Whenever I envision the perfect smartphone, it has one key feature: a kickstand. (Bet you thought I was going to say freeze-ray. That’s no. 2 on the list.)
Why the deep-seated longing for a pop-out propper-upper? Because my phone is my constant companion, used for everything from reading while I eat breakfast to watching movies on long flights to showing recipes while I’m in the kitchen. (That’s right, I bake. Got a problem?) Unfortunately, it’s always lying down in the job. I need a way to hold it up so I can keep both hands free.
There are cases that have build-in kickstands, but those require spending extra money — and giving up the case you already have. That’s why I prefer MacGyver-style solutions: household objects that can be turned into smartphone stands. I’ve rounded up six of my favorite do-it-yourself options, all of which you can cobble together in a matter of minutes — or possibly even seconds.
Needless to say, if you know of another craft-y way to give your phone a leg up, tell me about it in the comments!
Six free do-it-yourself smartphone stands (pictures)
![](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ced750b827233e92f1885cda3e27c26463f6234f/hub/2013/06/27/1ef3d396-f07b-11e2-8c7c-d4ae52e62bcc/Business-card_stand.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=299&width=532)
![](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/9b0fc49310da4cd2c13c386d98d93a1489ed5439/hub/2013/06/27/1ef1f27a-f07b-11e2-8c7c-d4ae52e62bcc/Coffee-sleeve_stand.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=299&width=532)
![](https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/bafa4f97b5d1ca907e0865ce88b9d903461264c9/hub/2013/06/27/1ef0005e-f07b-11e2-8c7c-d4ae52e62bcc/Binder-clip_stand.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=299&width=532)
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