Asked on Mar 19, 2014
Any ideas on re-8purposing this large tv entertainment unit?
+27
I recently bought a flat screen tv and a much smaller wall unit for the LR (14 in deep). This large unit is 24 inches deep, 45 inches wide and 80 inches tall. Any ideas on re-purposing it? It is nice wood and has foldable doors that I removed. Wish I had a table saw and could cut it in half depth-wise (if that's even possible). The depth and how much it sticks out from the wall is the problem. I saw where a celebrity had re-purposed one for the kitchen to hang her pots and pans in. Hate to get rid of a quality piece of furniture. Could put it in my sewing/craft room if I could figure out a way to make it to a depth of 12-14 inches. It's on my porch at present.
Large tv unit, 24 in deep, 45 in wide, 80 in tall. Sticks out from wall too far and takes up too much space. Height and width not a problem.
29 answers
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I know you said it would be too deep for your sewing room, but maybe once you see this idea you'll find a way to make it work. I'd love to find a similar armoire for my sewing machine. http://lindycottagehill.blogspot.com/2011/01/magic-sewing-table.html
![Z]()
Z
on Mar 19, 2014
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Put a new panel on the back, maybe a beadboard panel. Take out the platform for the dvr and build 2 or 3 shelves to go on the inside. It could be used as a bookshelf/ craft storage, or really store anything you want. It is a beautiful piece of furniture, and I see why you want to keep it.
![Lauri Black / Shabby 2 Uniquely Chic]()
Lauri Black / Shabby 2 Uniquely Chic
on Mar 19, 2014
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My first thought was to use it as a closet/drawer. Remove the platform repair the back and ad a rod for hangers.
![Hanna Fredriksson]()
Hanna Fredriksson
on Mar 20, 2014
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We use ours as an Armoire for my husband's foldable clothes. Just makes shelves easily with the shelves fasteners and cut some boards and stain to match your color.
![Ana M]()
Ana M
on Mar 20, 2014
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I think I would put shelves in the top and paint it and use it in the garage for storage.
![Marlene Wilson]()
Marlene Wilson
on Mar 20, 2014
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Do you have a space somewhere else in the house to put it where it will be out of the way? Like others have suggested you could use it for clothing storage or a craft cabinet. I turned mine into a craft center. I will be painting it too. I love being able to close the doors on my clutter.
![Ene19230]()
Ene19230
on Mar 20, 2014
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I think I would use this as a kitchen or dining room cupboard. Remove the hardware and that back panel and replace it with some beadboard. Add shelving (open wrought iron or glass is great if you want to add a light at the top to showcase some collectibles. It looks like the wood is in pretty good shape, so maybe just go over with some scratch polish.
![Country Design Home]()
Country Design Home
on Mar 20, 2014
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Check inside the piece to see if the construction is all in one or two - top and bottom. If two, separate them. then cut the top piece back to the depth you want. You can reattach it to the bottom and visually it will appear smaller.
![Deborah]()
Deborah
on Mar 20, 2014
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Yesterday there was a post on hometalk called Day in the life of a furniture painter. I went to their blog and they redid some furniture like this....very nice. Some with lights in them. One more word....PINTEREST. They have pics of tons of makeovers for furniture.
![Thelma H]()
Thelma H
on Mar 20, 2014
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I would put beadboard in the back. Then I would put the front doors back on it (it looks like they were removed. I would put shallow trays in those bins in the bottom of the top to hold extra small items we always need a place for. Then I would make a free standing shelf unit to fit inside. Then paint it a flat charcoal followed by a satin varnish. This would make a PERFECT linen closet. Blankets on top, sheets and pillow cases in the drawers...and all those things we all have...table clothes, etc. Put it in the extra bedroom or in a corner of the den.
![Jeanette S]()
Jeanette S
on Mar 20, 2014
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I would love something like this as a wine/coffee station. Fix the back, add shelves, wine glass racks, hooks for coffee cups and you have a place for a coffee maker and plenty of storage for all the accoutrements for your morning cut and your evening glass. Take out the top drawers and add baskets...paint it and make it a Wow piece.
