Remotes vanish. Print a custom organizer to hold 3-5 remotes in a single location.
This is a straightforward project: simple geometry, no supports needed, practical result.
Design Approach
Basic concept: Box with 5 slots, one slot per remote.
Dimensions:
- Overall: 150×80×100mm
- Each slot: 30mm wide × 15mm deep × 80mm tall
- Wall thickness: 2.0mm
- Slot spacing: 4mm between each
Why these dimensions:
- 150mm width: Standard remote (Roku, Apple TV, cable box all 120-130mm)
- 100mm height: Tall enough for any standard remote
- 2.0mm walls: Rigid enough to hold weight
- Open back: Slots visible from front and back
Printing Without Supports
Key design advantage: This organizer prints WITHOUT supports.
How:
- Bottom is solid (sits on bed)
- Walls are vertical (no overhangs)
- Top is open (no roof requiring support)
- Back is open (no overhanging roof)
Print orientation: Slot openings face forward (Z axis), walls go vertical.
Estimated time: 3-5 hours (depends on print speed and infill)
Customization Options
Option 1: Different number of slots
Standard design: 5 slots (150mm wide)
- Want 3 slots? Design 90mm wide
- Want 7 slots? Design 210mm wide
Formula: Width = (slot count × 30mm) + 30mm
Option 2: Wall-mounted vs. Tabletop
Tabletop (current design):
- Base 150×80mm sits on surface
- No mounting hardware needed
- Works anywhere
Wall-mounted variant:
- Add two small holes (5mm) in back
- Mount with anchors and screws
- Saves desk space
Option 3: Color and material
- Print in your preferred color (PLA, PETG, TPU)
- Paint after printing (if desired)
- Make gradient (different color per slot) with multi-material printing
Option 4: Labeled slots
Advanced option: Add text labels “Cable,” “Roku,” “AC” directly in design.
Requires CAD skills or asking designer to customize.
Design Files
If you can’t find existing design, design yourself:
In Tinkercad (free, browser-based):
- Create box 150×80×100mm
- Create 5 vertical dividers (2mm thick) creating slots
- Set walls to 2.0mm
- Leave bottom and back solid, top and front open
- Export as STL
In Fusion 360 (free with hobbyist license):
- Create box parametrically (easier to customize)
- Array dividers for slots
- Export as STL
Alternative: Search Thingiverse for “remote organizer” (hundreds exist, remixable)
Printing Settings
Recommended settings:
- Nozzle: 210°C (PLA standard)
- Bed: 60°C
- Layer height: 0.2mm (standard is fine)
- Infill: 20% (sufficient for non-load-bearing organizer)
- Supports: No (not needed)
- Speed: 80-100mm/s
Estimated filament: 250-300g (~$5 cost) Estimated time: 3-5 hours Estimated cost: $5-7 total
Post-Processing
After printing:
- Remove from bed (should pop right off)
- Inspect for defects (look for cracks, weak areas)
- Sand if visible layer lines bother you (optional)
- Paint if desired (optional)
No cleanup needed (no supports, no post-processing required)
Assembly (If Modular Design)
If you design as separate parts:
- Top piece (slots)
- Base (bottom support)
- Back wall (optional, for stability)
Assembly steps:
- Lay parts on table
- Apply CA glue (small amount) to joints
- Press together, hold 30 seconds
- Let cure (15 minutes before use)
Alternative: Snap-fit design (no glue needed) if designed with tabs and slots.
Wall Mounting
If adding wall mount:
- Add 5mm holes in back of organizer (two holes, 100mm apart)
- Print two small brackets ($0.50 worth of plastic)
- Mount to wall with 25mm drywall anchors ($3 for pack)
- Screw organizer to brackets
- Hang on wall
Result: Organizer hangs on wall, saves desk space.
Real-World Usage
What works:
- Organizer holds 5-6 standard remote controls easily
- Slots are deep enough to prevent remotes from falling out
- Open design makes it easy to grab remotes
- Lightweight (easy to move)
Challenges:
- If wall-mounted to drywall (not studs), weight-limited to 2-3kg max
- Plastic is flexible, so don’t stack heavy weight on top
- Dust settles in empty slots (clean monthly if desired)
Customization Ideas
Add-ons:
- Phone holder in one slot (widen one slot)
- Pen holder (add vertical slot, 5mm wide)
- Label maker strips (stick labels on each slot)
- Decorative paint (paint different colors per remote)
Advanced versions:
- Lazy Susan base (rotate to reach remotes)
- Drawer insert (fits in drawer, saves desktop space)
- Multi-tiered (two rows of slots)
Cost-Benefit
Cost to print: $5-7 (filament) Cost to buy equivalent: $15-25 (plastic organizer retail) Time to print: 5 hours (overnight or batch with other prints) Savings: $10-20 minus your time (worth it)
Value: Remotes don’t get lost, clutter is reduced, solution is exactly what you need (custom).
Troubleshooting
Problem: Remotes fall out of slots
- Cause: Slots too wide (>35mm)
- Fix: Redesign with narrower slots or deeper box
Problem: Print falls apart (no supports)
- Cause: Overhangs in design (roof sections unsupported)
- Fix: Remove overhanging elements or redesign
Problem: Organizing remotes is still hard (still can’t find right one)
- Fix: Label each slot with printed labels or color-code remotes (put colored tape on remotes)
Result
You’ll end up with:
- Functional organizer holding 5 remotes
- Custom-designed to fit your space
- Cost: $5-7 in materials
- Time investment: 5 hours printing + 15 minutes assembly
- Satisfaction: High (custom solution, no store equivalent fits your need perfectly)
This is one of the best beginner-to-intermediate projects. Simple geometry, no supports, practical result, perfect for gifting or keeping.
Print one, keep it, and realize how many uses an organizer has beyond just remotes (cables, small accessories, toy storage).