There’s no denying that your new TV looks great hanging on wall mounts in your living room. Wall-mounted TVs are all the rage for the way they instantly transform any home into a contemporary-style beacon, and the effect on your abode is no exception. You clearly made the right choice in choosing a TV stand over a stand.
But if there’s anything to be said against flat-screen mounts, it’s that they don’t come with anywhere to put your electronics. That means you could be left with no convenient way to store your Xbox 360 or DVD player close enough to the TV that cables can reach it. An easy solution to this problem is to install shelves under the TV.
If you’re comfortable tackling DIY projects, building your own bookcase can save you a lot of money compared to commercially built products. Shelving units under flat screen mounts can be as basic or intricate as you like, allowing you to easily tailor the project to your skill level. The following instructions are intended to help beginners install two simple storage shelves under a wall-mounted TV.
Tools and materials needed.
Two planks of your favorite wood (Note: The length of the planks will be determined by the size of your TV. You can make the shelves exactly the same length as your TV, or about 3-5 inches shorter at each end. Width/depth should be at least 10 inches to facilitate storage of electronic equipment).
- electric drill
- screwdriver
- wood screws
- Level
- measuring tape
- Standard single or double rail brackets and shelf (double rail is commonly used for heavy-duty support).
- Pencil
- stud finder
1. Find the anchor bolts.Use the stud sensor to locate the studs that will hold the standard shelving in place. In most cases, a standard one-way will be attached to the same stud as the TV mount’s wall brackets. For a standard double track, you’ll want to use the studs to the left and right of the one that holds the TV. Mark the beam(s) with the pencil.
2. Determine the installation height for the top shelf.It is very important to get a good measurement here. If you install the shelf too close to the bottom of your TV, then you won’t have enough space for your electronics. If you leave too much space between the shelf and the TV wall mounts, the whole unit can look a bit awkward or unbalanced. Use the tape measure and pencil for this step, and be sure to accommodate the height of your electronics and the thickness of your wood planks. Also note that flat panel tilt mounts allow the TV to be tilted forward by 15-20 degrees, which may affect your measurements.
3. Install standard shelves and brackets. Using your electric drill, secure the tops of standard single or double rail shelves in the locations identified in the previous step. Before fully tightening each screw, be sure to check the vertical straightness of the standard with your level. Once the standards are in place, hook the shelf supports into the desired locations. It will also be necessary to check the horizontal straightness from one support to another in a standard double track rack.
4. Install the shelves. Use the screwdriver and wood screws to secure each plank of wood to the brackets. Check that the shelves are secure in place before loading them with your electronics.
By following the instructions in this easy DIY project, you can create a convenient and attractive storage area directly under your wall-mounted TV for less than $100. Having shelves close by makes flat screen mounts just as practical for your home entertainment needs as a full-size TV stand, so start building yours today.