DIY TV Stand

First, source and cut your lumber according to the cut list below. Having all of your lumber pre-cut will help make the project much easier. Sort your pieces by size and group your doors, legs and other similar parts to easily find them as you work through this project.

Here is the cut list:

2”x 2” x 8’ Studs:

• Six 45-inch rails
• Four 32-inch legs
• Four 13-inch end rails

½” x 4” x 8’ Sanded Plywood:

• Two 16 x 48-inch top and bottom shelves
• One 16 x 47-inch middle shelf
• Two 13 x 32-inch side panels

1” x 4’x 8’ Studs:

• Three 2 ½ x 16-inch feet
• Four 23-inch door trims (top and bottom)
• Four 18-inch door trim sides

¼ x 2’x 4’ Wood Panel:

• Two 18 x 23-inch doors

Next, we’ll work on the side rail pieces. Mark each rail piece at 5 inches, then 22 ½ and finally 40 inches. Use your pocket hole jig set to a ¾ inch depth and drill your pocket holes at those marks. When setting the drill bit depth, use the shoulder of the bit (where the wide, cutting part starts) and not the tip as your reference for measurement.

For the four end rails, mark 3 ½ and 9 ¾ inches on the same side of the boards, which should give you two marks evenly spaced from ether end. Drill 1 ½-inch pocket holes at those marks as pictured above. This will be how they attach to the shelves.

Measure 12 inches down from the top end on all four legs to give you a guide for the placement of the middle shelf.

Each frame consists of three rails and two legs. When assembling, remember that the pocket holes of the two upper rails should be faced towards what will be the top of the DIY TV stand. The bottom rail should be flipped so that the pocket holes face downward.

Set your pocket hole jig to 1 ½ inches and drill into the end of each of the three side rails. Apply glue to the inside of the connection points of each side rail and attach them to the frame using 2 ½-inch wood screws.

Ensure that your pocket holes are facing what will be the inside of the DIY TV stand. Allow the glue to dry.

Repeat this for the other side.

Using wood glue and 1 ¼-inch wood screws, attach the three support feet to the bottom shelf of the DIY TV stand. Make sure to drill pilot holes to not split the wood. When screwing in the center foot, be sure to move the last screw on the back of the frame in 2 inches so it won’t interfere with one of the screws you’ll be driving in later.

Now you’ll attach the frames to the bottom shelf. Use a bead of wood glue along the front of the bottom shelf and place the front frame on top of it. Square up the edges and clamp it in place, then use 1-inch wood screws to attach it to the base. Repeat this process on the other frame as well. Allow the glue to dry.

To attach the middle shelf, you’ll first need to notch out the edges so they’ll fit inside the legs. Cut 1-inch in from the side and 1 ½-inches in from the front using a jigsaw on all four corners. Then you need to attach the side rails with the pocket holes facing the outside of the stand, at the marks you made on the legs earlier, and clamp them in place. Attach them with 2 ½-inch pocket hole screws.

Now add a line of glue around the edge and drop your middle shelf into place, attaching it with pocket hole screws.

Attach your top end rails flush with the tops of the legs, with the pocket holes facing outward. Clamp them in place and secure them with 1 ¼-inch pocket hole screws. Place your top shelf onto the stand and secure it with glue and pocket hole screws as you did with the middle shelf.

Attach your side pieces using glue and a brad nailer for a more professional-looking finish.

Decorative moulding added along the top and bottom of your DIY TV stand can really help finish the look. Using 45-degree mitre cuts, attach the moulding around the outside of the stand with a brad nailer. MDF moulding doesn’t stain well, so if you’re planning to stain, be sure to use wood moulding instead. If you’re planning to paint it, MDF is fine.

Use larger moulding for the bottom of the cabinet – but don’t exceed 4 inches or it will interfere with the doors. Use thinner moulding for the tops and sides.

Use a 45-degree mitre cut on your door pieces, arrange them into a square and attach the door panels to them using wood glue and a brad nailer.

Attach your door hinges and then secure your doors to the DIY TV stand using the hinge screws. Adjust if necessary to ensure that the doors close smoothly.

Fill any nail holes or gaps in your cabinet with wood filler and sand smooth. Give your entire DIY TV stand a good sanding and then remove any dust with a tack cloth. Once you’ve got your cabinet free of holes and gaps and smooth to the touch, you can stain or paint it in any colour you choose.

Allow the paint or stain to dry completely and then add your choice of hardware onto the doors to customize the look!