This post is going to show you how to use a repurposed tv to make a new and useful piece of furniture.
This is one of many t.v. cabinets I recently picked up at my local Habitat ReStore over the Summer.
Here you can see them all lined up ready to be sanded and painted.
This is after they were all primed. The one I’m showing you today is the one in the very front (left). Check out what I did with the plastic console and chicken wire (the one in the back-right)
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While I was painting some cabinets recently, I had some paint left in my Finish Max, so I gave this a quick coat of white.
After further investigation I found that there were some pieces that needed to be removed in order to move forward.
I got busy with a socket, hammer and pry bar to remove the casing around the inside.
I wanted to put a back on this piece, to do that, I needed to remove this lip across the bottom. (back) I used my jigsaw to cut it off.
I of course wanted to cover up all this mess on the bottom shelf. I used some Gorilla Glue Wood Glue.
Then I nailed a thin piece of plywood down with my nail gun.
I didn’t have anything to use for a shelf, so I made a shelf using 3 1x’s connected with Kreg Jig pocket hole screws. Whenever I use my Kreg Jig, I mark lines where I want my holes to go. Using a pocket hole jig can get confusing if you’re not careful.
I love using this Kreg Face Clamp
After I joined my three boards, I gave it a quick sanding.
I used some temporary scrap pieces of wood to raise the shelf to where I wanted it to go. I installed the shelf using pocket holes.
I gave the piece a quick coat of diy chalk paint, then added some bead board to the back.
To get a good finish on the piece, I paired my HomeRight Finish Max with some Plaster of Paris, and Behr Premium Plus Paint.
After one coat of DIY chalk paint sprayed on with the Finish Max
After allowing that DIY chalk paint to dry, I then used the Finish Max & Behr Premium Plus paint straight up to do a topcoat.
I love how this paint works with the Finish Max!
This is the hardware that belongs on this T.V. console. It’s still the original white when I sprayed it the first time.
My question to you is, what color do you think I should spray the hardware? Or perhaps use some rub-n-buff? I look forward to hearing what you think!
gail
see other project ideas for old tvs below:
Aubrey says
December 22, 2015 at 11:17 amDo you have to thin your paint down to use the sprayer?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
December 25, 2015 at 10:10 amYes, I always thin the paint, and strain it for the best results. Cleanup is a breeze (and a must) which offers you a perfect finish every time. 🙂
Heather Schroeder says
July 22, 2015 at 6:04 pmHello. I am repurposing these as well, but have been reading that there is some shock danger in gutting. No problems with the first(and I just went at it not knowing the danger), but have picked up another and now am nervous! How do you remove the tv tube safely to avoid any old stored electric current? Thanks!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com says
July 22, 2015 at 6:10 pmI’ve only personally removed one myself. I don’t think I even knew about a possible danger of shock, only about not letting the tube to break. Perhaps you could call a local repair shop for some advice. I have heard they may even take the guts off your hands because they have regular pickups to recycle them.
be safe!
gail
Heather Schroeder says
July 22, 2015 at 6:14 pmThank you!
Mike says
April 15, 2014 at 11:33 pmWhat did you do with all the tubes? I see some really nice tv sets on craigslist but I don’t know where to take the tubes when the are removed from the wood.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
April 16, 2014 at 12:57 pmI bought my t.v. already gutted. but this site might be helpful http://www.scrapmetaljunkie.com/775/scrap-television-and-scrap-tv
gail
Kalamity Kelli says
November 20, 2013 at 4:35 pmWhat beautiful pieces! Very clever. As for color, I would say that white is really pretty! 🙂
Sarah says
November 19, 2013 at 9:33 amThat looks really awesome!!! It’s hardly recognizable how, well, moderate it looked before!!! I just discovered your blog and couldn’t stop reading, I really find everything so interesting. I am running a blog presentation on my blog at the moment, maybe you would like to participate? More info you can find here: http://blog.no-ordinary-stuff.com/2013/11/may-i-introduce-your-blog-november.html
Cheers, Sarah
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
November 19, 2013 at 6:09 pmThank you Sarah! I’ll check it out.
gail
Pat says
November 16, 2013 at 4:14 pmWow! you got lots of activity on this post girl!
I read it earlier in the week…but don’t think I got to leave a reply…
LOVE this repurposed idea. I’ve seen people make pet beds out of these. I personally… think it would make a great flat screen console. If I ever get a flat screen…I want one of these to put it on and have my other components underneath… Yeah…quirky I know.
As to hardware. I would think ORB paint was look classy and not blend too much with the dark paint… I can’t remember what a rub and buff is…but, whatever you do. It will turn out great I’m sure.
– Pat
Amber says
November 14, 2013 at 4:22 pmYou are total crafty genius. I love your work. I think the handles would be fun in a bright, bold color like coral or jade green.
