Asked on Feb 09, 2016

I have a beautiful cherry wood entertainment center I cant use anymore

Janet
by Janet
Do you have any ideas on what I can do with my beautiful entertainment center? Its tall and holds up to a 40" TV. I have a small home and have a new 50" TV that wont fit in it.
cherry wood entertainment center holds up to a 40" tv doors swing back to the side of cabnet lots of storage slots for CDs and DVDs
  92 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 09, 2016
    What a beautiful unit.Does it by any chance come apart?
  • Hi, I had a similar piece and turned it in to craft storage/office space by adding shelves... http://mylifeonkayderosscreek.com/tv-armoire-office-space/
  • Becky Becky on Feb 09, 2016
    craft storage was going to be my guess, too!
  • MN Mom MN Mom on Feb 09, 2016
    If you can add shelves, it would be great for extra linens, craft storage, making a small home office area
  • Wanda sinnema Wanda sinnema on Feb 09, 2016
    I too am wondering does it come apart,, It looks like it might.. IF it does,,I would remove the lower doors and use baskets to give it less of a big box feel. Especially in a small house.. I'd then reuse the big section in the same way, setting it on top of a heavy style black sofa type table for extra storage in a bedroom, or craft room.for the top section, maybe make the base, and use moulding to get a similar look. If either not possible, I'd sell it.. It is a beautiful piece..Downsizing it so darned hard.. I'm still trying to figure what to keep and not keep..
  • Pjakin61 Pjakin61 on Feb 09, 2016
    I would convert it to use as a wardrobe---add wooden rod inside---love it by the way
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Feb 09, 2016
    I too was going to suggest an office space (shelves w/ a pull out keyboard holder), a wardrobe or even a pantry.
  • Ros3953889 Ros3953889 on Feb 09, 2016
    I Love the way it is! .. Inside, wardrobe or office space.. Good luck!
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Feb 09, 2016
    Linen storage in the bathroom (if you have room) would be my first choice, additional wardrobe would be my second choice, third would be kitchen/pantry addition. Thank you for keeping and reusing such a wonderful piece.
  • Liz Liz on Feb 09, 2016
    The finish is beautiful. Please don't paint over it. Painting furniture is just a passing fad. Lots of people painted furniture in the 1960's, and then when that fad went out, everyone was trying to strip the paint off so they could stain the wood, and have the wood grain look again. Smile! All the above ideas people sent in are great. We have one with shelves and it holds all my craft materials and my husbands small tools. It would make a good pantry, linen cupboard, or place to hold CD'S or DVD'S.
    • Paint Yourself a Smile Paint Yourself a Smile on Feb 09, 2016
      I am giggling at your comment because it's soooo true. I am a furnature painter but I'm selective about what I paint. My grandfather refinished furnature for a living and my child hood was full of watching him strip off paint from that 60's fad.
  • KatAych KatAych on Feb 09, 2016
    Depends on what you need...could become an awesome bar or pantry unit!
  • CK CK on Feb 09, 2016
    We have a similar armoire. We added more shelves inside and use it to store all our old VHS tapes and DVDs. It's in the same room as our TV so it's very handy :-)
  • Barb Barb on Feb 09, 2016
    I have a similar computer cabinet. I plan on making it into storage for my overflow of glass and dishes. I am going to add a couple more shelves but that is about all I have to do.
  • Lillian Herceg Lillian Herceg on Feb 10, 2016
    Hi I would turn it into extra closet /linen space...I would keep it as is ...it is beautiful...I would add a rod, shelf above it, put wall paper at the back and use the bottom part for storing linen...towels... I have very similar piece (had 3 parts) middle one about the size of this one and that is exactly what I did with mine...2 side parts (have beutuful glass doors) I put together facing each other, top part to store beautiful plates and dishes and bottom part for cookware and bakeware...very practical and looks great
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Feb 10, 2016
    Good ideas above. First thought was same as Barb's - china cabinet. I would remove the doors though or repurpose with glass inserts.
  • Ranger Ranger on Feb 10, 2016
    No, leave as is. Whatever you do to it, someone will undo in maybe a 100 years time to enjoy the basic bones of it. Perhaps a closet (top) and shoe cupoboard (bottom)? I agree with Lillian; good opportunity there for more closet space. Or you could ship to New Zealand and give to me... :)
  • 246978 246978 on Feb 10, 2016
    Turn it into a craft cabinet. They are expensive.
  • Kim Kim on Feb 10, 2016
    I made one into a breakfast station.
  • Barb Barb on Feb 10, 2016
    You mentioned your home is small so I would imagine there is not a dedicated work space. I would refit it as an office that can remain in plain view because it is a beautiful piece.
    • Trudy Trudy on Feb 10, 2016
      @Barb Great suggestion! I am envisioning a shelf for books, a file box, some storage baskets and corkboard glued inside the doors.
  • Beth Campbell Beth Campbell on Feb 10, 2016
    Beautiful piece - redo the inside for storage
  • Annette Annette on Feb 10, 2016
    redo the inside to use it for storage. It's such a beautiful piece.
  • Yvonne Yvonne on Feb 10, 2016
    I would die for a piece like this. I'm certain you could find a use for it somewhere. I would love to use this for linen (reminiscent of something French) and store all those bulky winter quilts/blankets. What about putting some new hardware on it just so that it looks a little different to what you're used to. I'm in love with it. Just beautiful. Don't you dare paint it !!!!!
