A mechanized and hidden TV lift cabinet is an excellent addition to your home because it always improves the aesthetic appeal of your home while also helping you save some space. To get this TV lift cabinet for your home, you have to pick one of two options. The first is to hire a professional to help you build your cabinet, while the other is to build your cabinet yourself. Indeed, each option has its advantages, but one of the critical benefits of doing it yourself over hiring a professional is that it helps you save costs.
If you have decided to build your DIY TV lift cabinet yourself, this article is for you because we will give you step-by-step instructions on how to build a TV lift cabinet. However, before we do that, let us briefly discuss how DIY TV Lift Cabinets work.
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How Do DIY TV Lift Cabinets Work?
A TV lift cabinet is a platform that helps to house your TV lift mechanism. The way it works is that you mount your TV lift mechanism and your TV inside the cabinet, and you lift your TV from within the cabinet every time that you need to. As a result, you must design the top of your TV lift cabinet to open and close without resistance. Lastly, you should note that the TV lift and TV rise from within the cabinet using a remote control that works with the control unit of the TV lift mechanism.
Now that you know how a TV lift cabinet works, you are now ready to build your DIY TV lift cabinet. Therefore, in the next section, you will learn the important preparatory steps that you have to take before building.
Preparing to Build Your DIY Hidden TV Cabinet
As you prepare to build your DIY TV lift cabinet, one of the first things you will need is to source for the wood and other tools you may need. However, before you know how much wood you will need, you need to measure the TV lift mechanism and TV. Furthermore, you must decide how the top of the cabinet will operate. Once you are done with these, you can visit any local lumber store or yard to get the amount of wood you need. You will also need to pick up fasteners, paint, and hinges from stores.
The next thing to learn after this are the steps you must follow to build your TV lift cabinet.
5 Easy Steps to Build a DIY Hidden TV Lift Cabinet
There are five broad steps that you will follow to build a DIY hidden TV lift cabinet. The first is to procure your lift mechanism. After this, you must design your TV lift cabinet, including the top. Next is to build to the point of finishing, and then lastly, you will install your lift mechanism. You must follow all these steps painstakingly, and the next section details everything to do in each of them.
Step 1: Find a DIY TV Lift Mechanism
Your DIY TV lift mechanism is the heart of effectively designing your TV lift cabinet. Therefore, you should set out to purchase the lift mechanism first. While doing so, there are some things to watch out for in the options you find. The first is the depth requirement of the lift mechanism. Different mechanisms require different depths; the more the depth, the more prominent your cabinet will be, meaning you have to be careful as you pick.
Another thing to watch out for is the size of your TV against the size of your lift. Ensure the lift and the TV fit each other. Lastly, ensure the TV lift has a clear manual for operating and assembling it.
One TV lift option you can use if you are looking for quality and clear instructions is the VEVOR Motorized TV lift bracket. This TV lift has an aluminum alloy structure that makes it strong and durable, and it also comes with accessories that make it incredibly easy to install. It is a favorite of users all over the world, with an average rating of 4.7 stars after over a hundred reviews.
After purchasing your TV lift mechanism, the next thing is to design your TV lift cabinet.
Step 2: Design your cabinet or choose from online plans
You can design your lift cabinet by going online and searching for DIY TV lift cabinet plans and looking to see which one best suits your home. You may also find some TV lift manufacturers who give you TV lift cabinet plans. On the other hand, you could also design your cabinet from scratch to suit your requirements. If you decide to do so, you must pay attention to details about your lift mechanism. Some things to look for include:
- How much space or clearance does the top need?
- How will you route the wires?
- Mark out your cut points and plan them.
- How will the joints work
The next step is to design the top of your cabinet specifically.
Step 3: Plan/design the top to open and close without resistance
Here, your primary concern is how the top of your DIY TV lift cabinet will open. You have a couple of options, which include that it opens like a door or that it rests on the top of your TV when the TV lifts. Ordinarily, the second method is much easier, but you could use hinges to make the cabinet open and close like a door. Just note that if you use the hinging method, you must ensure that the top opens and closes with no resistance and that after your TV descends back into the cabinet, the top closes of its own accord, and you do not need to close it manually.
