How do I Hide a New TV in an Old House?

Cleverly disguise modern electronics using cabinets or closets.

Old houses, though quaint and elegant, do not always lend themselves to more up-to-date aesthetic objects such as CD players or TVs. To maintain the home's older look and feel, these items should be placed in locations where, when not in use, they will be hidden away. Wall closets with sliding doors can hide televisions when not in use, or slim, plasma TVs can be bolted to the wall and disguised with a wooden cover. The cover has doors that open when the TV is in use.

Things You'll Need

• 2-inch-wide roll of cord strapping
• Stud finder
• 3-inch-long, 1/4-inch-wide galvanized screws
• 1/4-inch washers
• Screw gun
• TV stand
• TV cabinet
• TV wall mount
• TV cover

Instructions

1. Open the sliding closet doors and place a stand on the floor inside the closet. Be sure that the stand is strong enough to hold the television. Place the TV on the stand, and run an extension cord from the TV to the nearest outlet. Also run the satellite/coaxial cable to the TV. In earthquake areas, place cord strapping around the top and bottom of the TV, and secure the strapping through the drywall to the wall studs with 3-inch-long, 1/4-inch-wide galvanized screws, and 1/4-inch washers. Run a stud finder along the back wall to find the center of the studs on each side of the TV. Screw through the straps into the studs, placing the washers between the screw head and straps.

2. Place the TV cabinet in the desired location. Open the doors on its front, and carefully insert the television. Run the power and satellite/coaxial cable out of the holes in the back of the cabinet so that they reach over to the receptacle/cable box. If the cabinet is too bulky or takes up space, attach the TV to the wall and install a cover over it. TV cabinets come in many sizes and colors, so it is easy to purchase one that matches the rest of your home's design. The cabinets are also sturdy are large enough for older TVs; many have drawers in the front that can be used for extra storage.

3. Bolt the TV wall mount to the wall studs, and attach the TV to the wall mount---carefully follow the wall mount instructions. Install a TV cover over the television; this is also bolted to the wall. The TV covers are made of different types of wood, and have two doors on the front that open from the center. Other types of TV covers have singular doors that have oil paintings printed on their front. They can also be designed to slide down over the TV screen via a rolling mechanism attached to the top of the cover's wooden frame. Covers help create a certain design aesthetic but also hide expensive TVs, which aids in home security.

Tips & Warnings

• Wall mounts will come with all necessary bolts and screws needed for installation.

• Wooden TV covers (for flat-screen TVs that hang on the wall) are available in different colors, some of which are designed to emulate antique furniture.

• If moving older TVs, be careful as they are usually very heavy.

References

• Home Entertainment: Flat-Panel TV Mounts, Lifts, Covers, and Hide-Aways