Built in TV unit, please help me think it through

Ruby789

Hi all,

I'm keen on the 4th example on this webpage: http://www.mariakillam.com/tvdecorating/ (the one with the two stools tucked under). This is perfect for the space because it hides the wires, and the footstools tucked under can serve as a coffee table/footrest when needed without taking up valuable floor space the rest of the time. If I put in shallower drawers I can hide the DVD player in the gap between the shelf and the drawers, and I can hide the router on the top shelf disguised as a book. I can also use up the left-over paint I have from the bedroom to make it pretty. :j

However, I can't find anything like it in a shop. Now it looks simple to build, but is it? I'd just like a bit of help to think it through before I approach tradespeople. I'm sure it would be possible to do myself, but I have no experience at all. You'll see from my thoughts below I have no clue!

It's floating shelves, the wall behind is plasterboard. The TV and bracket will weigh a fair bit.

I'll need to source the TV and footstools first so the measurements are right.

The back bit will need two holes cut for the wires from the TV and router to drop behind. There will need to be some sort of side cover so I can't see the wires from the side. The socket that will need to power it all is on the left-hand adjacent wall, so there will be some trunking, but luckily not right where i'll be looking all the time.

And painting it myself sounds ok, but I have read it can be a nightmare.

What material would I be best to make it from, if I want to paint it matt just like the photo?

Many thanks

BoxerfanUK

I bought my TV units from here and very pleased with it, lots of different options.


http://extremefurniture.uk/

Doozergirl

It looks bespoke. Or something that you'd pay an arm and a leg for at Ligne Roset.

MDF is the magic material for that. Paint with eggshell. A carpenter could create that quite easily.

The cheapest option would be Ikea LACK shelves, which go to 190cm, and a couple of BESTA units or MALM bedside tables tucked underneath. MDF as the backing board. It's how it's executed that matters most.

Ruby789

Thanks both,

It's such a simple unit, but yes, I figured it would be expensive - such is my taste. Tracked that one down to a luxury flat in Russia.

I guess there's no harm in putting an ad up on my builder and see what sort of prices I get quoted. And while I wait i'll start messing around with Ikea stuff and that furniture shop to see if I can cobble it together some other way.

Head_The_Ball

This is off topic but, in my opinion, that wall hung TV in the 4th picture is too high.

You may get neck strain watching that for long periods as you will have to tilt your head up.

The centre of a TV screen should be at or slightly below eye level when viewed from your normal viewing position so that your neck is holding your head level or slightly downwards. That is a naturally more relaxed position.

Some of the other pictures show a more ideal height.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

two of these



and a length of kitchen worktop



laid across them.

Ruby789

Thanks everyone. I'll pay attention to the height and see what I can come up with that will give me all the functionality I need.