Don't Throw Away That Old TV Cabinet! Here's What I Made Instead
From Outdated Entertainment Center to French-Inspired Accent Cabinet
One of my favorite things about thrift shopping is seeing possibilities where others see something headed for the landfill.
That was exactly the case with this old TV cabinet.
When I first spotted it at a thrift store, I was drawn to its solid construction and classic proportions. My original plan was to restore the wood, hoping a little sanding would reveal a beautiful finish hiding underneath.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case.
After sanding a section of the cabinet, it became obvious that restoring the wood wasn't going to produce the look I wanted. Instead of forcing Plan A, I decided to head in a completely different direction—and I'm so glad I did.
Starting the Transformation
The first step was removing the dated wheels and giving the cabinet a closer inspection.
After testing the finish by sanding, I realized this piece would be much better suited for paint than for a natural wood restoration.
Sometimes furniture has a way of telling you what it wants to become!
A New Vision
I already had a can of black spray paint in my workshop, so I decided to give the cabinet an elegant new look.
To create the French-inspired design on the front, I designed a custom Cricut stencil featuring the word "Boulangerie," which is the French word for bakery.
Using DIY Paint in White Swan, I stenciled the lettering onto the cabinet. I love using DIY Paint for projects like this because its heavily pigmented, clay-based formula produces crisp, clean results.
That simple stencil completely changed the personality of the piece.
Giving Old Furniture Parts a Second Life
Years ago, I disassembled a coffee table from our family room.
Before getting rid of it, I saved the Queen Anne legs, thinking they might come in handy someday.
This cabinet turned out to be the perfect project.
Adding those graceful legs completely changed the proportions of the cabinet, giving it a lighter, more refined appearance and transforming it from an outdated TV cabinet into an elegant accent piece.
A Small Design Change
Originally, I planned to use decorative stenciled hardware that I created with my Cricut to coordinate with the cabinet front.
After temporarily installing the hardware, however, I realized it competed with the "Boulangerie" design instead of complementing it.
Sometimes the best design decision is knowing when to simplify.
I chose to install vintage brass knobs that I had removed from a previous project and was holding for just the right time, placing them below the typography on the cabinet front rather than in the midst of it. I'm convinced now that it was the right choice.
The Finishing Touch
The final addition was a custom wood top built out of pieces from the side of my son's THIS END UP dresser glued side-by-side. The wood top added warmth and created a beautiful contrast against the black cabinet.
It was the finishing touch that pulled the entire project together.
Looking at it today, it's hard to believe this elegant accent cabinet began life as an outdated television cabinet.
Lessons Learned
This project reminded me of a few things:
- Don't be afraid to change your original plan.
- Save quality furniture parts—you never know when you'll need them.
- Sometimes less really is more when it comes to decorative details.
- A custom stencil can completely transform an ordinary piece of furniture.
Products & Materials Used
- Black spray paint
- DIY Paint – White Swan (for the stencil)
- Cricut cutting machine
- Custom Cricut stencil
- Repurposed vintage brass cabinet hardware
- Repurposed Queen Anne legs
- Custom wood tabletop
Final Thoughts
One of the things I love most about furniture upcycling is that every project is a chance to see something ordinary in a new way.
This old TV cabinet didn't become the piece I originally imagined.
It became something even better.
That's one of the reasons I enjoy sharing these projects here on Amy's Upcycling Adventures. My hope is that they inspire you to look at old furniture a little differently and imagine what it might become with a bit of creativity and a willingness to change plans along the way.