A wall mounted TV shelf not only has functional qualities, it also complements the design of the room. With its help, you can save space in your apartment, as well as create a stylish, aesthetic look for a transformed wall. In addition, you don’t have to spend money on buying wall shelves, because you can make them yourself.
Wall mounted TV shelf
Pros and cons of hanging shelves
Like all types of furniture structures, wall shelves have their positive and negative sides . The advantages of such shelves include:
- modern appearance of the product;
- saving space in the apartment;
- Protecting the TV from children and pets - they will not be able to reach it.
TV location option (angle view)
Now let's look at the main disadvantages of hanging structures:
- Failure to follow the rules when mounting the shelf may result in the TV falling;
- if the shelf is installed above or below eye level, then watching any program or movie will quickly lead to visual fatigue;
- installation of more complex structures requires special tools, which not every garage has.
Wall mounted shelf rack
Corners 200x300 mm for wall mounting
If you approach the installation of the shelf correctly, then there can be no talk of any disadvantages, because the TV will be located at a normal level, and the shelf will be securely fastened. All that remains is to choose the type of wall shelf you plan to make.
TV shelf
Original wall shelf for TV
What to finish with?
The finishing work is quite simple; you can do it yourself. The difficulty lies in finishing the end edges. The material may crack in the future and begin to crumble. To avoid this, the joints and ends of the sheets are trimmed with aluminum and plastic corners. Semicircular models can be finished with mounting tape. It’s better not to skimp on it; you need to fix everything carefully.
The joints can be reinforced with reinforcing mesh. It is glued in fragments on top. The heads of the screws should not stick out; they are sealed with starting putty. After processing the joints and ends, finishing putty is applied to the entire structure.
Drywall can be decorated with almost any decorative material. This could be wallpaper, plaster, various types of paints. The structure can be finished with the same material as the walls. Then the shelves will look like part of the wall. You can highlight them with material and color to make a bright accent in the interior, visually divide or adjust the space.
If you plan to paint the structure with colored paint, it is recommended to make the niche lighter. It will be shaded anyway. To do this, you can dilute some of the paint from white of the same brand. Alternatively, you can decorate individual shelves or structural elements. For finishing you should use stone, mirrors, colored glass or plastic, imitation stained glass and much more.
The choice of decorative finishing material can also be approached from a practical point of view. A lot depends on the frequency of cleaning. If the shelves are covered with wallpaper, they can quickly become unusable. In this case, the external vertical surfaces can be covered with wallpaper to match the walls, and the horizontal shelves can be painted.
If the shelves are purely decorative and require infrequent cleaning with a vacuum cleaner or a special brush, they can be completely covered.
For example, you can paint them with paint. You can choose a practical color.
Classification
The width of the shelves directly depends on the size of the TVs being installed, so if you have a wide TV of an older model, then the shelf should be appropriate. Flat models are attached with special brackets and plugs that allow you to position the TV screen at a certain angle for the eyes. But if we talk about old “boxes”, then for their installation large structures are used that can withstand heavy weights.
Samples of shelves for TV
When choosing a future design for a TV, you need to start from the size of the device. But if for old TVs shelves with simple designs that do not turn or tilt are mainly used, then for modern models there is a wider choice. Below are the main options for hanging shelves that you can make yourself.
Wide hanging shelf
Table. Types of hanging shelves.
| Shelf name, photo | Description |
| Corner | A simple shelf, made in external or internal version. Making a corner shelf is not difficult, so many beginners choose this option. |
| Wall-mounted | An excellent presentable shelf that allows you to conveniently and beautifully install a TV or other items. But if the TV is an old model, then it will not look so stylish on such a modern shelf. |
| Hanging | Another type of wall shelves. This option will fit perfectly into the interior of small rooms where you need to save space. The disadvantages of hanging shelves include the complexity of their design. |
| With bracket | This type of shelf is used quite rarely, although it looks very attractive. It is very difficult to make such a product yourself, especially without special skills or experience working with wood. |
| Shelf-stand | A small cabinet that does not stand on the floor, as is usually the case, but is attached to the wall. The design of the shelf-cabinet has additional shelves where you can store useful things, for example, a tuner or discs with films. |
Wall shelves in the interior
Note! There are multi-tiered TV shelves, combined or using back walls. The same can be said about the mounting methods - brackets or corners. The structural variety of hanging shelves is very large, so before starting work, the master must know what exactly he needs.