![Terra Gazelle]()
Terra Gazelle
on Mar 20, 2014
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For me, it would become a linen closet. I would see what I could do about changing the doors so they don't hide away, but change in a traditional way. That way you could shelf the open area. And I second the idea of backing the unity with beadboard.
![Lori J]()
Lori J
on Mar 20, 2014
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Dining room for a dish hutch. I would consider painting it ASCP Graphite and distressing it you want a different look. I am a lover of traditional, but starting to change it up a bit. Look at pictures and see what strikes your fancy. Chalk paint is easy because you don't have to sand but you have to put a wax or clear coat of polyurethane to seal. I have a similar hutch pinned on one of my boards.
![LB]()
LB
on Mar 20, 2014
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I, TOO, THOUGHT OF REPLACING THE BACK, TAKING OUT THE ELECTRONIC STAND AND ADDING SHELVES AND THE DOORS. WHAT A LOVELY ARMOIRE IT WOULD MAKE!
![Andrea]()
Andrea
on Mar 21, 2014
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A Barmoire!
![That's So Creative!]()
That's So Creative!
on Mar 21, 2014
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Is there any way of taking the unit apart? Looks like the top portion with the first row of drawers and trim under that is a separate unit/piece from the bottom part that is connected with screws and possibly glue and another strip of wood from the inside. Take out all the drawers and see if I am right. IF the unit is two large pieces, maybe you can take it apart and just use the bottom portion? If the top to the bottom portion has been ruined, you could apply a veneer sheet that already has glue on it. Then just cut to size, and iron it on. I have used veneer sheets that come in a roll to resurface dressers, tables etc in the past, and they have turned out beautiful. Or you can fill the holes with wood fillers, sand, prime, and use chalk or milk paint as the finish. Second option if the unit does not come apart and is one large unit, I would take out all the drawers, and backing, and measure the depth you prefer all around the unit with a waterproof marker. Get a circular saw and saw the unit in half from the top to the bottom doing each side at a time on a large work area. They apply a new backing. to the whole unit. You might need to use a sander where you did your cut lines to even it out, but I am sure it will look great. I had a unit the size of yours in the past, but I decided to sell it and get a new smaller unit for my new flat screen TV. I think you have many options. Your unit would also look nice in a dining room with framed glass doors, new shelves and backing. Wish I had some pics to send you.
![Kim Dagenais]()
Kim Dagenais
on Mar 21, 2014
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The first thing that popped into my head upon seeing this is:Paint the entire piece, then repair the back, and cover the interior back with a silk or velvet look material. Leave the electronics shelves for character, hang some very small Fairy style pendant lights from the inside top, and place framed photos of family on the electronic shelves as an open armoire piece. It would be beautiful in a bedroom or any room really!
![Therese C]()
Therese C
on Mar 21, 2014
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I clipped the photo below a couple years ago because I thought this idea would be such a neat way to repurpose an old TV cabinet. I can't remember where the photo came from but ever since I saw this, I have been on the lookout for a used cabinet I could remake and slide into a little alcove my daughter has in her laundry room. Her kitchen is short on cabinet space and something like this would be perfect for extra pantry storage. However, the width of her alcove is just a HAIR less than 36 inches (darn builder!) and every decent cabinet I have come across is 36+ inches (but generally much wider).
![Shari]()
Shari
on Mar 21, 2014
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How about putting in your yard for a potting shed? Finish it in a fun color, add a new back- maybe a trellis-type material. You could hang hooks, add jars, store potting soil, etc.
![Pat Asquith]()
Pat Asquith
on Mar 22, 2014
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I have a similar one that I re-purposed into a bar and linen storage area. Covered the hole in the back with a picture, added hanging stemware racks to the top, added lights and made the part that pulls out and swivels into the wine/liquor storage area. It came out great! The drawers are used for tablecloths, placemats, napkins, etc. Love it!
