What is the difference between a Charging Drawer and a Command Center?

Did your family have a junk drawer when you were growing up? Do you have one now? You know, that one mess of a drawer where you stow and find everything from lunch money to phone books, pens, staplers, tools and all sorts of trinkets? 

You didn’t design a place for junk, so don’t let junk into your design. Every inch of a home should be purposefully laid out, each nook and cranny providing a specific function to meet a specific need. This focus towards functional design is being seen around the globe, and for good reason. And as a result, more purposeful drawer space has become a standard, with charging drawers and command centers quickly phasing out the good ‘ol junk drawer of the past.

The charging drawer and command center drawer are both innovative ways to declutter countertops and manage ever-chaotic electronic paraphernalia while eliminating the possibility of junk drawers. The terms charging drawer and command center are often used interchangeably, but here at Docking Drawer, we put a spotlight on how these two applications differ in function, location, and composition. 

Read on to see how these purposeful, powered drawers differ, which one is already installed in your home, or which one you need to install next.

The Charging Drawer

What is a charging drawer? 

A charging drawer is a cabinet or furniture drawer that includes a power outlet, where you can connect devices out of sight. It allows you to charge your electronic devices without having to leave them exposed on a counter or table top. A charging drawer can be found in the bedroom, mudroom, entryway or anywhere else in the home, but is most commonly located in the kitchen, where things are often fast-paced, and the convenience of accessing devices while cooking, meal prepping, or visiting with guests is a priority. 

The Docking Drawer Blade Duo outlet is the perfect solution for powering your charging drawer, and is available in a variety of configurations, with the option to safely connect up to 8 devices – like phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, drones, smart watches and any other tech – in a single outlet.

Having a charging drawer is a great option for those who want easy access to their devices while they’re charging, and for those looking to eliminate cord and device clutter from surfaces in highly trafficked areas of the home like the kitchen.

The Command Center

The powered command center can offer the same benefits of the traditional charging drawer, but is usually located in a more centrally-located space in the home. This could be on the outskirts of a kitchen, the space between the kitchen and living area, an entryway hall or other drop-zone area. It’s often used as a place to connect, monitor and control all the activities of the home.

Acting as the home’s central “hub”, you might find things like an Amazon Echo, Google Home, baby monitors, and other equipment connected to the in-drawer outlet. Our Blade and Blade Duo In Drawer Outlets are a great choice for powering your command center drawers, as they can accommodate up to eight devices and include an interlocking safety feature that cuts power to the outlet when surrounding temperatures exceed 120° F. 

So while a command center can also be (or include) a charging station, it is typically more centrally and strategically located, used to connect devices that help manage the family and household, and the space often includes additional things like family calendars, homework organizers, key drop, grocery or to-do lists, and more.

You can have fun designing and customizing your command center, choosing colors and organizational accessories that match your preferences and practical needs. 

Here are 21 smart family command center ideas to get you and your family organized

The Charging Drawer vs The Command Center

Both a charging drawer and a command center are great ways to increase efficiency and organization in the home. By taking the time to get to know the unique functions and features of each option, you can be better equipped to identify your needs and set up the system that works best for you and your family!