TV frame made from pallets
The idea is to turn the TV into a beautiful living picture, in which people move and talk, cartoon characters have fun and the news is shown. To do this, a thick wooden frame is created from a pallet.
The width of the frame is selected depending on the size of the boards from which the pallet is made. The boards are fastened together in such a way as to realize the design concept. Then the surface of the frame is processed. There are many different design methods. The surface of the frame is made smooth using sandpaper. Then it can be painted, varnished or silver paint. All this reflects personal taste and style.
What to consider when choosing
Since there are quite a lot of TV mounts and their prices can be different, you should choose them taking into account not only personal preferences, but also financial capabilities, because complex and stylish designs are not cheap. You also need to pay attention to the material, type of construction and other equally important factors.
Concealed shelf holder
Material of manufacture
The best material for creating shelves is wood . This is an inexpensive material that has many advantages: it is durable and harmless to others. Almost all the furniture in the house is wooden, so a wall shelf can fit perfectly. Of course, stores may sell shelves made of other materials, but if you decide to make a shelf yourself, then wood is best suited for this purpose.
Wooden TV stands
Design features
Wall shelves can be made in different designs, but a wall-mounted product is considered optimal. It is worth noting that the duration and complexity of the work process depends on the type of design.
TV stands
Dimensions
TVs come in different sizes, so be sure to take this into account when choosing a shelf design. First of all, measure the dimensions of the TV, and only then start calculating the future shelf.
TV shelf drawing
Installation location
It is also necessary to decide on the location where the structure will be installed. As a rule, a wall shelf is attached to the wall opposite the armchairs or sofa - this will make watching TV much more convenient. But if you are going to install a TV in the kitchen, then the shelf for it is mainly mounted in the corner so that it does not disturb anyone in an already cramped room.
The installation location must be decided in advance
Options for homemade designs: general principles
Depending on the distance between your TV receiver and the transmitting antenna of the television center, the signal level will change. Another negative factor affecting the quality of television wave propagation is the presence of obstacles. Ideal reception occurs when there is a direct line of sight between the two antennas. That is, you can see the mast of the television center, even through binoculars. If there are buildings or tall trees in the path of the TV signal, there will be no reliable reception. However, waves reflected from other objects can be received by a TV antenna amplifier. If even weak waves do not “break through” to your house, you will have to make a mast. The network of television and radio broadcasting stations is located in such a way that you can receive a signal in any locality.
- Indoor antenna.
Operates without an amplifier in relative proximity to the transmitting mast. If you can see the television center from your window, some of the channels can be caught literally with a piece of wire. How to make a television antenna with your own hands can be seen in the illustration. The quality of workmanship in such conditions affects only the aesthetic component. But if you live on the 1st–3rd floor, and even surrounded by concrete boxes of a residential neighborhood, a simple design will not work. An indoor antenna, especially one made by yourself, will require a signal amplifier. The advantage of this design is that there is no need for weather protection. - An outdoor TV antenna can look exactly the same as an indoor one. In this case, a prerequisite is high strength (so that the wind does not change the geometry) and protection of the contact group from corrosion. It is usually placed in close proximity to the window (in high-rise buildings) or on the roof of a private household. The connecting cable is relatively short, so an amplifier is not required to reliably receive a digital or analog signal. Except for the case when the transmitting center is far away. The design is accessible for maintenance and repair, this is an undeniable advantage of being located nearby.
- Outdoor antenna for long-range TV. As a rule, this is a rather bulky design with a screen and additional elements that amplify a weak signal. An electronic amplifier is welcome, but with proper design it may not be needed. Perhaps to compensate for a long cable (there will definitely be losses in it). Such devices are mounted on the roofs of high-rise buildings or on masts in private households. The fastening must be strong, otherwise the wind can easily destroy the structure.
