How do you protect your flat-screen TV from getting damaged when you have small kids? It’s quite surprising just how fragile modern TV screens are, and it doesn’t take a lot to cause damage. If you have small kids running around and throwing their toys across the living room, it’s only a matter of time and your TV would need to be replaced. Or what if you don’t want to see that massive screen on your wall every day, that is also in conflict with your living room decor. So to fix this problem, I build a DIY Farmhouse Media Console with a TV lift to hide the TV when it’s not in use.
Instead of a large TV on your wall, you could have a beautiful painting to compliment the design of your room. Having a media center with a TV lift gives you the ability to slide out the TV only when you need to use it.
I designed this farmhouse media center for a flat-screen TV that is about 3 1/2″ wide. The TV lift is 6″ deep and 44″ tall. You could purchase this lift here. It comes with a remote control to raise or lower the lift. Once the TV lowers inside the media center the top lid closes completely.
You also might be interested in DIY Plantation Shutters that I’ve built for my living room.
Time to Complete
35 hours
Total Cost
$1000
Skill Level
Advanced
Tools for this project
Material List
- 4’x8′ – 3/4″ Plywood (x4)
- 65″x21″ – 1/4″ Plywood (x1)
- 1x12x8′ (x5)
- 1x10x8′ (x1)
- 1x8x8′ (x1)
- 1x6x8′ (x1)
- 1x4x8′ (x1)
- 44″ Tall TV Lift
- 7 Feet Sliding Barn Door Kit
- 1 1/4″ Pocket hole screws
- 1 1/4″ Brad Nails
- 1/2″ Staples
- Wood Glue
Note: Lumber dimensions are listed as nominal size. See lumber sizes for actual dimensions vs nominal.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page as well as links in “tools for this project” and “material list” sections are affiliate links.
Dimensions
Step 1 – Cut Bottom, Shelf, and Middle Backboard
First, start by cutting the large pieces. Take 3/4″ cabinet grade plywood and cut the bottom piece to 82 1/2″ x 22 1/2″ and one shelf piece to 82 1/2″ x 14 3/4″. Then cut a middle backboard to 82 1/2″ x 44″. This board is placed between the TV lift and the media console shelves. Next, drill pocket holes as shown in the picture having the Kreg Jig set to 3/4″ wood thickness.
Step 2 – Glue and Attach Middle Backboard to the Bottom Piece
Place the bottom board on the floor with pocket holes facing down. Take the shelf board and clamp it temporarily to one side of the bottom board. Apply a strip of wood glue right next to the clamped shelf board. Then place the middle backboard into the glue, having pocket holes facing to the back of the media console. Drive in 1 1/4″ pocket holes screws attaching backboard to the bottom board. Once the backboard is attached, then unclamp the shelf board.
Step 3 – Distress Wood and Connect the Sideboards
For this project, I decided to use a combination of plywood sheets and solid pine wood boards. The sections of the media console that are made from plywood (like shelves and backboard) are painted grey and the solid wood boards (like the top, sides, and face frame) are stained.
I wanted to have the wood texture to stand out where you actually could feel the wood grains. To accomplish this I used a knotted wire cup brush on an angle grinder to distress the wood. The wire cup brush removes the soft areas of the wood and leaves the hard grain areas, creating a weathered rustic effect. Practice on a scrap board first to get the feel of how much pressure to apply before using it on the project boards. Hold the angle grinder at about 30 degrees to the wood grain for the first pass and then rotate it to be parallel with the wood grain. The more pressure you apply the more wood it removes.
If you do decide to use a cup brush to create wood texture, then it’s a good idea to do that before cutting solid wood into smaller pieces. It makes the job much easier when working with larger boards. Next, take 1×12 board and cut four pieces to 45 1/2″ in length. Two of the boards will be used on the right side of the media console and two on the left.
Drill pocket holes as shown in the picture and connect them together using wood glue and 1 ¼” pocket hole screw.
