Number five is alive! (Short Circuit, anyone?) I went with that intro because we recently added a helpful robot to our household (you know I’m into gadgets – I think my favorite post ever was this one entitled Super Toilet).
Let me start from the beginning. We’re big proponents of having lights that you can reach from bed. It sounds obvious, but for a while the only light in our first master bedroom was overhead and operated by the switch by the door (which feels miles away when you’re lying in bed half asleep). So until we installed the wall sconces two years into living there, we experienced a battle of wills each night to see who would have to make the trek to flick the switch. Picture both of us trying to fake-sleep to avoid having to be the one to get up.
And when we rearranged our bedroom last September, we nearly ignored our own advice. Since my bedside lamp was sunken back in that nook, it took a good stretch of my long monkey arms to twist the switch each night. People asked if it annoyed me and I honestly replied that it didn’t. What’s wrong with a little pre-bed stretching? It definitely still beats getting out of bed and walking across the room.
But over time… let’s just say that it wore me and my monkey arms down. My best description of the slow I-hate-this evolution would be this. A week or two of doing the pre-bed-arm-stretch = not so bad. A month or two of it = getting old. Three to six months of it = I’m finished with the straining of the arm (said a la Ben Stiller in this “I’m finished with the checking of the bags” clip). There are certainly worse problems in the world to have, but I’m always down for upgrades that make a room more functional – especially after six months of doing the harlem shake the sloppy swish the light limbo before bed.
And since we’re both really happy with the room’s layout except for this small lamp-reaching detail, the solution I had in mind was some sort of remote (which a bunch of you had actually recommended months ago when we shared the new arrangement). Initially I yearned to implement some Jetson-esque system that I could control from my phone (since it’s often the last thing to leave my hands each night). Then I briefly reminisced about The Clapper (which I had growing up, btw). But the things I was finding (like this system from Belkin) started to feel like overkill. Then I stumbled upon this $50 system that was marked down to just $19. Sold.
About a week after I ordered it, my little robot system arrived – and I was all dorked out about getting it hooked up. That’s when I discovered one major flaw in the design. The remote outlet is so big that no matter which outlet you place it in – the top or the bottom – it blocks the other one from being used. Bad robot.
And since the outlet behind my dresser needs to serve more than one electrical device, I was kinda annoyed at first. But it ended up being a blessing in disguise because it forced me to dig an old power strip out of storage so that I could plug the remote into that. Which meant that not only did I now have room for the bulky remote device, but I could plug everything else in at once (we used to rotate things out, so the fan or the baby monitor were only plugged in occasionally). Now that everything has power, this dresser is the quite the hub of activity.
But let’s not forget the best part. My mystical remote that makes light disappear right before our very eyes. Ooh. Ahh. (No strained arm muscles required.)
Of course, reaching for the remote on the dresser every night wouldn’t be much of an improvement. So with a little 3M velcro I stuck it to the side of our bed frame, where it’s 100% hidden from view beneath the bedspread after we make the bed.
I tell ya folks, this is the life.
And in case you’re wondering, I put one of the other remote outlets (since the set came with three total) in Sherry’s lamp so she doesn’t have to lift a finger to turn off her light either. Hers wasn’t as much of a stretch since it’s not set back in a nook, but I’m a gentleman, what can I say? It’s a far cry from the old days of negotiating who would have to get out of bed and hit the wall switch. Now I’m all “Oh, you must be tired honey. Let me get that light for you. You just rest.” #madhusbandpoints
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has added a simple techno fix that makes life a little easier. Are there any quick and handy updates going on in your house? Do you have The Clapper song in your head now? I do. Clap on. (Clap clap). Clap off. (Clap clap).
Psst- Today my lady wife is over on Style Me Pretty Living, just jabbering about “life behind the blog.”
Amanda @ The Scacchi House says
Best. Idea. Ever! My husband and I fight over who’s going to turn the light off all the time. In our last house, the overhead light had a remote. It was wonderful. I will be doing that again in the next house.