- The antenna type is selected based on the reception characteristics and wind load in the region. For example, the Kharchenko antenna (the most popular homemade option) should not have a high windage. It may be necessary to choose another, more complex project.
Next, let's look at examples of making antennas at home using scrap materials, from simple to complex.
Where is the best place to install
A bad solution would be to simply attach a shelf anywhere in an apartment or house. Therefore, when choosing a suitable location, you need to consider several rules and recommendations. For example, it is strictly not recommended to install a shelf close to heating devices (for example, a stove), on a wall with a fireplace, or in a confined space. One of the most popular places with enclosed space in an apartment is a niche.
Old TV on a shelf
To ensure that the installed TV does not harm your eyesight or pose a threat to the health of family members, you need to ensure that the distance from the floor to the shelf board is at least 100 cm. Also, the TV must be at a decent distance from the eyes. We are talking about four TV diagonal sizes.
Triplex does not break, it only cracks. This is what is used to make bulletproof glass. Suitable for large TV
On a note! When installing a wall shelf, you need to take into account the location of the sofa or bed in the room, which should be at right angles to the TV. A small deviation is allowed, but no more than 30%.
Overview of species
If the plasma panel is mounted below on the wall, additional electronics elements can be placed on the shelves: a CD player, a satellite TV tuner. When the user bought a TV with an LCD screen, it was time to purchase modern furniture, because it is unlikely to fit into the “grandmother’s” wall, and even if it does, it will look extremely unaesthetic.
Thus, it makes sense to list the main furniture models used as a TV stand:
- TV stand;
- furniture module;
- built-in headset;
- modular section;
- various consoles;
- wall shelf.
Design and functionality should be chosen based on the interior style of the room and the presence of auxiliary electronic devices. If the TV is located in the nursery, it is necessary to consider the issue of environmental safety.
Cabinets
Many users actively use just such a furniture attribute to install a modern TV. Most of the models presented are practical, stylish in design, and inexpensive. Therefore, choosing a cabinet according to the current family budget and for a specific interior direction will not be difficult.
Modern cabinets have many small shelves, opening drawers, and convenient niches. Models come on legs or wheels, are usually made from high-quality materials, come in beautiful finishes in a variety of shades, and are designed to accommodate additional electronic devices.
Racks
Quite an interesting and modern solution that allows you to beautifully position your TV and other accessories. Device stands are more suitable for a minimalist style in the interior. Despite a certain simplicity, they have a number of advantages:
- low cost;
- emphasized restraint;
- brevity.
They also stand out for their great functionality. Racks are made in various sizes, designs, with different numbers of shelves. Exterior finishes come in both dark and light shades. Therefore, every connoisseur of a strict, laconic style in the interior has the opportunity to buy a stand and not only beautifully decorate the wall, but also conveniently place the TV, discs, and remote controls.
Elevators
Relatively new devices designed more for plasma panels. Thanks to the design feature, it will be possible to mount the TV vertically. On the reverse side there is a laconic or rich decor. Using the remote control, you can control the mechanism: raise the structure, lower it, rotate it, tilt it. Such an unusual device differs from all similar solutions for TVs not only in its great functionality, but also in its magnificent, impeccable design.
Cabinets
In spacious rooms, TVs, set-top boxes, audio systems and other attributes of modern electronics are placed separately from elements of massive furniture, but when there is a shortage of free space, wardrobes are installed nearby. In order for them to look good and aesthetically fit into the interior concept, such furniture items must be carefully selected.
If you purchased a chest of drawers with drawers or a wardrobe with a stand and its appearance corresponds to a modern design, it will look justifiable next to the TV. But if the woodworking product is tall, massive, with shelves, and is not original, then it is necessary to choose a special place so that the piece of furniture does not spoil the interior style and does not violate the integrity of the surroundings.
Making a shelf
Very often, especially in old apartments, it happens that there is simply no room for the purchased TV. For example, a small kitchen is crammed with household appliances and furniture, so installing a TV here may cause problems. But how to get out of this situation? You can make a corner shelf and attach it to a free wall. These shelves are very easy to make, so you can make them without any experience or special skills.