Step 4 – Connect the Sideboards to the Media Console Table
Now attach these sideboards to the media console with 1 ¼” pocket hole screws and wood glue. The sideboard and the backboard should be flush at the top. This will make the sideboards ¾” lower than the bottom board.
To make the sideboard attachment easier, raise the media console 3/4″ from the ground by placing it on a piece of ¾” plywood. Make sure that the sideboards are perfectly square to the bottom. Flip the console table on its back and drive in the remaining screws from the bottom board.
Step 5 – Cut Shelf Boards for Inside of the Media Console
Next, cut all of the shelf boards for the media center. One of the shelf boards (82 1/2″ x 14 3/4″), that was used as a guide, is already cut from step 1. Take 3/4″ plywood and cut another 82 1/2″ x 14 3/4″ board. Then cut one 14 3/4″ x 10″, two 14 3/4″ x 14 1/2″, and two 14 3/4″ x 18″ boards. Next drill pocket holes as shown in the picture.
Step 6 – Set the Bottom Shelf Dividers and Attach to the Media Center
Start by attaching the shelf divider from the bottom of the media center working up. Measure 21 3/8″ from the left and 21 3/8” from the right of the media center and mark on the bottom board and the backboard. This is where the shelf dividers will be set. Attach the 14 1/2” tall shelf divider using wood glue and nail gun from the back of the media center. Then flip the media center on its back and nail the shelf from the bottom. The shelf board should only have one pocket hole in the front top.
Step 7 – Build and Attach Middle Shelf and Dividers
Take one of the 82 1/2″ x 14 3/4″ shelf boards and place it on the workbench with pocket holes facing down. Then measure 21 3/8″ from both left and right sides, similar to step 6. Now attach both 18” high shelf divider at the 21 3/8″ mark with wood glue and 1 1/4″ brad nails using a nail gun.
Slide in the shelf configuration, that you just made, inside the media console and attach the dividers from the back. Then attach the shelf boards to the sides with 1 ¼” pocket holes screws. Make sure that everything is squared and the shelf board is parallel to the bottom of the media console.
Step 8 – Build and Attach Upper Shelf and Divider
Similar to step 7, take the 82 1/2″ x 14 3/4″ shelf board and attach one 10” tall shelf divider in the center. Then slide it into the media center over the second set of shelf dividers that are already in place and attach from the back and to the sideboards.
Step 9 – Assemble the Face Frame
Use the picture or the cut sheet to cut all of the boards for the face frame. Most of these boards are 1 ½” wide. Then drill pocket holes as shown in the picture.
First, assemble the outer perimeter of the face frame with wood glue and 1 ¼” pocket hole screws. Then hold the rectangular face frame against the front of the media console and mark the exact locations where the shelf boards are. This will help you to attach the frame board perfectly without any misalignments. When the face frame is complete, set it aside for staining. It will be attached to the media center once everything is stained and painted.
Step 10 – Cut and Assemble the Top Cover of the Media Table
The top of the media console consists of three different board widths, but are the same overall length. The top also has a 1 1/2″ wide trim around it. Take 1×12, 1×6, and 1×8 and cut them to 85 1/2” in length. The 1×8 board will be used as a lid to open and close for the TV lift. The other two boards will be glued together.
For the trim, cut one board to 1 ½” x 87” and two boards to 1 ½” x 24″. Drill pocket holes on the 1×12 and 1×6 boards as shown on the picture and attach them together with wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket holes screws. Then attach the 1 ½” trim around it. Set it aside for staining. The board that will be used as a lid will be attached later as well.
Step 11 – Make the Base for the Media Console
The front of the base will be made from solid wood for staining, but the back and inside dividers are made from ¾” plywood. Cut the front board to 82 1/2″ x 4” and two sideboards to 21 3/4″ x 4”. Then cut the backboard using ¾” plywood to 81×4 and two middle divider boards to 21″ x 4″. Drill pocket holes as shown in the picture.
