How to Make a Built-In Hidden Entertainment Center

If you have an empty alcove, you can make an entertainment center that can be easily hidden from view. The unit will be made from plywood and stock kitchen cabinets from you local home improvement store. With a few finishing touches, the unit will look like a built-in entertainment center.

Tools and Materials Needed

• Stock cabinets
• Nail gun
• Cabinet clamp
• Drill
• Filler strips
• Circular saw
• Tape measure
• Plywood
• Poplar
• Self-centering drill bit
• Wood glue
• Edge banding
• Sand paper
• Trim strips
• Wood molding
• Nails
• Screws
• 1x2 lumber
• Shelf pins
• Plastic template
• Clamp on straight edge

Step 1—Sketch the Unit

Take measurements of the alcove. These measurements will guide you in selecting the cabinets that you purchase from your local home improvement store. Using a piece of graph paper, sketch out the unit. Graph paper will allow you to sketch the unit to scale.

Step 2—Assemble Cabinets

Once you have taken the measurements and purchased the cabinets, you can attach them to one another. First, you will need to clamp them together and then screw the cabinets together. Depending on the width of the alcove, you may have to use filler strips on the sides of the cabinets.

You should also cut holes in the back of the cabinets so that you can access power outlets. Boring holes into the sides of the cabinets will also allow you to move wires and cords wherever you like. 

Step 3—Install the Countertop

You will first need to measure for the countertop. You should measure from wall to wall to get the best fit. 

The best way to cut the plywood is with a circular saw. You should then cut a piece of 1x8 poplar to hide the rough edge of the plywood. The poplar should be cut with a notch to overhang the wall. You will then use a nail gun to secure the poplar and plywood countertop to the base cabinets. 

Step 4—Configure Upper Portion of the Unit

You will cut the plywood to form the top, sides and shelves of the unit.

Lay the wood flat on the work surface.  Clamp a straight edge to the plywood. Cut the wood with a circular saw along the straight edge.  This cabinet may have three or four identical pieces of wood that will make up the top portion of the cabinet.  You will, therefore, need to cut two or three additional pieces identical to the first. 

You can then cut the shelves.  Determine how many shelves you want in each of the sections.  Lay the wood on the work surface, clamp with a straight edge and cut the shelves with a circular saw.    

Since you are going to be adding shelves to the upper portion of the unit, you have to make holes for the pins that will be supporting the shelves. It is best to use a plastic clamp on template. The template is lined with pre-drilled holes that you will follow to drill pin holes on every side of the unit. Before drilling, create a baseline so that all the holes start at the same place. Make sure that you don’t drill through the wood. You should only drill about 2/3 of the way in. 

Step 5—Finish the Woodwork

Add edge banding to any rough edges of the shelves. You will probably have to trim the banding. Adding a piece of solid 1x2 lumber to the edges of the shelves will make them look larger and will also make for a more sturdy shelf. 

Step 6—Assemble the Unit

Using wood glue and the nail gun, you will attach all of the single pieces of wood to make the upper part of the cabinet. You will set the cabinets on top of the countertop and secure in place with screws. 

Step 7—Add the Finishing Touches

Place a trim strip along the front of the shelf unit and add molding to the outside edge of the unit. The molding will have to be cut with a miter saw so that the corners meet at an angle.

Set the drawers and shelves in place. Because this is a hidden cabinet, you will want to mount cabinet doors to conceal the items on the shelves of the upper portion of the cabinet.  Home improvement stores may offer a variety of doors, however, for this type of cabinet, IKEA will offer the largest selection of doors.  Many of the items that they sell are constructed in this same manner.  You can simply walk into the store or browse their catalog to find a set of doors that will fit into the pin holes and securely mount with included hardware.  They offer doors in various wood finishes as well as glass and decorative designs. 

That’s it. You have created a beautiful entertainment center that is hidden away in an empty alcove.