You can make a hanging shelf yourself
What you need for work
Before you begin the work process, you need to prepare everything you need for this. Take care of purchasing wood for the shelf (boards or plywood). Also, to create a corner shelf you will need the following tools:
- hand saw or jigsaw;
Tools you may need for the job
- drill with a set of drills;
- building level for the correct positioning of the shelf;
- screws with dowels;
- crosshead screwdriver;
- a measuring device, such as a tape measure or ruler;
- decorative self-adhesive tape.
Pine boards
Once everything you need is at hand, you can begin making the corner shelf.
Instructions
Choose a suitable corner in the kitchen and cut a piece of board or durable plywood to its size. If there is a pipe from the battery running there or a window sill is in the way, cut off the excess parts so that the corner fits perfectly into place. You can use a hand saw to trim, but if you have an electric jigsaw it will make the job much easier. Next, you need to follow the step-by-step instructions given below.
Step 1. Sand the surface of the cut board with sandpaper, making it as smooth as possible. Then cover it with self-adhesive tape (choose the color and pattern based on your preferences).
After sanding, apply self-adhesive tape
Step 2 . Screw the mounting angles to the shelf using self-tapping screws. These corners are where the shelf will be attached to the wall, so they must be strong. The length of the screws should be less than the thickness of the shelf, so that when screwing the corners, the screw does not pierce the board right through.
Screwed metal corners
Step 3 . Make marks on the wall where the shelf will be attached and drill holes using an electric drill. In our case, 4 holes are drilled in the wall.
Holes for mounting the shelf
Step 4 . Carefully insert the dowels into the finished holes and press them so that they do not stick out from the wall. If necessary, you can lightly tap the products.
Bolts with which the shelf will be attached
Step 5 . Place the shelf in place and screw it to the wall. The dimensions and weight of the shelf are small, so you can install it yourself.
Shelf installed
Step 6 . Check all fastening points - they should be well clamped. If necessary, raise the right or left side of the shelf so that it is level. Use a building level to measure.
After installation, check the position of the shelf
Step 7 . Once the corner shelf is ready, place the TV on it and hide the wires so they are not obvious. If desired, you can place a small flower next to the TV as a decoration.
TV installed on a shelf
There is no need for additional finishing of the corner shelf, so immediately after installation it can be used for its intended purpose. You can also make a two-story shelf and put some items on the bottom one.
Placement nuances
Once the image of the shelf has already been formed, all that remains is to find the ideal place for it in the house. First of all, you should consider in which room the shelf will be located.
If this is a kitchen, then you need to take into account a number of factors:
- Constant temperature changes. There is cooking in the kitchen almost every day. The stove heats up, the air heats up along with it, and then cools back down in a few hours. Therefore, the shelf should be insensitive to changes.
- Constant changes in humidity. The kettle heats up and steam is released. When the water for soup heats up, steam is released. The air in the kitchen is sometimes saturated with moisture, sometimes more or less dry. Consequently, the shelf should not suffer from such a regime.
- Difficult operating conditions. Something is constantly being spilled in the kitchen, eggs are being broken, salads are being mixed, something is being fried in oil, something is being baked in a hot oven. In such conditions, it is very easy to accidentally stain a shelf with anything - almost as easy as accidentally touching it with your hand. Therefore, it should be easy to wash and be insensitive to mechanical damage.
Wall in the living room interior
Therefore, you need to put either metal in the kitchen - it’s not scary at all - or glass - and wash it every day. Chipboard with MDF will become unusable in just a couple of years, and natural wood will dry out or swell, unless it is constantly treated with special solutions.
If this is a living room, the requirements for the shelf are lower. Only the aesthetic issue needs to be taken into account. The whole family gathers in the living room, and guests come to it. If this is not so important in the kitchen, then in the living room a shelf should be an ideal part of the interior. All materials are suitable for such conditions, except chipboard, which looks too budget-friendly.
There are no requirements at all in the bedroom - this is a personal space, you can even put chipboard in it if it completely suits you.
In the bedroom interior
But in the case of a nursery, the requirements for a shelf are no less strict than in the kitchen - but they are of a different kind.