  • TDL Anna TDL Anna on Feb 10, 2016
    I have a similar piece that I have been using as office. But it is time for change, so adding a couple of stacking shelves to use it as a bookcase for our collectible books. Will not damage the wood as others have said, painting is a fad and will pass.
  • Trudy Trudy on Feb 10, 2016
    I agree completely with "painting is a fad and will pass". I just wish is it would hurry up and pass before ALL our antiques are slathered with chalk paint!
    • See 1 previous
    • Liz Liz on Feb 10, 2016
      @Trudy One of the best comments I've read online! So many people who can barely hold a paint brush are ruining such beautiful pieces of furniture. It pains me every time I see the next thing they've ruined. The last one I saw online was a beautiful Empire desk.
  • Pam brimhall Pam brimhall on Feb 10, 2016
    I bought one like this...flipped the doors so the large compartment was on the bottom. I bought a roll-a-way bed and put it inside. The upper shelf and compartment now hold all the bedding. My grandson thinks I'm a genius. He doesn't have to make the bed, just shove it back inside
  • Angela Shumate Angela Shumate on Feb 10, 2016
    Take out the guts, per-say, and put in a rod for clothing and it can be a wardrobe also on the doors inside each you can hang hooks for jewelry on for a man there are space saving tie holders that can be mounted inside of their instead. They fold out to get a tie and then fold in to close it up without getting the ties wrinkled up.Another way to use it would be to rip out the guts again and install a set of drawers that could be for lingerie etc. Hopefully one of these helps as an ideal.
  • Barb Barb on Feb 10, 2016
    Awesome Trudy! Would love to see pics when you are finished!
  • Angela Shumate Angela Shumate on Feb 10, 2016
    Oh another idea would be to separate the top from the bottom and flip the top of the top unit, to now being the base. Using mdf cut out a top for the unit which you could tile now. On the bottom of the same piece just make a top for it and do the same tile work or put it in a bathroom as a vanity cabinet cut out a piece of concrete board to a sqaure top then cut out a portion of that pdf to put a bowl/ sink into and three more for each hot / cold knobs and last one for the faucet to be installed. Tile around the area but make sure it is concrete board that is specifically made to be a water protector.
  • Mary Hefleng Mary Hefleng on Feb 10, 2016
    We have a similar piece (center section of a 3-piece wall unit) that we moved to our formal dining room. I converted the armoire/tv portion into a wine bar! The swivel shelf for the tv now houses a small wine fridge (since there's already an electrical outlet in it) & I mounted stemware holders above on the bottom of the dvd compartment (which now stores napkins, wine charms, etc.) The compartment below the turntable is perfect for a half-dozen bottles of red.
  • Michael Schneider Michael Schneider on Feb 10, 2016
    Give it to me I don't have one.
    • Neva Dew Neva Dew on Feb 10, 2016
      @Michael Schneider Ditto! Spouse and I have decided to be on the lookout for one of these larger ones to eventually use as a "closet" in what is now an overcrowded office .It will become a guest/craft/sewing/whatever room when he fully retires from self employment. The room now has no closet (building codes) so there's a lack of storage for the future.
  • Barbara C Barbara C on Feb 10, 2016
    Take the doors off,add shelves and you have a bookcase..
  • Polly Andrews Polly Andrews on Feb 10, 2016
    I agree with Angela. A wardrobe would be ideal or it could be used as a coat closet on top and with gloves, scarves etc in the bottom. A sewing center would also be great.
  • P.chatty P.chatty on Feb 10, 2016
    I put a pet board inside ,put my seeing machine inside turned it into a craft place.
  • Pgl Pgl on Feb 10, 2016
    I made mine a linen closet so easy to add shelves, I store blankets in the bottom.
  • Lynn Palmatier Lynn Palmatier on Feb 10, 2016
    If you are crafty and don't have space for a hobby room, make it a craft center. I have ribbons hanging on tension rods and use the floor of the top to do projects. If there is a slide out for the TV use that as a table. You can mount and LED light with a battery or a plug in one at the top.
  • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Feb 10, 2016
    Oh my goodness, a beautiful piece I agree with many of those here great ideas. I happen to have the same issue. I tucked mine in the corner of my living room. I added shelves inside the top portion and placed my very compact stereo in it. On the other shelves I stored unused fancy serving platters and bowls which are not used often. If the door is open when I am using the stereo, it looks beautiful, mostly it sits quietly in the corner.
  • Felicia Felicia on Feb 10, 2016
    I'd add "cubby" style shelving to the inside, paint it a bright color (or maybe even a metallic) then fill in with baskets or fabric covered baskets. Instant storage for several things. You could even give it away as a gift
  • Nancy B Nancy B on Feb 10, 2016
    I would use as a pantry for canned goods, pasta noodles and extra paper goods. It is too beautiful to hide.
  • Patty Morgan Patty Morgan on Feb 10, 2016
    I think it is the perfect size for a linen/blanket/pillow closet or even for those blessed with cherished quilts...a quilt closet....just finish the back up and add shelving if you want more shelves. I would probably store my pillows on the bottom half and up top my quilts/linens.....perfection!
  • Laurie Colm Laurie Colm on Feb 10, 2016
