How to Build a Built-In TV Center

Planning and Framing the Built-In

• 1

  Draw up a sketch of your desired TV center. Your TV center will feature a large TV compartment with shelves underneath, as well as a vertical shelving unit to the right of the TV compartment.

• 2

  Use a measuring tape to measure the space where you intend to install your built-in TV center. Take the length, depth and height of the space and add these measurements to your sketch. Measure your TV, as well, to ensure that it will fit in the space allotted for it.

• 3

  Cut two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood to the desired length and depth of your TV center, using a circular saw. These boards will serve as the top and bottom panels for your frame.

• 4

  Use the depth of the TV center and the height, minus 1 1/2-inches, to cut two sheets of 3/4-inch plywood for the side panels. Cut an additional sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to these same dimensions to serve as the divider for your vertical shelving unit.

• 5

  Stand the four plywood panels you just cut upright on their longest narrow edges. Arrange the panels into a rectangle shape, sandwiching the side panels between the ends of the top and bottom panels. Align the edges of all four panels then secure the frame by driving 2-inch wood screws through the top and bottom panels into the side panels.

• 6

  Use the circular saw to cut a large sheet of 3/4-inch plywood to the length and height of your TV center. Lay this sheet of plywood flat on top of the plywood frame you just constructed to serve as the back panel. Attach the back panel by driving 2-inch wood screws through the plywood into the frame beneath.

• 7

  Measure and mark the desired position for the divider for the vertical shelving unit. Slide the plywood divider vertically between the top and bottom panels where you made your marks. Secure the divider in place by driving 2-inch wood screws through the top, bottom and back panels into the thickness of the divider.

Framing and Installing the TV Center

• 8

  Cut two or more sheets of 3/4-inch plywood, using the depth dimension of the built-in and the length of the TV compartment, to serve as the TV support and the shelves beneath. Measure and mark the intended position for these shelves on the left side panel and the vertical divider in pencil.

• 9

  Slide the shelves you just cut horizontally into place between the left side panel and the vertical divider. Have someone hold the shelves up as you drive 2-inch wood screws through the side panel, back panel and vertical divider into the shelves to attach them securely.

• 10

  Divide the total height of the TV center by the desired height for the shelves in your vertical shelving unit to determine how many shelves you need to cut. Cut these shelves from 3/4-inch plywood using the depth of the TV center and the length of the shelving unit.

• 11

  Install the shelves horizontally between the vertical divider and the right side panel at the desired interval. Drive 2-inch wood screws through the divider, side panel and back panel to attach the shelves to the frame.

• 12

  Paint or stain your completed TV center to match the existing decor scheme in your room. Once the paint or stain has dried completely you may choose to apply a coat of clear varnish or polyurethane.

• 13

  Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you intend to install your TV center. Mark the position of each stud lightly on the wall in pencil above the height of the TV center. You can erase these marks later.

• 14

  Slide the completed TV center against the wall in the desired position. Secure the built-in in place by driving 3-inch wood screws through the back panel into the wall studs. Place a screw in each corner and at least three screws through each stud.