Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Custom-Made TV Stand: A Great (And Easy) Idea

By Peter Mason

Remodelling - TV Stand Design Ideas

When thoughts turn to remodelling, it isn't often that the list of priorities contains a new TV stand. But adding a nice piece of furniture to the home while providing a sturdy stand for one of the new, larger television sets can be a great idea. Some of the new high-definition televisions are large enough to require a solid stand and there are some great alternatives to spending a lot on a stand from a retail site.

There are steel kits available that will only cost about $100. The stands from these kits are very strong and are available in sizes to fit most televisions. Those who are handy with a couple of small tools can assemble a stand from the kit in very little time. After recently installing a new shower curtain, putting together one of these kits was easy! Stands made from the better kits generally hold a DVD player, the television and perhaps a cable box comfortably (though, with newer TVs, it may not be necessary to have a cable box).

Most of the quality stands will hold a large television, even providing a nice-look in the living room or den. Some have glass shelves, providing an even more modern look. Shelves for the television itself should probably be made of Plexiglas or similar material because this will be much safer than glass for such a large object.

Some homeowners may choose to build their own television stand, using wood. Numerous plans and patterns are available from Web sites. Many are free of charge. For example, two cedar pieces 3 feet by 2 feet and one inch thick should work just fine. This particular plan uses cedar because of its natural beauty (it won't need to be stained). Cedar can be finished with a semi-transparent stain, if desired.

While it would be best to obtain a complete pattern with written instructions, the general idea is to cut a curved pattern from the cedar pieces and sand the edges so they are very smooth. The plan also calls for cutting shelf grooves one-half inch deep with a router or by hand. Shelves of the desired material can be purchased from a home supply store or similar source. These can also be held in place with L-shaped shelf supports. Holes can be drilled in the two main side pieces in order to put shelf dowel pins through. Sets of holes can be drilled at various heights to allow for flexibility in placing shelves as needs change.

Wires from the television and other equipment can be hidden by running them along the shelves and down one of the side pieces behind a wood strip or a narrow strip of some appropriate material. Wires can also be secured against wood with a U-shaped tack. The strips and tacks can keep the clean appearance of a well-made television stand. Of course, there are plenty of options for purchasing a stand already assembled or in a kit that requires a bit of assembly. These can fit the room size and dcor. Building a one-of-a-kind stand will not only be a great addition to the home but may also provide some personal satisfaction.

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