I will be the first to admit that I enjoy watching television. I love watching hgtv, sports and some of my favorite shows. So it is not a surprise that we have a lot of TV’s in our home. Today I am going to share with you how we built a frame for a TV on the wall in our master bedroom.
If you look back on my Instagram feed you will probably notice there isn’t a TV anywhere! That’s because I always photograph without showing our TV’s. I just don’t think they look all that great in my decor photos.
But that has changed!
This is what our TV used to look like in our master bedroom.
I decided to build a frame for a TV in our master bedroom. I wanted to make the TV look like a piece of art!
Step One – Replace the TV Mount
The first step was to find a fixed position TV mount. I worked with SANUS and ordered their Premium Series Fixed-Position Mount for a 42″ – 90″ flat panel tv. (Our TV measures 50″ x 33″.)
Step Two – Select the Design
Next, you need to decide on what you want your TV frame to look like. I went to my favorite visual search engine, Pinterest, and found this TV frame and this TV frame. They were both pretty similar and offered nice tutorials on how to build them.
Step Three – Select Your Materials
This is what I used to build the frame for a TV:
Two 8 ft. 3/4″ Ultralite MDF boards (for the sides of the frame)
Twenty feet of crown molding (for the front of the frame)
Wood glue, wood fill, sandpaper, and nails
Paint (I used milk paint)
Step Four – Build the Frame for a TV
As much as I like to think I am good with tools, this project needed a bit of help from a professional. My handyman and I built the frame together. I don’t have a miter saw and I trust his skills at measuring way better than mine! These photos should help you see that the frame was pretty easy to make.
The first step is to build a frame around the TV that fits snugly around the TV. Measure the distance from the wall of the front of the TV and use that measurement for the depth of the frame.
Next, build an outer layer to the frame reflecting the width of the crown molding. We attached small pieces of the MDF to use as supports to hold the frame together.
Measure three times before you cut your molding. We used a miter saw to cut the molding in the corners. Next, we attached the molding to the frame. This will create a very sturdy frame for your TV.
Use sandpaper and wood filler to smooth out the edges.
Be sure to fit the finished frame on the TV just to make sure it still fits.
Step Five – Paint the Frame
I used milk paint to finish the frame. I wanted a vintage look for the frame and I love this color. I also sanded some of the edges for an antique look.
Since the frame fit the TV snugly, we didn’t have to attach it to the wall. I just pushed it against the wall!
I absolutely love how our TV looks now. Can you believe the difference?
8 Responses
Thank you for the photos and instructions on building the tv wall frame. I ‘d like very much to have one like it. Can you tell me where the control box sits?
Great idea! You said that you didn’t have to attach it to the wall, does that mean it is resting on the television?
If you didn’t already get a reply, what I did was use a French cleat purchased at Home Depot or the like (choose longer length available) and mount it to the frame.
Thank you Kathleen!
I think it looks really good! I wish more designers would put the “normal” things in their design photo’s. I’ve also noticed that a lot of designers do not use drapes which is somewhat understandable but also very frustrating. I did google on the heat generated by a tv and whether or not it would be harmful to box it in. Most info says NO it will not hurt but Sony said don’t do it??? But you could easily just drill some holes in the top board and get some ventilation.
Yes, so true, Mary. Thank you for the feedback!
Love the look of this, but where is the cable box?? So many questions as to how there are no wires showing and where the cable box sits.