Avone says
So weird. I saw no pics in today’s post. That was so oddly not typical YHL that I was coming here to comment and then they all showed up. Not sure what was going on, but I’m thrilled to see that you guys didn’t disappoint.
YoungHouseLove says
Weird! I wonder where they went. So glad they’re back :)
xo
s
Cat says
Your post gives me hope that somewhere, someone has made a product that I don’t know how to search for ’cause I don’t know what to call it. I have a husband who falls asleep with the light on. Always. I want a timer attached to/wired into his bedside lamp so he can dial it on, and it will turn itself off after (whatever number of minutes. Any ideas out there?
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have ideas for Cat?
xo
s
JennP says
You might have better luck finding a bedside lamp with a remote control. You could keep the remote on your side and switch his light off after he falls asleep. We have our fan and overhead lighting on remote in the master, and it does come in handy during those moments when you want to crank the fan up or turn the lights off but are just too comfortable to move :)
JennP says
Lol, I totally didn’t read the whole post and didn’t see that you actually wrote about remotes for bedside lamps. Sorry for my redundancy.
YoungHouseLove says
No worries at all!
xo
s
Heather says
My 9 year old asked for a clapper for Christmas. He gets all snuggled into his bed with a book at night, and then has to un-snuggle to turn his light out when he’s done reading. We got him a remote instead of the clapper, but he still wants a clapper. Guess a button can’t beat the magic of sound operating your light.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Ian Anderson says
We bought some timers to control some electrical heaters and found exactly the same. I mean come on, it’s not rocket science is it!
The average ‘amateur’ is smarter than three pro designers put together I recon!
You guys have a nice weekend!
carrie eastman says
Who one the giveaway? I checked back but havent seen anything.
YoungHouseLove says
Sorry for the delay, that’s on the agenda for this morning and should be up asap :)
xo
s
John @ Our Home from Scratch says
They say necessity is the mother of invention, but in reality it’s probably more like competitive laziness :)
Smart solution!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! It’s true!
xo
s
Meredith says
You had me at the sloppy swish. Haha! We randomly reenact that dance from time to time. One of our all time favs =] Cool light gadget!
Colette says
Thank you so much! My hubby has been complaining about the same pre-bed-arm-stretch problem for ages, to the point where he stopped using his light all together and I, being the good wifeypoo, was keeping MY light on until he was ready to sleep. So, I’ve just ordered a remote outlet! Enter #madwifepoints and a big WIN/WIN here. Thanks again, you guys rock. xxx
Rosie S says
HI guys, I’m a long time reader, first time commenter. Love your book! Ok, maybe not a high tech project, but a way to hide ‘high tech’ stuff in the bathrooms….we moved into a new house with cabinets next to the sinks, and there are outlets on the cabinet sides. Using the existing wiring, Hubby just tied in another outlet INSIDE the cabinet to hide the charging tooth and face brush bases. Probably others have done it, but it was an ah-ha moment for us. I hate counter clutter!
YoungHouseLove says
Smart!
xo
s
Phuong says
This.post.was.hilarious! Did you feel weird/funny getting into your bed fully clothed like that? Always makes me feel out of sorts. Or maybe you were in your pajamas? Don’t ask me why my mind wondered these things…
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! It was taken during the day in my regular clothes and it felt really weird.
-John
Jan says
Hello. I am really sick and tired of people like you who make a blog and show a picture of their new thing and bastardize the image in photoshop or something to make it look bright and saturated. It is a complete farse. And then everyone leaves a comment about how they like it or how pretty it is. It is completely unreal and fake. Does your house really look like that..everything in the right place and colors so vibrant and bright? Why don’t you be real like you say you all are. Post this comment if you are man enough.
YoungHouseLove says
Of course we’ll post your comment! We do usually clean up an area before shooting it (just like if you had people over your house you might clean up a bit so your underwear’s not on the floor, haha). Although sometimes we don’t clean a thing and share a video of our entire house, just to keep it real (like this and this). We definitely take photos when there’s good natural light in a room (we like to shoot in the afternoon instead of at night) and we love our camera – but we actually do minimal editing (usually just cropping and straightening). Here’s a post about that for ya.
xo
s
Lisa says
Wow. I hope somewhere in you is a little place that knows how ugly your envy is. I guess your mom would be really proud.
