Sand all surfaces and rounded corners with 220-grit sandpaper until the wood feels smooth.
  7. Apply a thin coat of boiled linseed oil using a lint-free cloth and allow it to cure for 24 hours.

Routed Hardwood Block Stand

Adults · 30 min · about $5

  1. Secure the hardwood block to your workbench using wood clamps, ensuring the top surface is level.
  2. Mark a line across the center of the block at a 10-degree angle to provide a slight tilt for the phone screen.
  3. Set the router bit depth to 3/4 of an inch.
  4. Slowly pass the router along the marked line to create a channel wide enough to fit a standard smartphone with its case.
  5. Use a chisel or sandpaper to clean up any wood fibers left in the bottom of the groove.
  6. Sand the entire block, focusing on the sharp top edges to create a slight bevel.
  7. Apply two thin coats of polyurethane spray finish, sanding lightly between coats with 400-grit paper.

Angled Ledge Stand with Lip

Adults · 1 hour · about $4

  1. Cut one 5.5-inch section for the back support and one 3.5-inch section for the base ledge.
  2. Use a miter saw to cut a 15-degree bevel on the bottom edge of the back piece so it sits at an angle.
  3. Apply wood glue to the beveled edge and press it against the top of the base piece, roughly 1 inch from the back edge.
  4. Reinforce the joint by driving two finish nails through the bottom of the base into the back support.
  5. Cut a small 1/2-inch square strip of wood and glue it to the front edge of the base to prevent the phone from sliding off.
  6. Fill the nail holes with wood filler and allow it to dry completely.
  7. Sand the entire assembly smooth before applying stain or paint.