Turn a Kitchen Cabinet Into a Flat-Screen TV Cover

Even the most hard-core television watchers want to be able to hide their screen when the TV is not in use. Instead of a bulky entertainment center, repurpose a kitchen cabinet into TV storage. Corkboard on the inside of each door provides a place to easily display kids' artwork, inspirational quotes or favorite prints.

Choose the Proper Cabinet

Shallow upper kitchen wall cabinets come in standard sizes ranging from 12” to 48”. Based on the size of your flat-panel TV, search salvage yards, home improvement stores and big-box retailers for shallow upper kitchen wall cabinets wide and tall enough to accommodate a flat-panel TV with at least 2” of clearance all the way around the interior for proper ventilation.

Tip: Rustic, weathered cabinets can be commonly found at salvage yards and offer a much more textural, individual look than new cabinets.

Remove Shelves

In order for the cabinet to accommodate a flat-panel TV, shelves will need to be fully removed. Newer cabinets with adjustable brackets simply need to be angled up by hand and pulled out. Older cabinets with fixed shelves may need to be removed with a drill or cut out with a reciprocating saw.

Attach Trim

To give the cabinet fronts the look and feel of a salvaged window, have 8' strips of 1X2" wood trim cut to size at a home improvement store, creating symmetrical panes along the front. Position in place, then secure using nail gun and brads or with a drill and 1" wood screws.

Attach Mirror

Pick up ready-made mirrors and have them cut to size at a local glass-cutting shop. Add mirror mastic in several spots along the face of the door fronts. Insert mirrors between attached strips of 1X2" wood trim.

Measure and Mark Cork

Use measuring tape to determine proper measurements of cabinet door interior. Referring to these measurements, unfurl roll of cork, then mark to size with pencil.

Cut Cork to Size

On a flat, level surface, cut cork to size using retractable blade.

Spray and Attach Cork

In a well-ventilated area, unfurl cork along a flat, level surface, then apply spray adhesive with can held approximately 8” from the surface, moving back and forth in a slow, controlled manner. Next, place cork in position along the interior of cabinet door.

Install Mounting Bracket and TV

Hold the cabinet up to the wall along the area where the TV will be mounted. Use a stud finder to locate stud. Center the cabinet on the stud so that the mounting bracket will have a structural surface on which to be mounted. Use measuring tape to determine center point of cabinet back panel, then use drill and 1/4” drill bit to create a pilot hole through back panel and into stud.

Place heavy-duty anchors into pilot holes, securing them in place with hammer. Line up pre-drilled holes of mounting bracket with holes of anchors, then secure to wall with heavy-duty screws using screwdriver. Next, attach flat-panel TV to mounting bracket using screws and screwdriver.

Tip: To keep wires from cluttering the interior of the cabinet, use a drill and 2” paddle bit to add a hole along the back through which to drop wires behind drywall or secure to a corner.

Finished Product

Once the project is complete, enjoy the clean lines of the cabinet's exterior, or flip it open when you're ready to watch television or admire your child's artwork.