Kim@reposhture says
November 14, 2013 at 10:10 amLove this transformation Gail. I vote for brassy gold for the handles. It just makes black look rich and warm. Or maybe branch out a bit and go for copper?????? and then add copper highlights in Rub N’ Buff? Maybe I am wanting Fall back with this suggestion since Pittsburgh had abot a week of it and then we went right to winter…….. Either way, you’ll make it look just right.
XO,
KIm
linda says
November 14, 2013 at 1:46 amI think silver would look good….great job on the project
Mindi says
November 14, 2013 at 12:52 amWow look at all those consoles!! So awesome! I love reading your posts Gail! I would totally do a color that will stand out from the black, if the rub and buff does that then give it a try! If you spray paint them and don’t like how it looks, you can always spray another color! Good luck! Oh, and thanks for your sweet comment on my blog! 🙂
Kathy Bell says
November 13, 2013 at 11:16 pmblack on black
Kathy Bell says
November 13, 2013 at 11:15 pmblack
Kate says
November 13, 2013 at 9:50 pmIf it was for my house, I’d paint the hardware RED. I like a pop of color.
Erica says
November 13, 2013 at 7:09 pmseems like if you took the base off you could stack these to make a really impressive shelf unit.
Sandy Trulson says
November 13, 2013 at 4:51 pmRup & Buff on the dark side.. An Awesome project!!
Sandy Trulson says
November 13, 2013 at 4:50 pmRup & Buff on the dark side.. Ane Awesome project!!
Nadine says
November 13, 2013 at 2:18 pmAmazing as always! The Rub and Buff is probably practical but I would do some wild color that pops…like turquoise or lime green.
Dawn says
November 13, 2013 at 2:18 pmLove the redo! I would choose a deep magenta or red for a modern jolt. silver or brushed nickel for the traditional look. I might also paint the edge of the shelf in the same color. A little color hours a long way to convey style. Other than that, it’s done.
Stephanie@cre8tive says
November 13, 2013 at 1:59 pmRub-n-buff those puppies gold or silver 🙂 Of course my first choice is gold lol
Shirley says
November 13, 2013 at 1:43 pmI love this! Bronze or Pewter would be my choice. Take care of that shoulder.
KG says
November 13, 2013 at 1:01 pmYou’re fantastically good!
This looks amazing!!
Keep it Touched,
KG
http://www.kgstyleinc.com
Pam says
November 13, 2013 at 12:49 pmAt first glace I wondered what Gail was up to next! LOL…..I love it. I actually have a piece like this that was given to me. I put my tv on it in the bedroom and the DVR’s and stuff like that on the shelve….but I hung a curtain in front of all that…..Great job.
Connie Aguliar-Quevedo says
November 13, 2013 at 12:13 pmI would do the rub n buff in a shiny silver!
Jeanie says
November 13, 2013 at 12:08 pmI think some hammered brass spray paint would look nice on the hardware.
girlfromwva says
November 13, 2013 at 12:05 pmLooks awesome! I would use the rub & buff!!!
Randy Carpadus says
November 13, 2013 at 12:03 pmI’m in Northern California and have two of these TV’s for free if anybody wants to try this. We don’t have the space for the projects (wife has a stack of other shabby-chic projects backed up).
Carmen says
November 13, 2013 at 11:51 amjust want to know, did you have to prep it, like prime it and what type of paint
should be used on furniture? Thx. your work is inspiring.
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
November 13, 2013 at 12:01 pmCarmen,
I did prep it with diy chalk paint, and then used Behr premium plus paint for the finishing coat (which is my favorite paint for furniture)
gail
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking says
November 13, 2013 at 11:45 amYou are a real production line… amazing woman!
katie says
November 13, 2013 at 11:31 amI don’t understand the need for so many layers of paint… I understand the primer, but then white and 3 layers of black? Why so many? And how come the chalk paint isnt your final coat? Why not just 2 solid layers of the black chalk paint and some wax? Just seems like a lot of extra steps to acquire the same desired look…
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
November 13, 2013 at 12:04 pmKatie,
The original coat of primer was just to get the “ugly” off of it, so I could decide what I wanted to do with it. The coat of white was because I had some paint left in my sprayer and thought it would look good white. After adding the shelf, I decided it wanted it to be black. Because the white paint was semi-gloss, I needed to prep it with some kind of primer, so I chose the DIY chalk paint primer. That took two coats. I finished it off with Behr semi-gloss instead of wax because I have a bad shoulder and waxing and buffing hurts too bad. The sprayer is so easy, that even though it seems like a lot of extra steps, it was very easy on this old gal to get the look she wanted. 😉
gail
Debbie says
November 13, 2013 at 11:29 amlove the finished produck why not antique the hardware? wish i had some things to do this with. i never go hunting for furniture like this and missed out on an old lounge chair that was dirty and icky sitting by a trash bin.. think that would have had to been stripped to the bones and re-padded then upholstered..I have no tools or i would have.. they are on my wish list this year.. drill, stapler, saw dremle tool
Janet Mackey says
November 13, 2013 at 11:13 amEither brushed gold or silver would look really good.
