Entertainment Center
Making your own entertainment center is a great project to do. Entertainment centers are usually full-size units made with shelves on either side of a TV and cabinets with doors underneath. Making an entertainment center with premade cabinets results in a one-of-a-kind piece. By using premade cabinets, an entertainment center can be built to match the room's d#xE9;cor instead of trying to find an entertainment center to match. And best of all, only a little woodworking experience is required and premade cabinets are much more cost effective.
Instructions
1. Determine the length and depth of the entertainment center by measuring the area on the floor where you will place the entertainment center.
2. Purchase premade cabinets---including one sink-top cabinet---that will fit exactly into the area you measured in Step 1. The sink cabinet is wider and will accommodate a larger TV, and it is generally less costly than other cabinet types. Also purchase the desired size of bookshelf units to sit on top of your lower cabinets. Color and finish will be determined by the room d#xE9;cor.
3. From the measurements of the floor area taken in step 1, make a frame with the 1-by-4's. Nail or screw the boards together. The purpose of this step is to make a frame for the premade kitchen cabinets to set into. This will make it easier to move your entertainment center as a whole instead of each individual piece being moved. Remember, you will be making a complete unit out of separate units, so it will help to create a baseboard for the entertainment center.
4. Place the cabinets in the frame in the design that you decided upon earlier.
5. Nail small sections of 1-by-4 boards or heavy-duty brackets across the seams between the separate cabinets, connecting them together in the back. Make sure all the cabinets are connected securely into one unit.
6. Measure the cabinets to find the correct size for the countertop, and cut the countertop in that size. Place it over the top of the cabinets and glue it down with countertop glue.
7. Set the bookshelf units on top of the countertop and nail sections of 1-by-4 or brackets to the back of the shelves and the cabinets to secure the shelves to the bottom cabinets.
8. Measure across the top of the entertainment center and cut a piece of plywood to this measurement. Sand and stain the plywood the same color as the entertainment center, and allow the stain to dry according to the manufacturer's directions. Nail the plywood across the top of the entertainment center, bridging the shelving units, to finish the center.
Tips Warnings
You may want to add molding at the top of the entertainment center to give it a finishing touch.
Tags: entertainment, center, premade, cabinets, entertainment center, premade cabinets, across entertainment, across entertainment center, bookshelf units, entertainment center, make frame, sections 1-by-4
