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We’ve gotten so many requests for the tutorial on how to build this DIY farmhouse TV console, so we are finally typing it out so you can build one too!
This was the second piece of furniture that Andrew and I ever made. We had built a coffee table that had a lift up top so that we could eat dinner on the couch and store all of our board games. Once we tackled that, I thought we could conquer the world (even though the table was pretty basic).
So when Andrew was about to move into his first apartment without a roommate, I saw it as an opportunity to decorate my own place (even though I wasn’t living there).
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Luckily, Andrew agreed it was time to get rid of his tiny Ikea TV stand that was probably 2ft off the ground and not a great height for a TV, and agreed to build this awesome TV console with me. To this day, it’s still my favorite piece of furniture in our house.
We modified plans from Ana White to create this DIY console. We built this baby before our blog was even a thought, so we’re lacking in-progress photos, but we finally created 3D plans to help you follow along with each step. Download them here (for free)!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you a penny more)!
Tools
- Drill
- Kreg Jig
- Wood glue
- Wood filler
- Finishing Nails
- Optional: Nail Gun
- Optional: Electric Sander
What You’ll Need
- 3 – 1x10x8 boards
- 1 – 1x8x8 boards
- 4 – 1x2x8 boards
- 6 – 1x4x8 boards
- 5 – 2x3x8 boards
- 3/4″ plywood
- 1/4″ plywood sheet
- 6 – 1.5″ corner braces
- 6.6′ Sliding Barn Door Hardware and Extra Door Hardware (the first link only comes with enough for 1 door, so you need to grab the additional door hardware as well)
- Stain (we used Minwax Dark Walnut)
- Finishing Wax or Polycrylic
We used Oak for our entertainment console. Using pine or poplar will be significantly cheaper, but you won’t have such a strong wood grain.
How to build a DIY farmhouse TV console
Cut list
Download the free cut list and printable plans here. We recommend making cuts as you go through the project rather than cutting them all upfront. This way you can double-measure as you go along. The measurements provided are what we used, but you might find that yours will vary from ours.
The final dimensions of our TV console were approximately 83.5″ x 19.5″ x 28″.
STEP 1: BUILD TWO FRAMES
To assemble the frames, create a rectangle with a frame top, bottom, and 2 sides. You can use pocket holes and glue to attach each piece.
Then attach the middle supports. The supports should be equally spaced, but do not need to be perfect. Both of these frames will be completely hidden.
STEP 2: ATTACH THE SIDE PANELS
Attach the side panels to the sides of the frames with glue and screws. The side panels should be flush with the front and should overhang by .25″ in the back. This will allow the .25″ back to be flush with the sides when you add it in the end.
STEP 3: ATTACH THE FACE FRAME
Lay your TV console on it’s back so that you can attach the face frame. Attach your face frame to the sides and support frames using glue and nails.
Note: your frame support boards and middle face frame boards will not line up. The entire frame will be covered, so don’t worry about this.
STEP 4: ADD SHELVES
Lift your TV console up and lay the bottom shelf on top of the bottom frame. Secure the shelf using glue and nails. The nails should not be any longer than 1.25″.
Note: your sides should still overhang by .25″ on the back. The bottom shelf should be flush with the bottom frame, not the sides.
Attach the shelf supports to the inside of your 5 vertical face frame boards (so they are hidden from the front) using glue and 1.25” nails. Then add a support to each side.
Next, add the 5 supports along the back. For these, attach them to the bottom using pocket holes and glue.
A few things to note: Make sure your pocket holes are facing the back so you don’t see the holes from the front. You’ll also want to position these in line with the face frames so they are hidden. They should also be placed .5” from the back of the bottom shelf. I will explain why in the next step.
Before we can add the middle shelf, we have to assemble it. To make the middle shelf, attach the 1×8 and 1×10 together using pocket holes and glue.
Alternate directions when drilling your pocket holes. They shouldn’t all be going from the 1×8 into the 1×10 or vise versa.
The shelf will only measure 16.5” deep, meaning there will be a 1/2” gap between the back of the shelf and the back of the tv console. We left this gap so that we could run cords between the two shelves. If you would not like a gap, make your frames (and side pieces) 1/2” smaller from the get-go.
Now it’s time to install the middle shelf.
Glue every side of your shelf that will be touching your current TV console frame and glue on top of every shelf support. Place your shelf inside and nail the shelf into the shelf supports for extra security.
STEP 5: ATTACH THE BACK
Attach the plywood to the back of your TV console using 1.25″ nails. The back should now be flush with your sides.
STEP 6: MAKE THE DOORS
Build your two doors by attaching (5) 1×4 boards to one another using pocket holes.
“Frame” your doors by gluing and nailing 1x2s top of the boards you just attached.
To create the x pattern, place a 1×2 board over your door and mark where it needs to be cut. Cut using a miter saw. The x-pattern is created using 3 separate pieces. Attach the x pattern using glue and nails.
