USB ports are everywhere these days, but it can be hard to one when you need it. Here are some household objects you can use to add more charging ports.
The USB port (short for Universal Serial Bus) was first introduced in 1996. As the name suggests, it can be used as an alternative or replacement for a wide array of other ports, offering a way to transmit information and deliver energy between devices. In the three decades since the arrival of the USB, it has become a fairly standard socket for electronics, showing up on everything from computers to televisions.
Over the years, adding a USB port for charging and connectivity has become a way of upgrading an otherwise analog object. It’s an easy way to add charging capabilities to common furniture and accessories, and considering how much of modern life relies on phones and other electronic devices, having the ability to charge no matter where you are can be a game changer.
USB has gone through a few iterations since 1996, offering up the seldomly seen USB-B and the increasingly common, bidirectional USB-C. Still, the original USB-A port remains a common option. Whether USB-A or USB-C, pretty much everything from keyboards and mice to disk drives and printers connect using this common port. But that’s not all. Here are 10 unconventional objects, from furniture to lifestyle accessories, which come with at least one USB port built in.Sleeper sofa
It’s difficult to improve upon the time-honored design of a sofa, but that hasn’t stopped anyone from trying. This convertible sofa from Tiramisubest endeavors to be a multipurpose seating solution which does more than just your ordinary chair. Positioned in a living room, home office, or spare bedroom, it serves as a sofa but also pulls out into a bed, so it can double as a place for guests to rest their heads.
When in the bed configuration or when the bottom is pulled out as a footrest, the underside opens up to hold luggage or store other belongings. Whether you’re using it as a sofa or a bed, it features pockets on the sides for holding magazines, tablets, and other slim objects. There are a couple of cupholders, one on each side, and a pair of USB ports for charging your devices.
It also has an adjustable phone holder mounted to a poseable arm on the right side, allowing you to position your phone right in front of your face for maximum relaxation. The backrest is also adjustable. It can stand up like a typical couch, set at 45 degrees so you can recline, or lay all the way down when you’re ready to sleep. It’s perfect for folks with no guest room, since this multipurpose furniture saves space, or as an addition to your existing seating and sleeping arrangements.Backpack
In the old days, backpacks were little more than sacks with straps for carrying books, notebooks, pencils, and other school supplies. Today’s technologically minded students, however, want a little more. This backpack from Ugrace comes in six different colors and features a simple exterior design, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Inside, you’ll find a total of six compartments, each lined with polyester. The main pocket also features a laptop sleeve capable of accommodating laptops 15.6 inches or smaller. You’ll also find a smaller pocket meant for holding a portable power source. Importantly, the backpack does not come with a battery: You’ll have to provide one yourself.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred power source (check out these 5 mini power banks small enough to fit in your pocket) slot it into the pocket and connect to the interior cable. The other end of that cable runs to a USB port on the outside of the backpack. Just plug in your phone or other small device with its existing charging cable, and you’re off to the races. There’s even a small pocket beneath the USB port where you can stash your phone while it charges.Bookshelf
If you’ve ever lived in a home with limited space and/or few electrical outlets, you know how difficult it can be to find room for everything you need, whether that’s furniture or electrical appliances. This bookcase from Aheaplus offers multiple types of storage and increases your access to electrical outlets.
It stands just shy of six feet tall, two feet wide, and 14 inches deep. It has a total of three open shelves, two of which are adjustable to accommodate books and trinkets of various sizes. You’ll also find three closed drawers at the bottom for additional storage. It comes in black oak, white oak, or rustic brown. On the top, you’ll find a built-in charging station with 3 AC electrical outlets and two USB ports for powering and charging lamps, phones, and other electronics. Even if you have to put the shelf in front of an outlet, you won’t lose the ability to plug in.
With its combination of features, it’s a great addition to almost any space.
