Entertainment Center Conversion : Whether You Buy New Or Convert the Old, Your Entertainment Center is a Key Design Element
Does your Entertainment Center look like this?
Or how about this?
If so, it might be time to bring yours up to date! Entertainment Center conversion my be the approach that you need or you may need to replace it all together! TV Stands can really change to the look of a great room, family room or den. Make sure you keep yours looking current.
Here’s what our Entertainment Center conversion involved. Here’s what it originally looked like:
While not completely hideous, it did have the older hardware, short stature, medium oak finish, glass doors and rounded moldings that were so popular in the early 90s. We wanted our great room to have a whole new look so we knew we had to start with the Entertainment Center.
This is a picture of the project during the renovation stage, where my husband added 8″ of crown molding to the top and 6″ of base and base molding to the bottom.
After that, my husband stained the new wood to match the old wood. He then stained the unit with black polyurethane (Miniwax Polyshades), sanding the whole thing with very fine sandpaper between each step and wiping it down with a microfiber rag. Then he distressed the unit by fine sanding some edges such that the underlying stain shone through. He then applied two coats of clear polyurethane (sanded and wiping between steps). Finally, he installed the doors (which he earlier cut in half so they would close in a new way), shelving, and new hardware. Here’s the finished unit (not pushed together completely). We still need to move it back into the great room but now my beast of a husband is going to start renovating that!
He estimates he put in about 80 hours for the transformation. Given your own hourly wage and skill level , you may or may not consider such a labor intensive renovation. You may decide to just buy a new Entertainment Center. I know this is what I would have done without my wonderful husband’s skills.
When purchasing a new entertainment center, there are many considerations that you must take into account, such as:
- Style of Furntiture:–Formal, modern, mission, country
- Function: What will it hold?
- Size: Small, medium or BIG BEAR size
- Where will it go in the room: Corner TV Stand, Wall TV Stand
- What color of finish: Stained, wood, painted,
- Construction: All wood, wood+particle board, metal
- Cost: How much are you willing to pay to optimize all the factors above?
Does your Entertainment Center need Updating? Tell me your story below.
See our related article: DIY Project: Convert Your Old Entertainment Center
DENISE SMITH says
my tv sits on the floor so ya we need a upgrade
Renee Rousseau says
We use a small floor model to set tv on because we have a very small living room. Awesome project completion! Congrats!
rochelle haynes says
Looking good these are nice
Sarah L says
I don’t have a TV, let alone an entertainment center. Have bookcases and lots of books.
Ruth McIver says
I don’t have a really big space for tall entertainment centers. These look gorgeous with the face lift. I know if I did have the space I would go for real wood, not a fan of particle board.
Kathy says
Woo I like wath you did we have a built in space
Rosanne says
Wow, that’s incredible. What a transformation. Giving me ideas for a project for my husband.
Deb P says
We have a hutch we may use for the TV.
Jennifer S. says
When we moved five years ago, we had one constructed around our new large-screen TV. Still looks great, fortunately. Would not want to have to deal with a re-do at this time! Your new unit looks great! (And I realize that it’s no longer “new” because the original post is six years old, but you know what I mean…)
Shelley Zurek says
HI Jennifer, yes I am going to update the photos. It really does still look smashing. The Chief Blonde
Laura O in AK says
We’re using a small one we were gifted that came from Ikea. I keep eyeing up the newer ones at Costco as we have a flat screen TV that won’t fit in many of the old ones I’ve seen listed on Craigslist. Although, I wish we could find one with doors!
Amanda @ Time4Mommy says
Wow! Love this!
Holly@homestyletips says
I love this and you are very right, changing just your entertainment center can make a huge difference in a room as it’s usually the vocal point as everyone loves the TV.
The only downside is, as one commenter said, the new TV’s don’t fit into the old stands.
stillblondeafteralltheseyears says
Holly–You are right about the TVs but my genius husband Walt accomodated for that by mounting the doors on the outside cabinet during the redo. That gave us enough room for a 42″ TV. The Chief Blonde!
Lesli says
Now that I have a flatscreen I no longer have an entertainment center. But I really like what you did!!
Donna B. says
No, I love mine! I think it fits my decor perfectly.