![Bhedges]()
Bhedges
on Mar 22, 2014
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What a beauty and a great find you have there. I would suggest removing the TV shelf the glider bars for the doors. Paint it what ever color you desire a crisp clean white or egg shell might be nice. The hardware you have on those drawers (the pulls) they are a nice nickel color so I would accent the white in Nickel. I would install shelves, you could get at least 2 inside maybe 3. If you do not want to use the drawers below take the fronts off the drawers then add shelves inside to whatever depth. The front of the drawers attach and add a solid piece of wood hinged behind the drawer fronts then you have what appears to be drawers but in reality it is doors do this on each side and i would leave the smaller 2 drawers. Use this in a hallway or entrance for extra storage, kitchen or dinning room or maybe linens. You could also do narrow shelves where the TV use to be. Purchase a wood top table cut it in half mount and hinge to the back wall where you will need to add additional support with some studs like 1x2 or 2x2 behind bead board or a birch ply board. Cut the table top in half use a piano hinge hefty style.... screw together and create a Murphy type desk using residual 2 table legs for support which can also be folding. Hope I explained this well enough and did not confuse you. You have quite a treasure there in my opinion. Happy refurbishing.....
![Jo Dee Bradley]()
Jo Dee Bradley
on Mar 31, 2014
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scrapbook (crafts) cabinet would be great
![Cindi Kessinger]()
Cindi Kessinger
on May 19, 2014
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WOULD MAKE A GREAT HUTCH OR CHINE CAB WOULD LOOK GREAT AS A CHILDS STORAGE ROBE
![Vonzella Crawley]()
Vonzella Crawley
on May 20, 2014
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I need plenty of storage for my cd and dvd collections. I did one of these cabinets with the stand alone drawer units and added my collection to it. If u like this idea go to somewhere like Target or Lowes and get storage ideas.
![Phillis Raid]()
Phillis Raid
on Jun 14, 2014
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You could put an entire enclosed office inside. A good way to get it out of sight.
![Darla]()
Darla
on Jun 14, 2014
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Redo the back, add a closet rod, put doors back on and it would be great for a small child's dresser. Could paint it up for a kiddo too. I like the linen closet idea too. I have an entertainment center in my foyer that needs to be moved somewhere. It's 19 inches deep. Don't really have room for it or a need.
![Jodi]()
Jodi
on Jun 14, 2014
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I turned mine into a bar. installed the metal glass holders for glasses..small bar items fit under the shelf and liquor around. Mine had a plug for the old TV so I have a small cute lamp in it--so I can see what I'm mixing. napkins and bar items in drawers-extra holiday entertaining storage etc.
![Sonya dervenis]()
Sonya dervenis
on Nov 19, 2014
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I would put a piece of plywood up on the back..wall paper it, add shelves and use it for a pantry.
![Terra Gazelle]()
Terra Gazelle
on Nov 20, 2014
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You could use it to put a sewing machine in and sewing supplies or a craft cabinet. It could be used for scrapbooking supplies or craft supplies.
![Pat Veronesi]()
Pat Veronesi
on Aug 08, 2016
Z
on Mar 19, 2014
Lauri Black / Shabby 2 Uniquely Chic
on Mar 19, 2014
Hanna Fredriksson
on Mar 20, 2014
Ana M
on Mar 20, 2014
Marlene Wilson
on Mar 20, 2014
Ene19230
on Mar 20, 2014
Country Design Home
on Mar 20, 2014
Deborah
on Mar 20, 2014
Thelma H
on Mar 20, 2014
Jeanette S
on Mar 20, 2014
Lori J
on Mar 20, 2014
LB
on Mar 20, 2014
Andrea
on Mar 21, 2014
That's So Creative!
on Mar 21, 2014
Kim Dagenais
on Mar 21, 2014
Therese C
on Mar 21, 2014
Shari
on Mar 21, 2014
Pat Asquith
on Mar 22, 2014
Bhedges
on Mar 22, 2014
Jo Dee Bradley
on Mar 31, 2014
Cindi Kessinger
on May 19, 2014
Vonzella Crawley
on May 20, 2014
Phillis Raid
on Jun 14, 2014
Darla
on Jun 14, 2014
Jodi
on Jun 14, 2014
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