    I put a rod inside and stored off-season coats, hats, gloves, boots, etc. I also have one at my cottage. We added a couple of shelves and store extra linens in it.
  • Charlene Charlene on Feb 10, 2016
    I agree with Nancy. I have one that I put in my kitchen/family room area and that is where a lot of my canned, boxed foods are stored along with foil, etc. Absolutely love it!! My sister did the same. Painted her's white and now uses it for storage of canned goods, etc. Fit perfectly between her kitchen and family room combination.
  • Jackie Jackie on Feb 10, 2016
    I added wine glass racks and turned into a bar. It holds wine, liquor and glasses on the top where the TV was. The bottom holds platters and rarely used dishes.
  • Patricia Flynn Patricia Flynn on Feb 10, 2016
    I think it is a perfect size for a china cabinet, just take out the panels in the doors, you could replace them with decorative iron panels that would allow you to see whats inside, it is too nice not to be able to use..
  • Julie Link Julie Link on Feb 10, 2016
    Could be a great wrapping station. Add tension rods for rolls of ribbon and paper; put scissors, tags, and tape in drawers.
  • Mosaicone Mosaicone on Feb 10, 2016
    Makes a great bar if you're into that. I actually cut the top off of mine and put wheels on it for a storage area for my outdoor room.
  • Kathy Meador Wells Kathy Meador Wells on Feb 10, 2016
    I agree with all of the comments. Storage is speaking to me as a linen closet.
  • Debbie Lamont Debbie Lamont on Feb 10, 2016
    yes linen and towel storage.
  • Michael Schneider Michael Schneider on Feb 10, 2016
    I understand we're it is your coming from, but in our situation, when we downsized to a smaller home ,closets went with it, and I unfortunately, merchants want money and that right there is our stumbling block. It is what it is and I know that I shouldn't have added that sort of response as it defiled the whole purpose of the site. And as soonas I had posted it I felt bad for doing so and I sincerely apologize to everyone. Saw a beautiful piece of furniture and responded with my head stuck somewhere. I wish you folks the best of luck, And again I believe that it's Janet,I'm sorry for acting selfishly and like an idiot. Michael
  • Make it a coat closet close to the entry.
  • Lou4128816 Lou4128816 on Feb 10, 2016
    We made a bar added a glass shelf and below is for extra storage etc photo album
  • Mary Mary on Feb 10, 2016
    I purchased a large tv armoire to use for items I did not want taking up space in kitchen cabinets. I put my seasonal dishes, wedding China, linens, etc in it so my kitchen space was used for everyday tableware. It was in my dining area so convenient to access items.
  • Trish McCloskey Trish McCloskey on Feb 10, 2016
    My uncle made mine and I had the exact same problem. I put it in the kitchen and added extra shelving for big appliances.
  • Mariann McWhinney Mariann McWhinney on Feb 10, 2016
    Put in the bedroom for blanket storage.
  • Knock out the back and replace with bead board, add a rod and turn into an armoire. Sweaters can be stored in the bottom. Also, it can be made into a home school organization center. I made one for a client, painted turquoise and used dark antiquing glaze to distress.
  • LD LD on Feb 10, 2016
    You can convert it into an armoire for the bedroom, a desk, a china cabinet or a craft/sewing center.
  • Trish Del Principe Trish Del Principe on Feb 10, 2016
    Use it as a pantry linen closet.
  • Barbara Parsons Barbara Parsons on Feb 10, 2016
    I used one in a guest room to serve as a little vanity and guest room supply area. Sheets, extra pillows, blanket, bowl of potpourri, mirror and light. We added a "slideout" for one of the adjustable shelves so a chair could be placed in front of it and makeup could be applied. Someone else I know converted hers to a bar--putting in wine glass racks and holders for liquor and drink making items---shakers, bar glasses, etc. It's just such a useful piece of furniture. Try really hard to hold on to it.
  • Me Me on Feb 10, 2016
    look online to see how to turn it into a chic mini-office...terrific to hide the laptop or computer.
  • Jo.3953473 Jo.3953473 on Feb 10, 2016
    I had a wardrobe armoire built that looks almost like your TV center. Mine is for all my folded clothes that I don't have room for in my closet ...it is almost 8' tall and about 4-5' wide, has two long doors a day the bottom it has two drawers. It holds a ton of clothes, long pants, sweaters, t-shirts, anything that you could fold or you can put purses, whatever you want on the shelves, socks and things in the drawers, etc., it is like an extra closet..I am sure you could turn your TV thing into this and you would LOVE it...you could even put a library on the shelves... Millions of ideas for something like this!😊
  • Dawn kolberg Dawn kolberg on Feb 10, 2016
    If u have a big enough entryway use it for extra coats etc Also shoe could be hidden in bottom. If all else fails send it to me..
  • Jeani Miller Miner Jeani Miller Miner on Feb 10, 2016
    one of the posts here turned a dresser into a beautiful 'mud room - clothes storage'. If you need something like that in your entry this certainly would work
  • Edith Reardon Edith Reardon on Feb 10, 2016
    I would do a mini-office. sewing room fold out cutting table with all your accessories. Put more shelves in it for all kinds of storage or as an extra dresser. You can put a rod in and use it to hang shirts in. Pantry cabinet if you added lots of smaller shelves for cans and other food items or pots and pans.
  • Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio on Feb 10, 2016
    Store towels and bathroom toiletries
