DIY Network

Building Storage Units If you want to hide the TV and display more books, here are some great tips and projects to get your place organized and looking great. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-124

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Building a Media Cabinet

If you've been shopping for an entertainment center lately, you know how not entertaining the prices can be. Building your own, though, isn't difficult, and you can customize to fit your equipment. Here are some points to keep in mind.

• You can use MDF or plywood for construction. You can't stain MDF, but you can paint it. If you want to stain the cabinet, use plywood with a stain-grade exterior. One sheet give you enough lumber for the entire cabinet.

• With a hole saw, drill holes in the back panel of the cabinet to accommodate all the wiring and to help ventilate the components, which get hot.
  

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• Make the shelves so that they slide in and out. You can use rabbets on the sides and just slide the shelves in, or you can use drawer runners, which is better if you expect to move the shelf in and out frequently.

• If you use plywood, finish the exposed edges with tape that matches the wood, such as oak or cherry. You apply the tape with an ordinary household iron.

• If you decide to put the cabinet on rollers, be sure to buy good-quality rollers. Otherwise you could find yourself replacing them before very long.

• Still having trouble keeping all those wires and cables out of sight? Try using something as simple as a ponytail holder or an old telephone cord to wrap them up and tuck them away.

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