Step 4: Build to finish (sealing)
Once you are done with planning and getting the materials that you need, it is time to build. To build, here are some things to do and take note of:
- The first thing is to use your 2×4 wood (preferably plywood) to build the frame. The frame could be of any size depending on your TV lift. It is usually rectangular or square-shaped and there is a space to insert your TV lift.
- To connect your 2×4 wood to make the frame you will need pocket screws and drills.
- Ensure that you secure the base of your TV frame with plywood. Although you can also use wheels for your base in order to make your cabinet mobile
- After the frame has been fixed, the next thing is the covering and finishing, which is where the aesthetics come in.
- For your covering, you can make use of hardwood because it comes in different colors and gives you a wide range for your finishing.
Note that once you have a functional DIY TV lift cabinet, try it with your TV lift mechanism before you seal and finish. Also, check the top to ensure it is working as it should. If you choose to work with a flip top ensure that when the TV lift comes up the flip doesn’t fall back. Instead, it just rests slightly so that it can close automatically once you lower your TV lift again.
Lastly, take time to finish up your TV lift cabinet properly. Sand, spray, and brush properly, and ensure it is aesthetically pleasing. It is not enough to have a functional TV lift cabinet; you should also have a good-looking one.
Step 5: Install Your TV Lift Mechanism
Once your Cabinet is ready, installing your TV lift mechanism is next. To do this, all you have to do is use the screws and accessories that accompany your TV lift mechanism to mount and secure it on your cabinet. If you built your cabinet well and made the necessary holes, this should take you only a little bit of time.
How To Build DIY Outdoor TV Lift Cabinet
Perhaps what you want to build is not a hidden TV lift cabinet but a DIY Outdoor TV lift cabinet, and you are wondering if you can follow the steps explained above. The simple answer is yes, you can. However, there are some things that you should take into consideration because of the uniqueness of being outdoors. One of those things is to ensure that you face your TV lift cabinet with Cedar tongue-and-groove. You should do these because Cedar is naturally water resistant and will make your cabinet contract and expand as weather changes.
Another important thing to do is ensure that you take weather safety precautions, like using a waterproof sealant while finishing. You can also ensure that the location of the outdoor TV lift cabinet is as shielded from the elements as possible.
Key Takeaways
- To build your DIY TV lift cabinet, the first thing to do is to get your TV lift mechanism because it is the heart and soul of all your construction. After this, design your TV lift cabinet and the top to suit your lift mechanism. Lastly, build your TV lift cabinet and install your lift mechanism.
- When picking your DIY TV lift mechanism, go for high-quality and easy installation. Thankfully, these are two things you get from choosing VEVOR’s Motorized TV lift bracket.
You can build your own DIY TV lift cabinet, and the steps above will help you know what to do each step of the way. Before you go, however, you should have answers to some of the frequently asked questions by DIYers like yourself.
FAQS About DIY TV Lift Cabinet
1. Are DIY TV Lift Cabinets worth it?
Yes, they are worth it. They help you safely house your TV lift and add style to your home. Most importantly, you get to save money with a DIY TV lift cabinet.
2. Can you put a TV lift behind a cabinet?
Yes, you can mount your TV lift anywhere on your cabinet, even behind it. Just ensure that your TV lift is strong and easy to install, like VEVOR’S Motorized TV lift bracket.
3. Can a TV be mounted in a cabinet?
Yes, you can mount your TV in a cabinet, which is also an excellent way to save space in your home. Note that mounting the TV on a TV lift in a cabinet makes it convenient to assess the TV when you need it.
4. How deep does a cabinet need to be for a TV lift?
It depends on the depth of the TV lift mechanism itself. Therefore, measure your TV lift mechanism to decide how deep the TV lift cabinet needs to be.
