Revamping Our Entertainment Center: A DIY Journey
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Chapter 1: The TV Dilemma
A few years back, my wife and I found ourselves in need of a new television after our reliable old Toshiba rear-projection TV unexpectedly stopped working. Unlike the gradual failures that usually signal the end for electronics, our Toshiba simply powered down one morning, leaving us scrambling for a replacement.
This situation was particularly challenging because our beloved Toshiba was housed in a custom entertainment center we had built to accommodate our extensive collection of vinyl records and CDs. As a composer and a music enthusiast, we had amassed so many albums that we needed a specially designed unit to hold most of them. With the introduction of flat-screen TVs, we knew replacing the Toshiba meant we would also have to rethink our entertainment setup.
After purchasing a stunning LG LED television, we realized we couldn’t set it up immediately; it remained in its box while we searched for someone to help redesign our entertainment center.
We reached out to our handyman and a few local woodworkers for recommendations. Unfortunately, we only found two potential candidates. We typically prefer to tackle projects ourselves, not only for the satisfaction it brings but also to avoid the peculiarities that often come with hiring help.
Section 1.1: The First Candidate
The first individual who came to assess the project arrived in tattered jeans that looked as though they’d been through a wild animal encounter. His sweat-soaked shirt filled the room with an unpleasant odor.
“Wow,” he remarked as he examined the unit, clicking his tongue thoughtfully. “This is going to be quite a job. I’ll figure it out as I go, but it’ll set you back around $1700.”
$1700? That seemed oddly precise for a task he was unsure how to tackle. We promptly thanked him and moved on to the second candidate.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Second Candidate
The second candidate was an older gentleman with a large belly, resembling a character from ZZ Top. He inquired about the cost of the TV and scanned our living room for anything of value before announcing, “Yep, this is a big job. I’d say we can get this done for about $1800.” We decided to end our search there, feeling unsettled by both candidates.
Section 1.2: The DIY Solution
I turned to my wife and suggested a simple solution: build a box within a box. Instead of mounting the TV directly onto the wall, we would create a faux wall inside the existing entertainment unit. She agreed, and we began measuring everything necessary for the project.
A trip to Home Depot resulted in us purchasing five sturdy pieces of lumber, which we had cut to size. Next, we headed to Best Buy for a full-motion TV bracket.
We secured the heavy 4x4 lumber to the existing framework, ensuring proper support for the TV's weight. With two horizontal reinforcements and additional planks in place, we positioned the TV at an ideal height, effectively concealing the space left by the old model.
The final result was remarkable! My wife applied several coats of black paint, enhancing the appearance, and we even created space for a larger subwoofer and a removable door for easy access to the electronics.
You might be curious about the total cost of this DIY project. With all our tools on hand, we only needed to purchase lumber, paint, and the TV bracket. The grand total? A mere $320.
Years later, the setup remains functional and aesthetically pleasing. The best part is that the money saved allowed us to invest in even more vinyl records!
For a deeper dive into DIY projects, check out "That DIY Show | Episode 01" on YouTube, where you can find inspiration for your own creative endeavors.
Additionally, don’t miss "NEW SHOW - LET 'ER RIP - THE SERIES" for more engaging DIY content.