Custom Camouflage To Hide Your TV Remotes

For someone who has paid an enormous amount of attention to every decor detail in my home, the tv remotes have been visible for far too long. Ordinarily, I cringe over the small things, like wrinkles in the couch or an un-poofed pillow.

Yet, those ugly controllers have been on full display forever.

Oh sure, I've thought about hiding them numerous times, but never took any real action. I'd push them behind the duck decoy on the end table or slide them under the pillows on the couch. I mean I don't watch tv much, but for those who do, my "decorating efforts" always led to trouble.

Where are the controllers??

No one could ever find them, so I abandoned those tactics. Even though the hardware still bothered me, I was bothered more by the constant questions.

Then one day this summer, I saw a cute upcycle from my friend Linda at Mixed Kreations. She hid her remotes in a box. I thought it was genius and commented that one day I was going to do it, too.

Well, guess what today is? That's right, it's one day.

Actually, I did this several days ago, when I was in the middle of my fall crafting frenzy, remember?  One stencil failure, one stencil success, one dollar store update and one new home for those unsightly, but necessary remotes.

How To Hide Your TV Remotes

Now, unlike Linda, I didn't have a wooden box on hand. What I did have, was a cardboard box with a magnetic clasp that I had picked up long ago with the idea of using it for tissues in my new bathroom.


However, on a whim, I checked to see if the controllers would fit and lo and behold, it was a perfect match. The only problem was that the box itself, was not my style. At all. Plus, it clashed with my floral couch.


Not gonna happen. So I dug into my craft closet and found a package of napkins I had purchased for just such an occasion.


I thought that the rustic twig nest with hints of red in the tiny flowers would go well in the room. It was a great match, so I grabbed my supplies and got started.

I was a bit nervous about painting the cardboard, I was afraid it would get too wet and the box would buckle. To prevent this, I went slow, one thin coat of creamy white craft paint at a time and I allowed each one to dry thoroughly in between.


It only took two coats to cover the original design. I used a bristle brush for the first application and a large flat foam one for the final coat. Once the paint was totally dry, I started the next step. Decoupage.


Decoupaging items with napkins is not fun. I do it because it's effective and I can customize my decor on the cheap. It's messy, it's annoying and while it's not technically difficult, it can be very challenging.

I started by cutting my napkin to fit the box top and back side exactly. Then I coated the box top and back side with Mod Podge, moving quickly because this stuff dries fast.

Then I separated my napkin into one ply and placed it down on the box and smoothed it out with my hand...ever so gently so it wouldn't tear. Once it was smooth, I went over the napkin with more decoupage and smoothed it down again.


My hands were tacky, that's where the tricky part comes in. The napkins, covered in decoupage - which is basically glue - stick to your fingers and then the delicate paper rips and bubbles.

In the past I have used a sheet of plastic wrap or worn gloves during the smoothing process to minimize it, but I was lazy this time around. It still worked without them, it just took a little more patience.


I had to let my box dry for a solid 24 hours before I could use it, but this is how it looked the next morning when I went into the kitchen to check on my creation. It has bumps and lumps and there are wrinkles, but that's all part of the look. Rustic cottage.


It coordinates with my room so much better than the original pink and yellow tones. Whether it's on one of the wood pieces in the room or tossed on the couch, it doesn't matter, it blends. That box of remotes is truly part of the decor.


Of course, I did have to remind people several times where the remotes were stored now, but I think they've got it. As a matter of fact, my husband has become quite fond of the box.

He knows exactly where to find his precious controllers at the end of the day.

I don't squawk about having to look at them.

And it wasn't an expensive upgrade.

A long, long overdue DIY.

Thanks Linda!

Where are your tv remotes?