DIY Network

Sliding Wall of Storage From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-112

For the Gilbert family, the primary need is storage to add more room for Greg's office and his toys. Therefore, the Wasted Spaces team is creating a sliding wall of storage in a vacant living room.

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	The "wasted space" in this home is an unused living room.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

Breaking Down the Project

• The empty space measures 10'-8' by 12'-10'. There is a triple window and a small single window. The room has hardwood floors and will be used as an office/entertainment area once completed.

• The Gilberts have a flat screen TV and associated video game components. The team will mount the TV in the middle of the 10'-8' wall and route all the wiring within it. They will then construct a set of bookshelves, the center portion of which will slide to cover the TV.

Materials:

8 pieces 3/4" birch plywood
2 pieces 1/4" birch plywood
1 piece 1/2" birch
3 cans of American walnut dark stain
6 "L" shaped brackets
1-1/2" wood screws
screws for mounting TV
cable line for the TV
paint rollers
cables for the TV
dark wood glue
rags
4 roller/trolley Cars
track
tapping block
rollers for the bottom of the shelves
small metal adjustable shelves
hammer
drill
chop saw
nail gun
tape measure
level
pencil
utility knife
nails

TV Wall Bracket Installation

1. Pry off the baseboard of the wall you are be working on.

2. Decide where the wall bracket for the flat screen TV will go (figure A).

3. Studs are placed 16" apart, so once you find one, it is easy to measure and locate others.

4. Mark the stud you want to use as a mount; then use a level to bring the mark up to your desired television height.

5. Drill the long screws of the fittings into the drywall (figure B). Place the bracket over the screws and slide them into place.

6. Place the bracket onto the back of the television (figure C) and do a dry fit to check for placement (figure D).

Tips:

• For plenty of support, be sure to attach the wall bracket to a stud. You don't want your flat screen TV crashing to the floor.

• The wall bracket should be placed where you want the center of the television screen to be.

• Be sure to read the owner's manual for your television, because every one will attach differently to the mount.

Hiding Cables

1. To hide the wiring for the video system in the wall, first score a rectangle into the wall in between two studs. Then, knock the scored area out with a hammer (figure E).

2. Score another rectangle near the floorboard that is below the first hole (figure F). Knock it out, and then feed the cables in through the top hole and pull them out of the bottom one (figure G).

3. Paint the area of the wall that will be seen after the unit is installed (figure H).

Tips:

• Look at the back of your television before deciding where the hole for the cables needs to go.

• Before busting through your wall, don't forget to check for wires, plumbing and gas lines.

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