30 Creative DIY Smartphone & Tablet Accessories

By Brian Voo. in Gadgets. Updated on July 13, 2022.

Most of us like to buy the coolest accessories for our smartphones or tablets. Some make our smartphones even smarter, others take gaming on tablets a step further. Then there are accessories to protect our smartphones and tablets. Basically, there are countless things you can buy for your favorite mobile device, but why buy them when you can make them?

Not only are some of these makeshift solutions a showcase of ingenius creativity, they are also easy to replicate and can help you save your money for other purposes. We’re expecting office supplies to go missing a lot as a result of this list but go ahead and grab and idea or two. Unleash your creativity with these DIY examples smartphone and tablet accessories.

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Docks & Stands

Cutlery Smartphone Stand

Bend some cutlery and fasten them together to create this cool looking iPhone stand. Or you could buy it from ForkedUpArt off Etsy for $27.50.

Binder Clip Stand

Richsipe bent the ‘arm’ of one of the two binder clips needed for this project that gives you a simple smartphone stand.

Binder Clip Smartphone Holder

Two large binder clips, one unused credit card and you have yourself a holder. Nifty and simple trick by David (dkfotog).

iPhone Box Stand

Remember that piece of plastic holding your iPhone in place so that it won’t move about inside the box? Well Gorodin added some binder clips to that with some double-sided tape and made a very simple iPhone stand.

Ikea Tablet Stand

Ikea or similar hardware stores are great places to hunt for resources to create your own cheap tablet stands. All Stephen Wong used was an Ikea bracket and screws to make a very simple stand.

Protective Cases

Leather Envelope Case

A cool-looking smartphone case created by Kate Pruitt that looks like an envelope made out of leather. It does require some specific tools to sew together, but it sure has a classy look in the end, doesn’t it?

Leather Smartphone Wallet

Since you’re making your own casing, Kirstin decided to add a few pockets for your ID, driving registration or credit cards.

Gliterry Cases

Ebay is a great source for cheap and plain cases for your device. All you have to do now is to get some supplies like glue, glitter and maybe ribbons to create the most unique and sparkly cases like how Grace Bonney has created.

Quilt Fabric Case

These (ice) cool carrying cases by Straight Stitch Society can securely hold your device with space for a few identity or credit cards and a small set of keys with the metal ring.

Yarn Smartphone Case

Another cute case, this time, made of yarn. Trish was able to complete it on bus rides, a fun way to pass some of those long commutes. Personally, I’d go for cookie monster blue, for effect.

Wood & Leather iPhone Case with Penholder

Some classy work by Patrick Ng was put into making the leather piece that would protect the face of the iPhone and at the same time hold a pen, or if you prefer, a stylus.

Hardcover Book Turned Into Case

Originally an idea for a laptop, Emmatennis turned this hardcover book into a case by drilling some holes and sewing the zippers to seal the book. Solid protection for those larger 10-inch tablets.

Felt iPad Case

Felt is a very inexpensive and easy-to-find material. With felt, Stef & Erin created this simple iPad case. It does require a bit of sewing but the simple step-by-step tutorial will guide you through.

E-Reader Sleeve

Another great design put together by Jessica Kelly with some fabric that hold your tablet. The unique thing about this sleeve is the additional pocket in front for your other things.