Apart from that, a personal blog is not free press. If people insulted me or my pictures or my blog (if I had one), I’d delete the hell out of their comments and I’d ban them, too. Do you also go into peoples’ home and tell them how ugly you think everything is? Please leave and take your meanness elsewhere.
Elizabeth says
We used to put our Christmas Tree on a clapper. One year my young cousin had a total meltdown about something and apparently the pitch of her voice and the warbling was just enough to set the clapper on and off… from that point on, my brothers and I were determined to figure out what noises (aside from claps) would engage The Clapper. We thought it was hilarious but the adults apparently did not; The Clapper did not make a return appearance the following year.
Kate says
I am totally going to pick some of these up! Just last night I was being “reprimanded” for turning the light out by pulling out the plug instead of getting up to flip the switch by the door!
lisacng @ expandng.com says
What a cool product! Love that you stuck the remote to your bed via velcro!
Lee Ann says
Really nice set-up! And, too funny, about playing ‘possum’ to see who ended up getting out of bed. My husband and I have played that little game whenever the dog needs to go out during the night (scratch, scratch, scratch on the bedroom door) or, once, when our master bath toilet would keep running (before the plumber could come). It’s amazing how long a stand-off can go on. :)
And, yes, I now have that song for ‘The Clapper’ in my head. I congratulate John for actually admitting that he had one at home. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, he has fond memories of that thing!
xo
s
ingenuitygirl says
Bought a set like this around Christmas time to use with the tree lights – also great for the covered porch lights (I wont use it where weather could get to it) – I think it was a Walmart buy – but I think they only have it at the holidays. Such a great idea!
Heidi says
We had the same problem, and since we rent we couldn’t do anything major, so we actually installed some sconces on our reclaimed railroad tie headboard, and we used switched cords that we got from IKEA!
Trela says
I almost hate to shoot you random comments because it gives you more work to do! Almost…
1. Sherry on Behind the Blog — flawless, and so real
2. New plates at Target that are the melamine variety, super patterned in fun colors, no lie that tonight when I saw them I immediately thought, “oh, Sherry would like those.” Because clearly I know you. Ha.
3. I think you two should take it as a testament to who you are that far fewer people in the blogosphere wish they could BE you than wish they could be FRIENDS with you. And yes, I’m counting myself.
4. Next book tour: Iowa. There’s WAY more than corn here…
Cheers, you guys. I’ve been watching you from just after Clara was born, and it’s lovely to see you doing so well.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you’re so sweet Trela! And we’d love to make it out to Iowa next time!!
xo
s
Joanna says
Where do you get your pineapple/pine cone lamp? I’ve been searching for the exact one! Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
They were HomeGoods finds a while back. Wish I could guarantee there’d be more there now, but you know how HomeGoods goes…
-John
Elegane says
hi,John .I like your what your bed ‘s look!and I was agree you!Because I always go through the whole room to turn off the lights!
you has a good idea for me !thank you!
Sarah J. says
Nice! since we feel that waking up in dark of winter is a real downer, we put the hubbies bedside lamp on a christmas lights timer outlet. so now, his lamp turns on just a couple minutes before the alarm goes off. makes getting up in the morning a little bit easier with the soft glow around the room.
i’ve also used those little light timers on a night light in our boys room when they switched to a big boy bed. it was a lot easier to just tell them “you have to stay in bed until the rocket comes on.” than to try and clarify time of day. plus the light was soft enough that if they were still sleep it wouldn’t wake them. :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so smart!
xo
s
Emily says
Thanks for sharing this great idea! Ordered a set that came in the mail today. Now all of our decorative lamps can be turned on and off without traipsing to every corner of the apartment!
Colleen says
What kind of charging station is that? I like the way it looks and I’ve been looking for one…
YoungHouseLove says
We found it at a Pottery Barn outlet about 4 years ago.
