Here is a build that proves a TV lift does not always have to lift a TV. Nathan from Nathan Builds used a swivel lift from TVLiftCabinet.com to raise a hidden liquor shelf out of the back of a walnut cabinet. With Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings coming up, it is a fun idea for anyone who loves to host.

The cabinet body is walnut plywood, and instead of iron-on banding for most parts, he glued on quarter-inch strips of solid walnut for a more durable edge. He is upfront that a few strips left small gaps, so he filled them with sawdust and glue and sanded them smooth. He cut grooves for sliding front doors and assembled most of the body with glue and biscuits.

This was his second project with a TVLiftCabinet.com lift, after the hidden TV stand. He says the quality is really good, the steel is strong, and the lifts come with good instructions and detailed drawings. For this build he used a swivel lift, and he explains that the swivel version has a little more structure because it needs to support a TV as it turns.

Because the lift is carrying a bottle insert instead of a TV, he made a few adjustments. He removed some parts he did not need, and he ground off one support so the lift would sit flush with the back of the cabinet. He noted that the metal was so hard it took a while to grind. The lift installs with top and bottom brackets, and the top has adjustment bolts for leveling, though he says his was level right away.

The insert that holds the bottles has aluminum rods across the shelves to keep bottles steady while the lift moves. He used foam from the lift's own packaging to hold those rods in place. He mounted the control box so the manual buttons stay reachable from outside the cabinet in case the remote ever goes missing.

He closes by saying he was surprised at how much weight the lift can hold, while also reminding viewers not to pack it completely full. He kept the look subtle so the walnut grain and the lift are the stars.

If you want to try something similar, start with the lift weight rating and dimensions on the product page, and plan your insert around them.

What You'll See in the Video

  • Walnut plywood case with solid walnut edging and biscuit joinery
  • Cutting grooves for sliding doors
  • Building a bottle insert with aluminum guard rods
  • Adapting and installing a TVLiftCabinet.com swivel lift
  • Mounting the control box for easy manual access
  • The finished bar rising out of the cabinet

Ready to Build Your Own?

See the swivel lift Nathan linked in his description at https://www.tvliftcabinet.com/32-5-inch-tall-smart-360-degree-electric-swivel-tv-lift, or browse every lift at https://www.tvliftcabinet.com/lift-mechanism. Every order is backed by our 100% money-back guarantee.

Creator Credit: Nathan of Nathan Builds, "Building a Secret Bar -- With a Hidden TV Cabinet Lift." Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NATHANBUILDS