The following factors need to be taken into account:
- Safety . In the case of a nursery - first of all. The shelf should not have sharp corners; it is better to mount it on reliable brackets away from the child’s bed. It will not be possible to place the child above the height level (it is harmful for the eyes to watch TV from bottom to top), so you need to make sure that it does not harm him in any way.
- Aesthetics . You need to coordinate the beauty of the shelf first of all with the small inhabitant of the room. He might like chipboard with a brightly colored coating that an adult would find tacky. Or perhaps he will want to see cartoon animals or fish on the surface.
It is clear that a metal shelf is suitable only if it has rounded smooth lines, and glass, most likely, will not be suitable at all, unless you take an expensive reinforced one.
Loft style
Advice It is worth placing additional shelves around the TV in the nursery - the child will definitely find something to put on them. From a collection of construction sets to your favorite plush toys.
In all rooms, TVs perform different tasks, therefore the requirements for shelves are slightly different:
- Kitchen. Here the TV most often acts as a background, under which the cook tinkers with the food, only occasionally glancing at the screen. In such conditions, the TV should be small, and the shelf should be such that it takes up as little usable space as possible. It would be ideal to make it corner, perhaps above eye level, so that you can place something else underneath it. No special aesthetic refinements are needed.
In the interior of the kitchen
- Living room . Here the TV often becomes the center of the interior - it stands on a shelf on the wall, with a sofa in front of it. The whole family gathers here to watch an interesting show; guests who came to watch the film sit in front of it. Therefore, it itself should be large, and the shelf should be wide, thick, preferably on brackets. Here, aesthetic delights are welcome, especially if the style of the furnishings accepts them.
- Bedroom . TV is rarely installed here, since people rarely spend more time in the bedroom than is needed for direct sleep. Therefore, if you decide to install it, there is no general advice. The main thing is that he doesn’t get out of it.
- Children's room A separate TV for a child so that he can watch cartoons should not be too expensive or heavy - during the game it can be dropped, hit by an elbow, or shaken. An average TV on a low shelf is the best solution. Aesthetic delights - according to the baby's taste.
In the interior of a children's room
When the decision is made, all that remains is to place the TV on the wall without violating the operating rules.
lSafety
In order not to spoil your eyesight, you need to follow simple rules when placing the TV:
- Range . The distance between a person sitting on the sofa (or lying in bed) and the TV should be at least two meters, otherwise the eyes will strain, which is harmful.
- Height . It is believed that the optimal height is at eye level of the person looking at the screen. Therefore, the easiest way to determine how to hang a TV is to sit on the sofa (or lie on the bed), close your eyes, and then open them, looking at the wall. The point where your gaze stops is where the top third of the screen should fall. Therefore, in a children's room, the TV should be hung low - it is harmful for a child to raise his head.
- Shadow . The TV should not be placed in front of a window. During daylight hours, the screen will glare, your eyes will strain, and this is harmful. The only exception is if the window has very thick curtains that block almost all the light.
Non-standard solution for installing a TV
The exception is TV in the kitchen, which is not so much watched as listened to. But if your kitchen doubles as a living room, and you like to watch the news while eating, it’s better to put it downstairs, at eye level.
And in order not to say goodbye to expensive equipment too early, the rules are different.
You cannot hang the TV in the following places:
- Above heating devices. This includes radiators, a real fireplace, and a stove. Heat has a bad effect on the inside of the TV and can damage the shelf if it is not made of metal.
- In small niches. Placing the TV in a niche is a good solution, but only if there is at least twenty centimeters on each side from its edges to the edges of the niche. Otherwise, ventilation will be impaired, the heat generated by the TV itself will stagnate and negatively affect it.
- On fragile walls. This is especially true for large plasma TVs, which can weigh up to thirty kilograms - they can only be placed on a solid brick or concrete wall.
Otherwise, you can place the TV and the shelf underneath it according to your own taste - in a corner, in the center of the composition, in a large niche, in the end wall...
VIDEO: How to make a shelf with your own hands?
