A DIY entertainment center can make even a tiny living room feel intentional, organized, and way more “finished.” I’ve built (and rebuilt) mine in small apartments, and the right mix of built-in storage, open shelving, and cable control is always the secret sauce.
Dark Accent Wall Inside the Built-In
One of my easiest makeovers was painting the TV niche area a deep color while keeping the shelves light, and it made the screen visually disappear. This trick gives your DIY entertainment center instant depth without adding bulk.
These products might be useful:
- Matte Charcoal or Navy Interior Paint: Choose a deep, rich shade to create dramatic contrast and make your television screen fade into the background.
- Peel and Stick Vertical Shiplap Wallpaper: Add texture and the look of custom woodwork instantly without needing power tools or complex installation processes.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Balance the dark background with warm, natural textures that keep clutter organized and add stylish visual interest.
Stock Cabinet Built-In Wall
In my last 450 sq ft apartment, I lined up base cabinets along one wall and topped them with a long wood surface for that classic built-in entertainment center look. It gave me hidden storage for games and cords while still framing the TV like a focal point.
A few things you might like:
- White Storage Cabinets: Create your base structure easily by lining up these versatile units to hide clutter and provide clean lines.
- Unfinished Wood Countertop: Add a custom, high-end finish to your cabinets with a solid wood top that you can stain perfectly.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Organize open shelving spaces with textured baskets to store remotes and cables while adding a natural, cozy touch.
TV Flanked by Twin Bookcase Towers
I’ve done the super-popular “TV in the middle, shelves on both sides” setup using two tall units anchored to studs, and it instantly felt custom. The symmetry makes a small room look calmer, and matching bookcase towers are my go-to for easy DIY built-ins.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Narrow Oak Wood Bookcase Tower: Create instant symmetry in your living room with this tall, narrow shelving unit perfect for flanking your TV console.
- Woven Seagrass Storage Basket: Tidy up your lower shelves by hiding cables or controllers in these textured, natural woven baskets.
- Minimalist Wood TV Console: Anchor your entertainment center with a simple, light wood cabinet that perfectly matches the vertical shelving units.
Floating Shelf Media Wall
When I was renting, I built a lightweight entertainment center using thick-looking floating shelves around a wall-mounted TV. It reads modern and airy, and I loved how it kept the floor clear for a small-space win.
Consider these options:
- Wall Mounted Floating TV Console: Reclaim valuable floor space and achieve a sleek, modern look by installing this functional floating media shelf.
- Dried Pampas Grass Decor: Add natural texture and warmth to your entertainment center with these airy, low-maintenance decorative plumes.
- Modern Minimalist White Ceramic Vase: Showcase your floral arrangements or dried botanicals elegantly with a simple, sculptural vase that complements any shelf.
Wall Cabinets for a Slim Profile
In a narrow living room, I swapped deep bases for shallower wall cabinets mounted lower with a simple platform under them. That slimmer DIY entertainment center kept walkways open while still giving me real doors-and-drawers storage.
Might be a good match:
- Cane Webbing Roll: Add texture to your cabinet doors by replacing standard panels with this natural, airy woven material.
- Wall Mounted Cabinet: Choose shallow upper cabinets to mount near the floor, creating a slim, space-saving media console base.
- Mid-Century Furniture Legs: Elevate your DIY console off the floor with stylish wooden legs for a lighter, custom furniture look.
Bridge Shelves Across Two Towers
I’ve built side towers and “bridged” them with chunky shelves above the TV to create a full wall moment without full cabinetry. It’s a great compromise when you want a big built-in entertainment center look but need a simpler build.
Some ideas to consider:
- Tall Narrow Bookshelves: Create the vertical anchors for your bridge design with these sturdy units, offering ample display space.
- Floating Wall Shelves: Install these chunky wooden shelves between your towers to complete the built-in look above your television.
- Ceramic Vases & Dried Grass: Style your new shelving unit with textured ceramic vases and natural dried botanicals for a cozy finish.
Fireplace-Style Center Section
In one client’s small living room, I designed a faux fireplace-style base under the TV as the center of the entertainment wall, and it became the coziest focal point. Even without a real firebox, the framed opening plus mantel-style shelf gives that classic entertainment center vibe.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Electric Fireplace Insert: Add instant warmth and ambiance to your faux fireplace build with a realistic-looking electric heater insert.
- Floating Wooden Mantel Shelf: Create a rustic focal point below your TV by installing a sturdy, natural wood floating shelf.
- Faux Stone or Brick Peel and Stick Wallpaper: Easily mimic the look of a masonry surround behind your fireplace insert with textured adhesive panels.
Corner Entertainment Center Built-In
I’ve had apartments where the only sensible TV spot was a corner, so I built a cornered base with angled shelves to wrap the screen. A corner entertainment center frees up the main wall and makes awkward layouts feel intentional.