  • Linda Y Linda Y on Feb 10, 2016
    This would make a wonderful pantry if you shelved out the inside.
  • Fran Wheeler Fran Wheeler on Feb 10, 2016
    make a linen closet for sheets,quilts.
  • You could put mirror tiles on the back and make a portable bar out of it. Put racks in the top inside and hang wine glasses. Saw this done once and it's awesome!
  • Carol Roddy Carol Roddy on Feb 10, 2016
    I'd cut it in half (horizontally) at the natural division on the cabinet. I'd turn the bottom into a vanity by putting a sink top on it. You could paint it or leave it the way it is. You'd be able to put storage under the sink. The top could be used as a matching linen type cabinet either floor standing or wall hung.
  • Liz Liz on Feb 10, 2016
    Thanks, Jennifer! I didn't say this, but also throughout history, in Europe, too, only the cheaper wood was painted to disguise its inferior quality. The good quality wood was never painted over. (I read that in an Annie Sloan book.)
  • Paula Brock Paula Brock on Feb 10, 2016
    It would make a wonderful storage cabinet for shoes and purses, if you have limited cabinet space. Or you could make it an office area that you can closeup.
  • Cherieclark Cherieclark on Feb 10, 2016
    Craft or sewing storage. Sewing center. A communication center for your family with charger unit for cells and tablet...calendar,chore chart ,meal planning, school schedules. A desk area just add a pull out shelf. Remove the panels replace with glass and use for a china cabinet. Store linens. Or off season linens. Use in a guestroom for guests. Use it in a mudroom for jackets, shoes and backpacks. Or store off season clothing in it. Make it into a wet bar. Store winter supplies incase you get snowed in. Store all your jars from canning. And tons more options!
  • Deb0911 Deb0911 on Feb 10, 2016
    dining or kitchen cabinet you could buy some kitchen knobs and put shelves inside, put dishes, glassware in side, or to change once in a while take the doors of on the top, to show off special collectables.
  • Sharon Collins Sharon Collins on Feb 10, 2016
    How about converting it into a fabulous bar.
  • Joannie Joannie on Feb 10, 2016
    I cut mine at the natural division. Bought a piece of dark glass and now have a gorgoeus buffet. Was such a beautiful and expensive piece but you can't even give them away! I figured there was nothing to lose and am so thrilled with my new piece that matched all my other furniture.
  • Joann Joann on Feb 10, 2016
    Put in shelves and place beautiful things inside and leave the doors open. This is a beautiful piece.
  • Phyllis Phyllis on Feb 10, 2016
    Install several shelves and stain them to use as a pantry or a storage cabinet for your tools and/or anything else you need storage for.
  • Rozanne M Rozanne M on Feb 10, 2016
    I have an armoire in my spare bedroom that is a bit larger than yours. My husband added shelves and I have used it for sewing items. There is more than enough room in it for clothing and storage for guests. Even though the room is small it fits well and looks good. This is a beautiful piece and I would find a space to keep it.
  • Brenda Dasti Brenda Dasti on Feb 11, 2016
    I converted one I bought into an amoire to store all my quilts not in use , spare blankets etc. Love yours , to beautiful to throw away.
  • Betsy Woolford Betsy Woolford on Feb 11, 2016
    If you craft, you could make it into a crafting center. Add shelves, even a small fold down table top, with containers for storage. It would allow you to have a work space for crafting that can be closed up and neat.
  • Janet Janet on Feb 11, 2016
    Im still thinking about it I am thinking armoire ... I do need more closet storage. Thanks for all the fabulous idea
  • Mary Ann Hayes Mary Ann Hayes on Feb 11, 2016
    I had one almost like yours. Ni moved it to my bedroom and it made great storage for bedding and pillows. Also placed out of season sweaters in plastic bags and stored them in this.
  • KeepItSimpleSister KeepItSimpleSister on Feb 11, 2016
    You can always repurpose it
  • Sarah A. Victory Sarah A. Victory on Feb 11, 2016
    Mine is cherry and I use it for quilt/pillow storage. It did occur to me that one could cut it at table height and remake it to us for a flat screen TV. You could also remake it for a wine/liquor/ glass bar. Children's closet--toy storage?
  • Linda Fraser Linda Fraser on Feb 12, 2016
    We ran into the same problem. I didn't want to get rid of ours either so we removed the top half. Then removed the flared section off the top of the half we removed. Then we sat the flared section on top of the bottom section. TaDa! New entertainment center. You can glue with wood glue if you want. We didn't because it's solid wood and very heavy and it's not going to slide anywhere. I love how it looks now. The tv looked good on it. We now have a flat screen on the wall over it so I use it for speakers and decorative items etc.
  • Janet Janet on Feb 13, 2016
    Thanks Linda, that sounds like something I might be interested in. Was it difficult separating it?
    • See 2 previous
    • Linda Fraser Linda Fraser on Feb 14, 2016
      Not hard. If it came in 2 pieces just unscrew top section. Then carefully cut decorative top part off and place on base part. If not in 2 pieces I would cut the top section approx 4 inchs above the bottom section. Then once you remove the top section you can see better where to mark your line to cut your sides and back even with the base. Then when done add decorative top part. If you want to email me I can take a pic of mine and send to you so you can see what I mean. grammytimestwo@yahoo.com Just put in subject hometalk so I know it's not spam
  • Mgroshong Mgroshong on Jul 01, 2017