TV shelf
Do it yourself
Making a glass shelf
It is not necessary to use wood to make wall shelves, because durable tempered glass is also suitable for this purpose. It is used in the manufacture of various furniture in the house, for example, a dining table, desk or coffee table. A tabletop for the bar counter is also created from tempered glass. This glass is so strong that it can handle large weights of electronics or household appliances.
Glass shelves
Note! The tempered glass shelf can support not only the weight of a TV, but also a stereo system with a DVD player. In addition, such shelves can be angular or straight, and the appearance of such models is quite light.
Glass shelves for TV
Modern technologies make it possible to produce not only transparent glass shelves, but also colored ones - they are decorated with different patterns or covered with printed photos with beautiful images. But making such a shelf yourself is much more difficult than, for example, a wall-mounted shelf made of wood. The best option would be to purchase a glass blank with processed edges. If all the necessary holes are made in the tempered glass, then fixing it is not so difficult.
Advice on work from a specialist
After the work is completed, shortcomings and problems appear. The most popular of them are commented on by experts:
- Detachment of putty. Reason: quick and poor quality repairs.
- Coating a raw sheet of drywall with putty. The reason for this problem is that the gypsum sheet weakens during the bonding period with the newly applied putty. To fix this is quite simple, just clean the areas that have already fallen off and putty the area again.
- Grease stains on plasterboard sheets. Grease stains cannot be removed with anything. To correct the problem, remove the stains until bare plaster appears.
A wall for a TV is an interesting proposal, especially if the niche is made by yourself. This is not just an original curiosity, but also a skillful distribution of space. It takes little time and expense to make a piece of furniture.
Making a hanging shelf
If we consider this design from the functional side, then it is not very suitable for installing a TV. This is due to the fact that hanging shelves provide for the use of additional items . The work of making a hanging shelf can be roughly divided into stages.
Hanging shelf diagram
- Drill the necessary holes in the ceiling, where plastic dowels will then be inserted and strong hooks will be installed. A TV shelf made of wood, metal or other materials is suspended from these fasteners. If necessary, the shelf can be strengthened with an additional plate.
- Place the TV on the finished shelf. This must be done in such a way that the center of gravity of the product falls in the middle of the shelf. Thanks to the successful distribution of weight, the TV will stand level and not warp.
- Install an additional fastener to protect your expensive TV from falling. The mount can be located in the center or at the back of the TV.
How to hang a TV on the wall
Hanging shelf can be used to store books
The design of hanging shelves is very complex, and its manufacture also requires skills in working with wood and metal. Therefore, it is easier to buy a finished product in a store and then attach it.
Why drywall?
The use of plasterboard when creating shelves is justified by the fact that few materials can be so functional and, moreover, safe for health. Drywall is made from natural materials. Its basis is gypsum, which is tightly pressed on both sides with cardboard. With its help you can realize almost any design idea.
This product has many advantages:
fire resistance;
the ability to create sound insulation in the room;
does not cause allergic reactions and is safe for surrounding people;
ease of installation;
can be processed without much effort
This is especially important when cutting a piece of material;
is able to absorb moisture and release it, thereby creating pleasant climatic conditions in the room. Along with its advantages, drywall has its own specific disadvantages:
Along with its advantages, drywall has its own specific disadvantages:
under the influence of excessive humidity, the material is subject to deformation;
if dropped or hit on the surface, damage to the structure may occur;
Care must be taken during installation. Creating complex geometric structures can deform the product. It is recommended to strengthen plasterboard shelves using a mortgage, which is often made from a sheet of plywood
It is recommended to strengthen plasterboard shelves using an embed, which is often made from a sheet of plywood.
This is especially important in cases where, after creating the shelf, heavy household appliances will be placed on it. To create a more aesthetic appearance, the finished structure is coated with any of the selected paints and varnishes.
You need to pay close attention to the seams and work them with putty material. The seams in such work are covered with tape, and then a layer of putty is applied so that the entire surface looks like a single whole.
To create a more aesthetic appearance, the finished structure is coated with any of the selected paints and varnishes. You need to pay close attention to the seams and work them with putty material. The seams in such work are covered with tape, and then a layer of putty is applied so that the entire surface looks like a single whole.
If the putty work is not done efficiently, the shelf will lose its attractiveness.
