How to Create Your Own Floating-Cabinet Entertainment Center

Building the Cabinet

• 1

  Lay out two 48-inch 2-by-4 boards on the working surface, parallel to each other on their long, thin sides. Space them 18 inches apart and consider them the vertical frame boards.

• 2

  Set an 18-inch 2-by-4 board between the vertical frame boards at each end so that they form a 21-by-48-inch rectangular frame. Drill two holes through each vertical frame board and into each end of the shorter boards, which are the side frame boards. Attach the boards with 2 1/2-inch wood screws. Repeat to create a second rectangular frame.

• 3

  Set the two frames upright on their long, thin sides, parallel to each other. Space them 24 inches apart. Set a 24-inch 2-by-4 board between the rectangular frames between each of the corners of the frames to make the frames into a large 21-by-31-by-48-inch box frame. Drill two holes through each of the frame boards into each of the ends of these new boards, which are the front and rear support boards. Attach the boards with 2 1/2-inch wood screws.

• 4

  Stand the cabinet upright so that the 21-by-31-inch side is on the ground. Set a 3/4-by-21-by-48-inch plywood board against the sides of the cabinet and attach them with 2 1/2-inch wood screws, spaced every 12 inches around the frame.

• 5

  Set a 3/4-by-21-by-25 1/2-inch plywood board against the top and bottom of the cabinet and attach it with 2 1/2-inch wood screws, spaced every six inches around the frame.

• 6

  Position a 3/4-by-25 1/2-by-49-inch plywood board against the front of the cabinet and set four side-mount cabinet hinges between the this board, which is the door, and one of the side boards. Drill 3/4-inch wood screws into the holes in the hinges to attach them to the door and the side board.

• 7

  Position a magnetic latch between the door and the other side board and attach it with 3/4-inch wood screws through the attachment holes.

• 8

  Place 3/4-by-18-by-24-inch plywood boards within the frame to serve as shelves. Attach them in the chosen positions by placing 2-inch metal L-brackets underneath and above the shelves so the brackets press against the shelf board and each 2-by-4 frame board. Attach the brackets to the shelf with 3/4-inch wood screws and the frame with 1 1/2-inch wood screws.

Attaching the Cabinet to the Wall

• 9

  Locate and mark the wall studs in the attachment area.

• 10

  Position the cabinet against the wall over the marked studs so that as much of the 2-by-4 frame as possible is over wood studs.

• 11

  Drill holes through the frame and into the studs. Attach the frame to the wall with 5-inch wood screws and washers.