How to Make a Custom Built-in Entertainment Center - DIY Home Improvement Guides - How to Repair and Remodel your Bathroom, Kitchen and more

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Home Improvement > Other Projects > How to Make a Custom Built-in Entertainment Center

Design and Make a Custom Built-in Entertainment Center

Turn a bare alcove into a built-in entertainment center by designing and making a custom built-in entertainment center to suit your lifestyle, using economical off-the-shelf kitchen cabinets as the base.

Step by Step Instructions with Video

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Step
1

Draw a Rough Sketch

Draw a sketch of your entertainment center with doors and drawers in the base section and adjustable shelving above. Purchase stock kitchen cabinets from any home improvement center.
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Step
2

Screw Cabinets Together

irst clamp the cabinets together and then secure them with screws. Attach a filler strip on each end to conceal the space between the cabinets and the wall.
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Step
3

Cut Holes for Access to Electrical Outlets

Cut holes in the back and through the sides of the cabinet to allow access to the electrical outlets as well as the ability to run wires wherever you need them.
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Step
4

Measure, Cut and Install the Countertop

Measure for the countertop and transfer to a sheet of ? inch plywood. Cut with a circular saw and attach to the base. Cut a piece of 1 x 8 poplar with a notch, to fit around the corner and conceal the edge of the plywood.
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Step
5

Prepare the Upper Portion of Entertainment Center

Using a circular saw and a clamp-on straight edge as a guide, cut the sides, bottoms and top from sheets of ? inch birch veneer plywood.
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Step
6

Drill Holes For the Pins Which Will Support the Shelves

Measure and draw a baseline. Align and clamp a pre-drilled plastic template to the cabinet?s side. Drill a series of holes about two-thirds of the way through the wood. Repeat on all cabinet sides.
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Step
7

onceal the Edges of the Plywood

Conceal the edges of the plywood by applying edge banding ? a thing strip of wood with heat-activated adhesive backing. Trim and sand.
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Step
8

Finish the Shelve Edges.

Face the edges of the shelves with a solid piece of 1 x 2 lumber. This will make the shelves more rigid and look thicker and more substantial.
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Step
9

Assemble the End Section Using Biscuits

Position the end pieces together using wooden biscuits or splines, by cutting slots with a plate joiner, filling with glue and setting the biscuits inside. Apply more glue to the wood surface and press the pieces together. Nail the pieces together.

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Step
10

Complete Assembly Process

Repeat the assembly process for all three upper cabinets and assemble all the units. Secure cabinets together with screws.
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Step
11

Cut and Apply Trim Strips and Molding

Secure cabinets together with screws. Cut and attach trim strips to the front edge of the cabinets to conceal the joint. Cut and attach molding or casing to the outside of the unit.
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Step
12

Finishing Touches

Mount the cabinet doors, install the drawers and set the shelves into position.
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