Lynn says
November 13, 2013 at 10:54 amLove it…. what is Finish Max? So you did chalk first, then mixture of Finish Max and POP, and then chalk paint again?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
November 13, 2013 at 11:03 amLynn
Finish Max is a great paint sprayer from my friends at HomeRight.
These are the steps I took
a diy chalk paint with POP, brushed on. (using an oops black)
a diy chalk paint with POP sprayed with the Finish Max (using the same oops black)
A topcoat of Behr Premium Plus semi-gloss paint in Beluga (no POP)
I hope that clears it up for you. I’m here if you have any other questions.
gail
Peggy says
November 14, 2013 at 11:05 amLove what you did! I just bought two heavy duty bedside tables with drawers on Monday from Craigs list, both for $30, which I consider a steal as I have been pricing tables like these for about 6 months. They are probably from the 80’s. I want to paint them black to match my dressers and change out the (gold/brass-looking) hardware to a modern pewter. I love the Behr paint because of the final finish and the fact that it already has primer in it. I keep hearing about chalk paint…what is it and why did you chose to use it versus regular black paint? Thanks!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
November 14, 2013 at 11:17 amPeggy,
I had painted this with some white semi-gloss because I thought I wanted it to be white. The behr semi-gloss paint would not stick to the white paint. I use a little plaster of paris paste in latex paint to make a very flat primer that will virtually stick to anything. You can see how I do it here: http://bit.ly/chalkyPAINTprimer
I’m here if you have any other questions, have fun with your bedside tables!
gail
Nancy says
November 13, 2013 at 10:19 amGood morning Gail. You have an uncanny imagination combined with very great skills! I’m so jealous. I agree with Margaret, I think that brushed nickel, pewter, or the like would be a good choice.
Margaret says
November 13, 2013 at 9:51 amHi Gail. Love the idea of reusing these cabinets! Although I like black and white, unless I were doing this project for a custom order, I would stick with something a little more generic, like brushed nickel or pewter – or that effect from a paint.
Tamara Tasse says
November 13, 2013 at 9:44 amWonderful job! As for the hardware, I have fallen in love with that rubbed bronze spray paint but I’m not sure it would pair well with black. Pewter looks wonderful with black and would add a nice, subtle contrast. I fear the white is too much of a contrast and would distract from the overall look. Great project and goes to show you that with a little TLC, almost anything can be transformed into a useful piece.
Meg Karetny says
November 13, 2013 at 9:41 amI love this! I would paint the hardware a fun bright color 🙂 aqua, coral or chartreuse! haha!
Bliss says
November 13, 2013 at 9:36 amJust passed one of these by on the curb because I could not visualize a completed makeover. Wonder if it’s still on the curb?
Kathleen says
November 13, 2013 at 9:16 amBeautiful. Are you selling this? As far as the hardware, check out my blog – the graphic paisley buffet. I left mine white on the black buffet. I need one of those sprayers!!!!!
Dawn says
November 13, 2013 at 9:13 amI would consider pewter and/or ebony r-n-b. Very nice work…you’re quite talented and I’m quite envious and live my diy asperations through you and all the other diy gals.
Kim says
November 13, 2013 at 8:49 amI think a matte silver would look good on the hardware.
maryellen says
November 13, 2013 at 8:40 amI would spray them brushed nickel
Deepika says
November 13, 2013 at 8:40 amHi you could use a silver or golden paint for the hardware!! silver would look modern while gold is more classic types
Jill says
November 13, 2013 at 8:39 amI would make the handles an antiqued silver or pewter color.
JaeM says
November 13, 2013 at 8:31 amThis looks awesome! I have one of these that my husband keeps trying to convince me to get rid of… your outcome gives me inspiration to redo mine
Kris Holsti says
November 13, 2013 at 8:26 amYOU have cool tools too! 😉 Great re-purpose on this! Hope you are feeling back to your old creative self!!
Holly says
November 13, 2013 at 8:16 amLooks great! I think you should paint them the same as the cabinet.
Darcie (My Modern Country) says
November 13, 2013 at 7:56 amI actually have one of these old consoles in the barn…it has been headed to the junk yard for quite some time, but somehow always seems to be left behind! Love how yours turned out, and I can’t wait to try it on mine 🙂
Terri says
November 13, 2013 at 7:52 amWow…I can’t believe how many of those tv cabinets you have….you are going to be busy! This one turned out awesome!
I think in this case, I would paint the handles the same color as the cabinet!
kirby carespodi says
November 13, 2013 at 6:06 amThis is so awesome! I have a paint sprayer that I haven’t tried yet, and I am going to get a nail gun to make my life easier. I think the rub and buff would be great!
jeanetteann says
November 13, 2013 at 4:51 amI am amazed at how clever you are with old pieces of furniture. You must feel very satisfied when you finish a piece. They look so good. I am not sure what to do with your hardware.