Television remote controls have definitely come a long way since the first wireless original remote controls appeared on the market in 1955. These days, it seems like everything in your house has a remote: the TV, the DVD player, the cable box, the second TV, the stereo, the shower, the car, the coffeepot… it’s gotten to the point where all these remote controls are more frustrating than they are helpful.
Of course you’re bound to lose some of these remotes, since no reasonable person is actually capable of knowing where 11 different remote controls are, and then you end up dealing with tons of replacement remotes on top of it all. Some people think they’ll be able to circumvent this arduous process by purchasing a universal remote… and then they figure out that programming a remote isn’t always possible when you’re working with universal replacement remotes. No matter which brand you buy, there’s always at least electronic device in your house that just isn’t compatible with universal remote programming.
As an infomercial would say, “There has to be a better way!”
And indeed there is. There are plenty of innovative ways to track and organize your TV remote controls, and here are just a few ideas:
- The classic basket. Always a good option if you like to have your TV remotes close at hand or if there are multiple rooms where you keep remotes.
- Glow-in-the-dark tape/marker decorations. This is a good option if you prefer watching TV without the lights on, and glow-in-the-dark supplies are easily found at any local craft store.
- Color-coded remotes. The worst thing is sifting through a pile of TV remotes that all look the same; you think you’ve found what you need, you get all comfy on the couch, then you realize it’s the wrong remote and you toss it aside before going back. Color-coding with paint or tape is an easy way to bypass the hassle and subsequent remote losses.
So now it’s your turn to share — what’s the most creative way you’ve found to keep track of your remote controls?
