There’s no denying that your new TV looks great hanging from the wall mounts in your living room. Wall-mounted TVs are all the rage for the way they instantly transform any home into a contemporary model, and the effect in your abode is no exception. You clearly made the right choice by choosing a TV stand over a mount.
But if there’s one thing to say against flat panel mounts, it’s that they don’t come with anywhere to put your electronics. That means you could be left without a convenient means of storing your Xbox 360 or DVD player close enough to the TV that cables can reach it. An easy solution to this problem is to install shelves under the TV.
If you’re comfortable tackling DIY projects, building your own bookshelf can save you a lot of money compared to commercially built products. Shelving units under flat panel mounts can be as basic or complex as you like, allowing you to easily tailor the project to your skill level. The following instructions are intended to help beginners install two simple storage shelves under a wall-mounted TV.
Necessary tools and materials.
Two planks of your favorite wood (Note: The length of the planks will be determined by the size of your TV. You can make the shelves exactly the same length as your TV, or about 3-5 inches shorter on each end. Width/depth should be at least 10 inches to facilitate storage of electronic equipment).
- electric drill
- screwdriver
- wood screws
- Level
- measuring tape
- Standard single or double rail brackets and rack (double rail is commonly used for heavy duty support).
- Pencil
- stud finder
1. Find the anchor bolts.Use the stud sensor to locate the studs that will hold the standard shelving in place. In most cases, a standard one-way will mount to the same stud as the TV mount wall mounts. For a double track standard, you’ll want to use the studs to the left and right of the one that holds the TV. Mark the joist(s) with the pencil.
two. Determine the installation height for the top shelf.It is very important to get a good measurement here. If you install the shelf too close to the bottom of your TV, then you won’t have enough room for your electronic devices. If you leave too much space between the shelf and the TV wall mounts, the whole unit can look a bit awkward or unbalanced. Use the tape measure and pencil for this step, and be sure to accommodate the height of your electronic devices and the thickness of the wooden boards. Also keep in mind that tilting flat panel mounts allow the TV to tilt forward by 15 to 20 degrees, which could affect your measurements.
3. Install the standard shelves and brackets. Using your power drill, secure the tops of the standard single or double rail shelves in the locations identified in the previous step. Before fully tightening each screw, be sure to check the vertical straightness of the standard with your level. Once the standards are in place, hook the shelf supports into the desired locations. It will also be necessary to check the horizontal straightness from bracket to bracket on a standard double track rack.
Four. Install the shelves. Use the screwdriver and wood screws to attach each plank of wood to the brackets. Check that the shelves are securely in place before loading them with your electronics.
By following the instructions in this easy DIY project, you can create a convenient and attractive storage area directly below your wall-mounted TV for less than $100. Having shelves nearby makes flat panel mounts just as practical for your home entertainment needs as a full-size TV stand, so start building yours today.
