Homemade shelving unit and built-in wardrobe with TV cabinet, by Ron and Margo

A custom-made shelving unit for the seating area

A place for your television, space for your finest accessories, and items neatly out of sight: with a custom-made shelving unit, you combine it all. Ron and Margo made this built-in cabinet entirely themselves, using custom-cut wood from OPMAATZAGEN.nl. The result is an almost ceiling-high TV cabinet in the color Aubergine from Home Made By, with a playful arrangement of open compartments and closed cabinets.

From white panels to a complete TV cabinet

The construction photos show how the cabinet takes shape step by step. First, a low base with white panels and vertical dividers stands beneath the television. Next, the side sections and the frame for the television compartment are added. In a subsequent phase, the compartment division extends to just below the ceiling. In this way, the wall behind the television transforms into a single cohesive piece of furniture.

Open compartments and simple cabinet fronts

The design consists of straight panels, horizontal shelves, and vertical dividers. The compartments vary in width and height and are not all positioned directly above one another. This creates a lively layout without appearing cluttered. At the bottom, you see a continuous row of flat cabinet doors without visible handles. A compartment to the left of the television and one at the top right is also enclosed with a door. This allows you to alternate practical storage space with areas where you want to display items.

The television has been given a spacious, rectangular central compartment, with a shelf underneath for the black soundbar. The open compartments contain plants, photo frames, a candlestick, and a gold-colored bird, among other items. The tall, narrow compartment on the right accommodates a vase with decorative branches. It is precisely this variety that makes this shelving unit personal.

A built-in wardrobe that utilizes space

The cabinet is situated in the seating area, between the fireplace surround on the left and the side wall by the window on the right. By utilizing the available width and virtually the full height, the piece of furniture appears to be an integral part of the room. You gain ample storage space on one wall, while the floor in front of the grey corner sofa remains clear.

The Aubergine finish from Home Made By connects the doors, shelves, and back panels into a single unit. In the photos, the color appears as a greyish purple-pink shade that appears lighter or deeper in daylight. Next to the dark tiled floor, the warm-colored wallpaper, and the small wooden table, the cabinet takes on a soft, warm appearance.

Build your own TV cabinet with custom-made wood

For this DIY project, OPMAATZAGEN.nl took care of cutting the wood to size. Ron and Margo handled the construction and finishing themselves. With panels cut to the desired dimensions, you can focus on carefully aligning, assembling, and painting your cabinet while working on it.

The great thing about DIY is that you aren't tied to standard sizes. You decide the size of the TV compartment, where you want closed storage, and how much space your accessories will have. You also tailor your choice of materials and finish to your preferences. Furthermore, by doing the assembly and painting yourself, you can save on labor costs. However, be sure to factor hinges, mounting hardware, and paint into your budget.

Smart preparation for your own built-in wardrobe

Do you want to build a similar cabinet? Then measure the space at multiple heights and widths: walls and ceilings are not always perfectly straight. Also include space for doors, cable routing, and the ventilation requirements of your equipment in your design. During assembly, regularly check that the components are level and ensure proper anchoring to the wall.

Warm contemporary style

With clean lines and flat doors, your interior gains a calm, contemporary foundation. The aubergine colour, plants, and gold-coloured accessories add warmth. The irregularly shaped wooden table forms a beautiful contrast with the straight compartments. In this way, this project demonstrates that a practical TV cabinet can also be an atmospheric element of your seating area.

The sheet material used: MDF Primed

MDF Primed is a smooth MDF board with a pre-applied primer. This makes it a convenient base for a painted modular cabinet: there is no visible wood grain, allowing you to finish the panels smoothly in the same color. The primer saves preparatory work on the pre-treated surfaces. However, pay extra attention to saw edges and any drill holes, as these may require suitable pre-treatment. Follow the instructions of your paint system for light sanding, dust removal, and the topcoat. This way, you work towards an even final result, like with Ron and Margo's cabinet.