A few suggestions:
- Corner TV Stand Cabinet: Maximize your floor plan by tucking your media setup neatly into the corner with a designated cabinet.
- Floating Corner Shelves: Utilize vertical space above your television to display decor or books without overcrowding the room’s layout.
- Woven Storage Basket: Add texture and hide extra blankets or cords with a natural woven basket placed near your unit.
Closet-to-Entertainment Center Conversion
I once turned a shallow closet into a recessed DIY entertainment center by removing the doors and adding shelves with a cable pass-through. It felt like I gained a whole wall because the TV and components sat neatly inside the niche.
These products might help:
- Wall-Mounted TV Bracket: Secure your television safely within your new recess, ensuring a flush and professional-looking installation.
- In-Wall Cable Management Kit: Hide unsightly cords behind the wall to maintain the clean, custom-built aesthetic of your entertainment center.
- Soundbar with Remote: Enhance your audio experience significantly while keeping a sleek profile that fits perfectly on your new shelves.
Behind-the-TV Cable Chase Box
My biggest sanity-saver is building a slim cable management box behind the TV with an access panel, so cords don’t drape down the wall. I’ve done this in multiple rentals with minimal holes, and it makes any DIY media wall look instantly cleaner.
Products that could assist:
- Recessed Wall Cable Management Kit: Create a seamless look by hiding power and AV cords behind the wall with this easy-to-install recessed outlet kit.
- Cord Concealer Raceway: Paint these slim channels to match your wall and instantly hide messy wires draping down from your mounted TV.
- Furniture-Mounted Power Grommet: Add a convenient power source directly into your media cabinet side panel to reduce visible clutter like in the photo.
Slide-Out Media Drawer Base
In my own setup, I added a wide, shallow drawer just for controllers, discs, and batteries, and it changed everything. A slide-out media drawer keeps the entertainment center tidy without needing extra bins on shelves.
You might like:
- Heavy-Duty Drawer Slides: Upgrade your custom console with smooth gliding hardware to ensure your drawers open effortlessly every time.
- Adjustable Drawer Dividers: Keep magazines, remotes, and accessories neatly separated within your media drawer for instant, clutter-free organization.
- Modern Pull Handles: Add a sleek finishing touch to your new drawers with stylish hardware that complements modern decor.
Record and Game Storage Cubby Grid
For one small-space client, I built a grid of square cubbies under the TV to hold records and board games, and it doubled as decor. This cubby entertainment center looks styled even when it’s doing heavy storage duty.
Some handy options:
- Cube Organizer Shelf: Organize your collection with a versatile cube storage unit that mimics the clean lines of custom built-ins.
- Mid-Century Furniture Legs: Elevate your storage unit literally and stylistically by attaching these tapered wooden legs for a modern look.
- Vinyl Record Sleeves: Protect your vinyl collection while keeping the spines visible and neat within your new open cubby storage.
Picture-Frame TV Surround
I built a simple trim “frame” around the TV opening so it looked intentionally integrated into the cabinetry instead of just stuck on the wall. That little DIY trim detail is what made my entertainment center read truly built-in.
Possibly handy products:
- Wood Molding Trim: Create your custom frame structure with natural wood trim that can be stained to match your cabinetry perfectly.
- General Purpose Wood Glue: Ensure a seamless and durable bond for your molding joints without needing excessive nails or visible fasteners.
- Miter Box and Saw Set: Cut precise 45-degree angles easily to achieve professional-looking corners on your new picture-frame TV surround.
Room Divider Entertainment Center Wall
I once helped build a two-sided unit where the TV faced the sofa and the back side held books and baskets for the entry area. A double-sided entertainment center is such a wow move when you need zones but don’t have extra rooms.
May just do the trick:
- Open Cube Bookshelf Unit: Use an open-backed shelving unit to separate spaces while keeping sightlines open and displaying decor from both sides.
- Woven Seagrass Storage Baskets: Organize clutter and add texture to your divider shelves with these natural woven baskets for concealed storage.
- TV Mount Swivel Stand: Install a sturdy swivel mount to easily reorient your television between different zones in your open layout.
Projector Niche With Hidden Screen Slot
For a serious “how is this even possible?” moment, I designed an entertainment center with a slim upper slot that hides a pull-down screen and a small shelf for a projector. It keeps the wall looking like shelving and decor most of the time, then transforms into a full DIY home theater entertainment center at night.
Try these:
- Smart Home Theater Projector: Upgrade your movie nights by adding a compact, high-quality projector designed for versatile home theater setups.
- Motorized Pull-Down Screen: Install a retractable screen that tucks away neatly to keep your living space looking clean and modern.
- Cable Management Sleeve Kit: Keep your entertainment center clutter-free by organizing and hiding unsightly power cords and HDMI cables easily.
