Media Cabinet DIY Makeover
Many years ago we purchased this media cabinet. Over the years my taste has changed and I’ve grown tired of the orange stain. After consulting with my husband I got the okay to paint this media cabinet. But painting it wasn’t going to be enough. I needed to add details and hide all the components that were behind the glass. Here’s my solution. (This post contains affiliate links please see disclosure policy)
I began this project by painting this media cabinet with White Lace one of my signature paint colors from Heirloom Traditions paint. I started using a brush and then went on to using a foam roller so I could get as smooth of a finish as possible. This paint doesn’t require a primer. I also didn’t sand this before I started. It was a tedious job because the speakers and the television needed to remain on my cabinet. Since the paint is so light and the cabinet is on the dark side this took 2 coats of paint.
Once the cabinet was painted it was time to add the details. To do this I decided to use Efex appliques. I’ve used these before as I added a few Efex appliques to my kitchen cabinets. I shared a step by step tutorial on how to apply these appliques on my post adding Efex appliques to my cabinets.
Before I started gluing these appliques to my media cabinet I created the design I wanted on the floor. Then I slowly started gluing the appliques on. Once the glue was dry I added another coat of paint on my entire piece. To finish it off I added a clear sealer coat. You can see in the photo below my kitchen cabinets with appliques.
I still needed to address those doors. I didn’t want to see the components and boxed movies inside of my media cabinet doors. I decided to remove the glass from the doors and add fabric in place of the glass. Here’s how I did it. First I measured my doors from the inside then cut out pieces of cardboard to fit on the inside of the door.
Then I placed the cardboard on top of quilt batting and used my hot glue gun to attach the batting to the cardboard.
Once the glue was dry I placed my cardboard and quilt batting on top of my fabric. But before gluing I checked to make sure that the pattern would looked straight and in the correct direction.
Next I glued the fabric on to the cardboard. I had to be careful not to stretch the fabric too much. If I did it wouldn’t have been even. Because this is not going to be seen by anyone I wasn’t really picky about how perfect it looked from the other side. To finish it I added a piece of fabric I already had in my stash. I just folded the fabric and glued it on.
You can see my fabric is wrinkled. But as I said no one is going to see this. If I wanted to be really picky I would have made sure the fabric was ironed then glued it on. But I’m not Martha Stewart. For a finishing touch I added some fancy trim. As I placed these on the doors I made sure that each panel matched exactly. I didn’t want the patterns on each piece to look different. That would have drove me nuts! Once I was finished with each panel I used my hot glue and placed them inside each door panel. Here’s what my media cabinet looks like now.
I found the fabric and hardware at Hobby Lobby. Always wait until the fabric and hardware goes on sale. If you’re in a pinch they always offer 40% off coupons. But you can’t use those on sale items.
Do you have any pieces of furniture that you would like to update? Why not paint it? So let’s compare before and after.
Resources:
Heirloom Traditions paint White Lace
Heirloom Traditions paint Aqua Clear
I love it!
LOVE THIS! You are so talented little lady! I love your youtube videos too. Keep them coming! <3
The cabinet looks amazing – such a dramatic transformation! You have given me the incentive to paint a large dark wood display cabinet that also belonged to a very large entertainment center we used to own. I am in the same situation as you – trying to decorate on a budget and also planning to move/downsize in two years. I have several pieces which are not my style anymore, but I am living with them until we sell our home. Painting is a great way to update, but oh how I wish I could just ditch it all and purchase what I truly love. Oh well, at least now that I finally know what I like decor wise, my furnishings and decorating will have a much more cohesive look and style in the next home. Oh, and congrats on your weight loss – I have been gaining and losing the same 15 lbs for ten years, so I am taking your advice and going to give the Whole 30 a try.
Anne this is beautiful, LOVE the addition of the appliqués. This was a big job. I did a similar thing is to our old hutch and when moved to this home I got rid of the top. The lines were to kitchy country. For some reason I remember you talking about this piece once before saying you not take this beast. Am I right?
Cindy
Amazing beautiful transformation, it just made all the difference in the world.
We have a cherry entertainment center that I would love to paint, but the hubs says why on earth would you want to cover that beautiful wood up, and I simply reply because I’m not strong enough to throw it out the door!
I wish I had your talent you do such beautiful work.
Wow what a difference!! Its given me a great idea to revamp mine!! I love it!
Sooooo much more suited for your room…. bright and happy, great makeover!
Oh my gosh! That is gorgeous! It goes so well with the rest of your home now. What a transformation and such a big job! Well done.
Hi, I’m dying to know where you got your angel wings.!
Boy, that was some project, did you feel like throwing it out in any part of process? The addition of those appliques was very smart choice to give the pieces more of your look and those lovely aqua knobs are perfect for piece.
To hide tv when not watching you could use shutter doors across tv that can be opened when tv viewing. Or could make nice curtains to cover tv during non viewing times. Same with covering those speakers. They could be covered all the time without blocking sound from tv. Was glad to see how you had updated this” very unlike your style media cabinets”. Remember you talking about it while ago.
Happy weekend
Where did u get your angel wings???? Love the tv update.
Reading through your posts, I have been amazed by how much detail you put into all of your pieces. I receive insight with every DIY and post. Thanks for having such great ideas and for sharing them with us all!
Hi Anne I love what you have done with your entertainment center it is gorgeous .