How to Make a Buffet Into a TV Cabinet

Cut small holes in the backing of your buffet’s compartments. Depending on how your buffet is constructed, this may be done by using a small handheld saw or it may require taking the backing off and using a more powerful saw. The holes will allow you to run cables from devices you place in the buffet, such as a cable box and DVD player, and out to the back of the buffet so you can plug them into the wall with ease. Thus, the holes should be located where you expect to place electronic devices.

Paint the unit, if desired, to match your decor. For instance, if the room where the unit will go has a contemporary theme, you might want to paint the buffet black, gray or white. On the other hand, if your home is decorated in a shabby chic or country theme, a soft white wash would work well. Once the paint has dried, apply a sealant to protect the paint job. Remember to sand down the unit before applying your coat of paint to ensure maximum adhesion of the paint.

Replace the hinges on any doors that swing open. You have some options here. Some hinges will allow you to swing the doors 180 degrees so they rest against the surface of the cabinet. Others will allow you a wider swing of 270 degrees, so if the doors are located toward the edges of the cabinet, you can swing them open wide enough that they come to rest against the side edges of the cabinet. Or, if you’d prefer that your devices be exposed all the time, you can simply remove the doors altogether. If that’s the case, do this before painting so you don’t end up with unpainted areas where the hinges are found.

Place the buffet where you would otherwise place your television stand. A wall facing the main seating in the room is a good spot for it. The back of the buffet should be up against the wall.

Place your television, centered, on the top surface of your buffet unit. Place smaller devices, such as a cable box, DVD player and gaming console, inside the unit. Run wires from the back of your devices through the holes in the back of your unit and into an outlet in your wall.