Confession: up until a few weeks ago, the only TV we had in the house was an old fashioned boxy one we got for $100 when we first got married. For years, the button has been broken and we’ve had to use a chopstick to turn it on. Well, that poor old TV finally gave up the ghost a couple of weeks ago, and it was time for our family to join the rest of the world and get a flat screen TV. The only problem was that the new TV didn’t fit in the armoire (that I scored for $5 at a yard sale. true story. read about it here.)
We needed a media cabinet of some sort, and we needed it quick! Can you say, “Toddler in the house?” A few days ago, I walked into the garage and saw one lonely shelf on the wall, and a light bulb went off in my brain. See:
What? It doesn’t look like a media cabinet to you? You aren’t in love with the dingy green felt backing? Or the cobwebs or the hornet’s nest that was hiding in one corner? You aren’t alone. Hubby felt the same way. Well, I didn’t let all that stop me.
I cleaned the thing really well, ripped off the felt backing, and brought it inside. One end was finished off, but the other end looked like it was missing a piece:
So I cut a 1×12 down to the right width and length and used wood glue and nails to attach it. I also added a 1×12 to the top to make it look finished.
Everything got a light sanding and some wood putty. Then I mixed up half a quart of leftover gray paint with half a quart of cream paint and went to town.
Added the adjustable shelves back in, and voila! Media cabinet! From something I found in my garage! And it cost me absolutely nothing since I used supplies I had laying around.
I love it! I love it even more because I didn’t spend a dime on it. Cheapskate thrills, you know. I’m doing a happy dance right now.
Can you believe it? I mean, seriously, look at the before and after pics, folks! Talk about trash to treasure!
Comments & Reviews
I love it! You clever girl :-). Thanks for sharing.
WOW! That is seriously amazing! That is one well-deserved happy dance. I would never have dreamed that that media cabinet ever looked like those shelves, you did a FANTASTIC job! Won't you ome to my house, please? We need your touch!!
It looks awesome! I love cheapskate thrills. For some reason (i guess cause it was wall shelf?) I expected to see it mounted on your wall. It works so well, the color is perfect & it looks so pretty decorated. Great job!
Wow! I wish I had such a keen eye!
Thank you, friends! It's so fun to share these kinds of projects with all of you, especially when I get such kind comments!
This came out really great! I love that you did it without spending any money! The part about turning on the TV with a chopstick is too funny! When I was growing up we had a TV that was stuck on channel 7. For years, we could not watch any other channel! Pinning!
That's awesome! Hopefully channel 7 was a good one. 😉