When I started to work on the base I’ve noticed that the front solid board was slightly warped so I added a ¾” plywood to keep the board straight. This is not necessary if your boards are straight.
Attach all of the boards together using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket holes screws as shown in the picture. Set aside for staining.
Step 12 – Cut Boards for the Barn Doors
The barn doors consist of 4″ wide frame, cross in the middle and a 1/4″ plywood in the back. For both of the doors, cut four vertical stile board to 4″ x 32 1/4″ and cut four rail boards to 4″ x 13″. Then cut four 1 1/2″ x 29″ boards for the cross in the middle. The cross boards will be trimmed later at an angle in the next step. Next, drill pocket holes in all of the rail boards. Then take 1/4″ plywood and cut two pieces to 32 1/4″ x 21″ for the back of the barn doors.
Step 13 – Assemble the Frame of a Barn Doors
To assemble the pieces of a barn door, first, attach the rail boards to the stile boards using wood glue and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws. Make sure to clamp the boards together when driving in the screws. This will prevent boards from misaligning.
Step 14 – Trim and Install Cross Boards for the Barn Doors
Once the perimeter frame of the barn door is assembled, take 1 1/2″ x 29″ board and lay it on top of the frame diagonally lining up with two corners of the frame. Draw cut lines on the board to make a cut for a perfect fit. Rotate the miter saw to match the angle of the line you drew and cut on both ends. Repeat the step to cut all of the cross boards.
Place both cross boards crossing each other over the frame and draw lines where the two boards intersect. There are two ways to cut the boards to make a cross. You could make a lap joint, which is stronger, or cut one of the boards into two sections at the intersection marks (this option is easier to make).
To make a lap joint use a miter saw and set the blade to stop halfway into the board (3/8”). Then cut through the intersection area by sliding the blade back and forth and shifting the board until you create a notch that is 3/8” deep and 1 ½ wide. Repeat the same with the other cross board. Use a wood chisel to clean and remove any high areas inside the lap joint.
Drill pocket holes on each end of the cross boards. Then apply wood glue in the lap joint and slide in the cross inside the frame. Clamp the cross to the frame and drive in the pocket hole screws on all four corners. The ¼” plywood would be attached to the frame later once everything is stained.
Step 15 – Stain and Paint the Media Console
Now that all of the pieces are assembled, it’s time to stain and paint. First, paint the inside of the shelves using a small paint roller. You might need to apply a few coats of paint for better wood protection.
To stain the solid wood board and ¼” plywood for the barn doors, first, apply a coat of pre-stain to prevent stain blotchiness. Then apply grey stain (or whatever stain you want) with a brush and wipe it off with a shop paper towel. Let the stain dry before applying a coat of polyurethane.
Step 16 – Attach the Face Frame to the Media Console
Now that everything is stained and painted, attach the face frame to the media console using wood glue and brad nails using a nail gun. Having the solid wood distressed with a cup brush for a rustic look makes the brad nails blend in and very hard to find, even though they are in front of the media center.
Step 17 – Attach the Base and the Top
Flip the media console on its back and attach the base with pocket hole screws and wood glue. Next, place the top so that the back of the trim boards are flush with the back of the media center. Also, make sure the top is centered from left to right. Attach the top with wood glue and brad nails.
Step 18 – Attach the Barn Door Sliding Kit
There are a few DIY methods out there explain how to make your own barn door sliding kits, you could see them here at Ana-White and Shanty-2-Chic websites. But I decided to buy a 7 foot long kit on Amazon to save time. Follow the installation instruction for the exact placement of the rail. The metal rail is attached to the media center with 2” screws. You might want to pre-drill the holes before driving the screws in. This will prevent the board from splitting or cracking. The rail needs to be installed leveled so that the doors will not slide down in one direction.