    A unit in your dining room for fine dishes & glassware, an or wine storage.

    An extra place for bowls, trays, canned or boxed food, in or near the kitchen.

  • SandyG SandyG on Jul 01, 2017

    Do you need it? It is a huge piece of furniture (gorgeous by the way) and if not needed, maybe you could consider moving it out. Just a thought as opposed to re-purposing.

  • Kaleemee Kaleemee on Mar 04, 2022

    I have one almost identical loved it and am a fan of wood not painted as well. I cut it down, used only the bottom and reused top molding to finish it and now my 55" tv has a home, still has all my other electronics hidden away.

    (Excuse the piece at the floor but I had to block my foster/rescue cats from hiding under the unit).

  • Pam Pam on Nov 01, 2022

    I did this piece for a client as a food pantry, but it can be a linen cabinet, etc.

  • Judy C Judy C on Nov 01, 2022

    I purchased one for storing quilts and blankets

  • Mogie Mogie on Nov 04, 2022

    Use it to store clothes or linens.

  • Randall Ross Randall Ross on Aug 19, 2023

    I have one very similar and was trying to get an idea if it's worth anything?




  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Aug 19, 2023

    Maybe a Cocktail Bar/Cabinet or Shelve out and store Household files or private papers etc. or Linen store or Cushion/ Pillow storage. etc.