How to Convert a TV Armoire

Remove the existing shelves inside the doors of the armoire.

Secure cork tiles to the back and side walls of the cabinet to cover holes made for the original TV wires.

Measure 28 to 30 inches from the floor and mark on the left and right sides of the inside walls of the cabinet. Measure the maximum opening size when the doors are fully open to determine the width of the sliding shelf, including the drawer glides. Example: Door opening size is 29 inches; glides need 1 inch, plus another one-half inch for possible variance. So the total width of the sliding shelf is 27 1/2 inches.

Make desktop sliding shelf from sanded and stained plywood, Melamine covered particle board or laminate-covered countertop material. Use plank wooden floor sample boards or vinyl tile for a more interesting and custom look.

Attach a set of full extension drawer glides and a wooden shelf to the inside of the cabinet behind the doors. Open the doors and slide the shelf out to use as a computer desk.

Add overhead lighting inside the cabinet using a switched fluorescent under-cabinet light with a plug-in cord.

Attach a surge suppressor strip to the back wall of the cabinet to efficiently turn electricity on and off. Run Internet and electrical wires through the back or side walls of the cabinet.

Attach fixed shelves for storage above the sliding shelf. Measure the height of the monitor or laptop to determine the depth of these fixed shelves. Secure shelving with L brackets or wooden cleats glued and screwed to the back and side walls of the cabinet.

Add to the available desk space by using the drawers under the doors. Cut a one-quarter inch thick plywood or Masonite top for drawers under the cabinet doors. Do not secure this top to the drawer. Remove the top to access the drawer space.

Add storage shelving or file drawers under the sliding desktop in armoires with full length doors. CPU towers, routers and other computer equipment will store easily under the sliding desktop.

Purchase single-file drawers or file storage containers to use under the desktop. Allow room for knee space under the desktop by keeping shelves less than half the depth of the cabinet and arranging equipment on the sides of the cabinet.

Use the inside of the cabinet doors to hang calendars, lists of things to do or your favorite photos.