Place the 1/4″ plywood on the backside of the bard door and staple it using a staple gun. Then attach the rollers on both sides of the barn door. Hang the doors on the rail.
Step 19 – Attach the Lid Board to the Backboard
The last piece that needs to be cut is the backboard that holds the TV lift. Take ¾” plywood and cut 82 1/2” x 44” board and drill pocket holes on the bottom and sides. Next, attach the top lid board to the backboard with hinges for it to open and close.
I had a few extra cabinet door hinges from a previous project and I decided to use them here. If you are buying new hinges, it’s a good idea to buy them black (that is if you’re staining/painting darker color), this way it won’t give off a slight glare when looking at it when opened.
Take the top board and drill four holes for the hinges. To install the hinges on the top board, you will need a 1 3/8″ by 3/8″ Shank Forstner Drill Bit and use full overlay frameless hinges.
The hinges you purchase usually come with a template. Place the template at the location where you want the hinges. Then using a nail, push down through the template x marks to make a little dent on the board. Remove the template and drill a 1 3/8″ hole at the center of the mark using a Shank Forstner drill bit. Place the hinge inside the large hole and using a construction square make sure that the hinge is perfectly squared before pre-drilling the holes for the screws. Then pre-drill the screw holes using a self-centering hinge drill bit. Attach the hinge to the board with the screws that came with hinges. Repeat this step to install all the rest of the hinges on the top board.
Step 20 – Attach the TV Lift
Lay the backboard on the floor and find the center of the board. Mark the exact location where to attach the TV lift. The TV lift should be flush with the bottom of the backboard so that most of the weight will be placed on the bottom board of the media center. Screws are there to hold the lift from tilting forward.
Once the TV lift is installed then attach the control box to the backboard. Then take a 1 ½” hole saw bit and drill a hole on the backboard to feed the power cable. The control box has an extra plug for your TV.
Now attach the backboard with the TV lift to the media center. Make any adjustments to the lid hinges for it to open and close seamlessly.
Step 21 – Attach the TV to the TV lift
Slide the TV lift all the way up and then attach the TV to the TV lift with the screws that came in the package. You’re done with the DIY Farmhouse Media Console with a TV Lift.
Dude, you are not just a master craftsman, but an artist as well. I totally enjoyed watching the whole video and was amazed at watching you create such a beautiful piece of furniture.
Thanks Doyle!
SO, SO, SO happy to see this. I cringe every time I see a beautiful fireplace with magnificent woodwork and someone hangs a massive tv over or on it. I love that you did this.
Thank you!
Thinking about doing this for outside patio area – weatherproofing of course. But, do you think there would be an issue with it possibly toppling over with the tv up all the way? If there isn’t a wall or something behind it?
Love the finished product. It’s really beautiful.
Hi Stefan, thanks for the comment. Yes, I would probably anchor it to the floor. If your patio area is concrete, you could get concrete anchors at home depot. If you do decide to move the media center to a different location, you could easily cut the anchors with a sawzall. The other option is to use caulking and glue it to the floor. Safety is important, you don’t want this thing to fall on someone, it’s heavy.
I’m thinking of tackling this project. I plan on putting it at the end of my bed. How can I modify it so that the tv pop us away from the decorative side of the unit?
I came across your video on YouTube and I got to tell you that you did such a beautiful piece of work… I totally enjoy watching the built. I wish I didn’t reside in a apartment because I would love to do projects following you videos and your plans.. I do have a question, you said the project cost you $1000., Does that include the tv lift or just the carpentry side of the built?
Thanks
Hi Franchie,
Thank you for the compliment. The $1000 included the TV lift when I built it a few years ago. I’m sure the prices have increased on both the TV lift and the wood, so it’s more than $1000 now.
Ciao ho apprezzato molto il tuo progetto, vorrei realizzarlo, puoi indicarmi il modello di sollevatore?
ahimè nn mi intendo molto di queste cose , grazie