STEP 7: ATTACH THE HARDWARE
The final step is to install the barn door hardware by installing the metal bar to the top face frame and the wheels to the doors using the included bolts.
We attached an additional 1×2 to the 2×3 frame right behind our top face frame in order to make sure the bolts were screwed into something thicker than just the face frame for added stability.
Note: you’ll want to make sure that you install it in line with the bottom of the top face frame so the wheels will fit without hitting the top when it slides open and closed.
STEP 8: ATTACH THE TOP
Build the top of your TV console by attaching the two 1×10 boards with pocket holes. Be strategic with how you lay out your two top boards. We were able to closely match the wood grains so it looks like a single board.
Attach the top of your TV console to the top frame using 1.5″ metal right angle brackets evenly distributed. The front should hangover by 1/2” and the back will be flush. The sides will overhang by approximately 2.5” on each side.
Now it’s time to go find the perfect place in your home for your new TV console! Get ready for lots of compliments and people staring in disbelief when you say that YOU built this beautiful piece of furniture from scratch!
We can’t wait to see your TV console! Take a picture and tag us on Instagram (@craftedbythehunts) so we can see your awesome craftsmanship!
And don’t forget to download the free PDF plans (complete with 3D renderings for each step!)
Annie says
This is stunning! Hoping we can make it for a fraction of one already made costs – is there a way to add some kind of feet at the bottom? We have an older house and our floor vent is unfortunately on the only wall we can mount our tv on so we need something with height on it so the flow vent can stay open and direct the air flow away from the furniture – hope that makes sense! Essentially space under the bottom of this beautiful console is needed instead of resting on the floor!
Zoe Hunt says
Hi Annie! You could definitely add legs or feet to this to raise it up a bit. That’s why we love DIY–you get to make it to fit your needs! You can adjust the plans to include legs, or you can buy some pre-made feet and attach them at the end. You could also use 1x4s or 2x4s as feet, just make sure to add a few near the middle of the console for extra support. One idea would be to line the feet up with all of the vertical face boards. Hope that helps!
Bryanna Duenez says
Hey! I would love to make this but I already have a tv unit. So basically I want my tv unit to be transformed into the farm-house-doors. Is there a way to do this using your tutorial? Thanks!
Zoe Hunt says
Hi Bryanna! It really depends on your unit. If it’s strong enough to hold extra doors and hardware and you can find barn door hardware that fits it, you should be able to add sliding doors.
Nicole Rouble says
Hi, we have been following your plans but have come across a problem with the door hangers…your link brings us to a 6ft length hardware so we ordered that but it’s definitely not long enough? Is your longer?
Zoe Hunt says
Hi Nicole! I am so sorry about the mix-up. It looks like the company recently came out with a new 6ft version and updated the listing to reflect that. Luckily I was able to track down the old 6.6ft version! Here’s the link: https://amzn.to/30zbDor
Shania says
Hey Zoe!
I came across this project on Pinterest and am looking forward to building it. It’s gorgeous. For some reason the email plans never sent in spam folder or regular is there any way you could email me the plans?
Thanks so much!
Zoe Hunt says
Hi Shania! I’m so glad to hear you like the TV console. It’s a fun build! I just sent the plans your way. Let me know if you don’t see them in your inbox!
Tiffany says
Hi the plans also did not send to my email. Is there any way you could send them? Cant wait to start this beautiful project!!
Zoe Hunt says
So sorry about that! Just sent the link your way.
Michelle says
How did you get the brackets up? Do they stick out once you put them up so the wheel can slide on them or does it lay flush with the wood? If so these do not work. The wheels are so big! Do you have a video or something?
Thank you
Zoe Hunt says
Hi Michelle! Unfortunately, we built this project long before we ever thought we’d have a blog so we don’t have any pictures or videos on how to hang the barn door hardware. The hardware should have rail spaces and lag bolts included that you will use to connect the hardware to the wood. I’m not sure if this picture helps, but your rail should sit a little less than 1.5″ from the wood, which gives just enough space for the wheels with a 1/2″ overhang for the top.
Michelle says
Thank you so much for this. The track I had was wrong I got the one from amazon but it has a J hook and yours is flat! Almost done! Ha just have to find a new track
Tiffany says
This is so beautiful!! What stain did you use and did you put any sort of clear coat, polyurethane, or polycrylic?
Zoe Hunt says
Thank you!! We used Minwax Dark Walnut stain (leaving it on for 15 minutes before wiping it off) and then finished it with Minwax Finishing Wax.
Kacie Gibbs says
Really looking to build one for our home but would like it to have legs instead of fully sitting on the ground, is there a way for you to help me adjust to that?
Eric says
The “what you need” list is a little inaccurate. There is an extra 1×[email protected]’ and it’s short 2 1×[email protected]’ also missing 1 additional 1×[email protected]’. Other than that it’s great! Thanks for the plans!
Laurie says
Hi, where did you get your carpet ? 😍
Zoe Hunt says
We got it from Wayfair, but they don’t sell it anymore 🙁