You Really Need to Make a “Phone Bed” ASAP — Here’s Why

Lately, I’ve been on my phone more than ever. The issue is it’s just always there, next to me at any given moment practically asking to be scrolled on. I feel like I just can’t put it down. I’ve been searching for creative ways to limit my screen time, and the latest trick I’ve seen uses a bit of whimsy to keep you off your phone. It’s called a “phone bed.”

A “phone bed” is a mini bed that acts as a holder for your phone so it can rest somewhere besides in your hands or right by your side, encouraging you to spend less time on your phone. In Lola’s (@visigoprincess) TikTok video where I saw this concept, she says, “Whenever I don’t want to be on my phone, I just sort of tuck him in under the quilt and I don’t use it because he’s so cozy in his bed.” 

In her video, she shares the details of the “phone bed” she made herself. The bed is just cardboard taped together, covered in wood-colored craft paper. The mattress is a rectangle of fabric filled with stuffing, and she even made a mini quilt using 1-by-1-inch fabric squares sewn together. She also crocheted a tiny basket that can hold her earbuds and live next to the bed.

As cool as the finished product is, it also requires a good amount of crafting; if you’re looking for a ready-made option, you can also search for doll beds online and check the dimensions to make sure they’ll fit your phone. Etsy has lots of options, like this Miniature Unfinished Bed with Mattress, which measures 6.25 inches long, 3.5 inches wide, and 3.5 inches tall (so it should fit a standard iPhone 16 perfectly). The wood is unfinished and the mattress is white, so if you are up for a little crafting, you can even paint or personalize your mini phone bed. To turn the bed into a power station, you can even set your phone charger up nearby so that your phone can charge while it “rests,” if you want. 

I love how the idea of a “phone bed” both creates a designated place to leave your phone when you’re not using it, and it helps me remember that my phone needs to fully shut down sometimes, too (that battery can only work so hard!). When I think about how much I use my phone through that lens, I realize that we could both really use a break. I also like the idea of tucking my phone into bed when I get ready for bed myself to discourage any late-night scrolling.

If the “phone bed” seems a little much to you, there are other kinds of holders you can create for your phone to the same effect. You can simply use a trinket tray or soap dish instead, which can also make for cute decor. Or, you could try literally “hanging up” your smartphone up on the wall just like the old days; it can be as simple as two Command hooks on the wall to cradle your phone or as intricate as this air-dry clay phone docking station. Whatever method you choose, just be sure to choose adhesive designed to hold the weight of your phone and install it carefully to avoid any unfortunate phone falls.