-John
Kym says
Your very own deluminator. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Kaylin Lydia says
Oi! The clap on – the bane of MY EXISTENCE. Be glad you didn’t go with that option. We have one (because of funky outlet set up and small apartment) and it is constantly turning off when I laugh or sneeze, which would be fine if it would turn back ON when I laughed or sneezed again but it never does. And to be clear its the lights fault, its not mine for being “too loud”. I may consider this sweet set up though. Good job!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Jessica @ Decor Adventures says
To Jess @ Little Big House, they do make an outside version. Remote control little power-strip like things that you plug into the outlet, then plug your lights or what in it and use the remote anywhere. We got the 3 set for our outside holiday lights – genius! We turn them on from inside the warm living room. We got it at Home Depot at the holidays.
And we have one that instead of the remote it’s a “fake” light switch that you hang on the wall. We use it in a room that doesn’t have any switches, so now it controls the outlet. Also from THD.
It’s amazing what they make these days :-)
AmandaonMaui says
I’m curious about your charging station. Can you show us that up close? It looks so sleek.
YoungHouseLove says
We found it at a Pottery Barn outlet a few years ago. You can see a pic of it at the bottom of this old Apartment Therapy post: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/top-ten-diy-charging-stations-52571
-John
abby says
We got those remotes for the Christmas trees/indoor lights a few years ago and LOVED the convenience of not stretching to plug the trees in. So we kept the little remotes in our living room. We now have them plugged in to each of our living room lamps so I can control all the lights from my TV watching chair. More light = kids playing. Less light = movie watchin. We also got a set for each of the kids’ rooms so that we can turn on their little lamps from the doorway. It makes it nice to not have to use overhead lights during the early morning or wake up time! The bad part is how hard they are to find in stores. When our second kid came around we wanted another set and it took months of searching to find it!
Kendi says
I got these (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0020ML762/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1) about 6 or 7 months ago to control my PB bedside sconces (http://www.potterybarn.com/products/adjustable-arc-sconce/?pkey=csconces-wall-lamps&cm_src=sconces-wall-lamps||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-). The switches on those lamps are up at the top of the shade…IMPOSSIBLE to turn off without getting out of bed or at least getting up on your knees and reaching. They are beautiful lamps and I love them dearly, but that is a seriously horrible design flaw for something that is meant to be a bedside lamp…and something that is pretty pricey. Anyway, I searched around Amazon for a remote system with the EXPRESS requirement that I be able to access the other outlet, and these fit the bill perfectly!!! Plus they were only about $25 (normal price) for the set. They work great. I have the third one set up with an electric heater so that we can turn it off from bed if it gets too hot in the room when the sun starts coming up. As a bonus, the remotes come with an old-school pull-out antenna, hahaha. It’s totally not necessary to pull out the antenna when you’re using it in the same room (maybe you would need it if you wanted to control the lights from across the house), but I still think it’s funny to do so around unsuspecting guests who are all like…what the heck is that thing…. hahaha ;D Anyway, I would definitely recommend them if you decide to try out a different set…or for any of your other readers that realized what a great idea these remotes are (if they read this far into the comments, anyway…I’m willing to bet no one will ever read my comment haha).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I’ll read your comment Kendi! Thanks for the tip!
xo
s
Spring in RVA says
After reading this, I clicked onto Amazon and the Magic
came today. Plugged one in, velcroed the remote near my laundry closet doors, and voila! the chandelier above the
washer/dryer shines! Thanks for all your WONDERFUL ideas!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so glad!
xo
s
Nicole says
Husband just installed a USB outlet for me so I don’t need the wall warts for the iphone and ipad. Just plug in the cables and I’m good to go. Or anything else that charges by USB. Next he’s going to be installing a whole house surge protector!
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Jess says
Where did you get your table top fan?
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Bed Bath & Beyond a while back (use one of those 20% coupons if you go!).
xo
s
Jess says
Would you happen to know what brand it is? I really like how it has a clean simple look to it, unlike most table top fans. I also really like the silver base and can’t seem to find anything similar to it.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s a Hunter fan. We’ve had it a few years but I think I see them around (at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, on amazon.com) so hopefully it’s still around.
xo
s