Fall is DIY season. The yard work winds down, the weather cools off, and there is finally time for that project you have been thinking about since spring.
Here is a good one: build a hidden TV into a piece of furniture. A motorized TV lift mounts inside a chest, console, or cabinet and raises the TV out of the top when you want to watch. Each lift below carries up to 120 pounds, installs in about 15 minutes, and has onboard power for your TV. Pick a project, pick the lift that fits it, and you will have it done before the first snow.
1. Build a Blanket Chest With a Hidden TV for the Den
A simple pine or cedar blanket chest is a classic beginner woodworking project. Make it tall enough to house the 27 Inch Smart Lift, add a hinged or sliding lid, and you have a cozy den piece that hides most 43 inch TVs. The lift rises nearly 24 inches, putting the screen at a comfortable seated height.
2. Make a Swivel TV Console From Reclaimed Barn Wood
Reclaimed barn boards turn into a gorgeous rustic console, and a swivel lift makes it do double duty. The 35 Inch 360 Degree Swivel Lift carries most 55 inch TVs, rises almost 32 inches, and rotates the screen a full circle. It also has an RJ-45 port for smart home control and runs nearly silent.
See the 35 Inch 360 Swivel Lift
3. Build a Farmhouse Console That Turns Toward the Kitchen
Holiday cooking means hours in the kitchen. Build a farmhouse style console for the edge of the family room and fit it with the 37 Inch 360 Degree Swivel Lift. It handles TVs up to 60 inches and turns the screen toward the kitchen while you baste the turkey.
See the 37 Inch 360 Swivel Lift
4. Convert a Bar Cabinet Into a Game Room TV Hideaway
Bar height cabinets are a great size for a TV lift, and fall is prime time for game room projects. The 41 Inch TV Lift with Electronics Tray includes a 48 by 13 and a half inch tray for mounting the TV and keeping gear tidy, three onboard outlets, and built-in cord management. It fits TVs up to 65 inches and rises almost 38 inches.
See the 41 Inch Lift with Electronics Tray
5. Start a Basement Media Wall Before Winter
Winter means more time in the basement. Get ahead of it with a half height media wall that hides a huge screen. The 46 Inch Smart Lift fits most 82 inch TVs and rises almost 43 inches, so an 82 inch screen can disappear into cabinetry and come up for movie night.
Before You Build: 5 Tips for a TV Lift Project
- Start with the TV. Measure the TV's width, height, and depth without the stand, and check its weight against the 120 pound limit.
- Match the lift to the furniture. The inside height of your piece should fit the lift's closed height, with room for the TV when it is lowered.
- Build a strong base. The lift mounts to the bottom panel, so use solid wood or plywood, not particle board.
- Plan the lid. Choose a hinged, sliding, or lift-off lid, and make sure it clears the TV's path completely.
- Leave power access. Drill a cord hole in the back so the lift's power cord reaches a wall outlet.
Ready to Build?
A TV lift turns a weekend woodworking project into something the whole family will use all winter. Every lift ships free and installs in about 15 minutes. Questions about which lift fits your build? Call an expert at 877-377-5435 or browse all TV lift mechanisms.