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Furniture with hidden storage is my favorite!
Last year, I was on the hunt for a new TV stand — specifically, something that had doors or drawers for extra storage. I searched online and in thrift stores for weeks but didn’t have much luck finding anything I liked within my budget.
Then, last summer we made the trip out to Final Cut, an Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie warehouse sale. I ended up scoring this gorgeous but simple wood media console for just $80, along with a few other pieces!
This console was almost exactly what I was looking for. Now, I just needed to figure out how to add storage to it. My first thought was to throw some baskets in the cubbies and call it a day, but I knew that wasn’t going to be something I loved for very long.
So, like most things in my home, I was going to have to come up with a DIY for this media console. Good thing I love doing projects!
After some brainstorming, I decided to create removable covers for each cubby. This would allow easy access for storage and ensure that the console itself wouldn’t be damaged by screwing in door hinges into the thin wood.
This is a super simple and inexpensive DIY that you can customize to any cabinet or console you may have, so let’s get this project started!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
SQUARE DOWEL RODS | BURLAP FABRIC | PAINT | FOAM BRUSH | STAPLE GUN | HOT GLUE GUN | SAW
HOW TO MAKE IT
- Measure the height and width of each cubby.
My TV stand has three 14x19in storage spaces. The actual measurements were a little over 14x19in, but I rounded down to leave a few centimeters for the fabric that will be wrapped around the frame. - Once you have your measurements, pick up your dowel rods, burlap fabric and paint. For my project, I needed six 0.5x36in square dowel rods and two yards of white burlap fabric.
- Cut the dowels to create the frame.
Make sure to take into account the width of the dowel when measuring and cutting. Before making multiple frames, test one in the space to make sure it fits. Remember you want to leave a small space so that your frame will fit snug in the cubby with the fabric wrapped around it. - Sand the dowels if needed and start putting the frame together. I used wood glue and then also stapled the dowels together to make them extra secure. Again, double check your frame is the perfect size by testing it in the console.
- Now we can start working with the burlap!
Grab one of your frames and use it to trace and cut out the fabric. Make sure to leave extra length around the edges so you can wrap it around the frame later on. - Since burlap only comes in a few colors, I bought the lightest color they had available at the craft store and created a stain to get it closer to the color I wanted.
To make the stain, I mixed a few beige and brown acrylic paints with a little bit of water and dabbed it into the burlap with a foam brush. Lay or hang the pieces to dry. - Once the burlap is dry, you can iron out any wrinkles if needed.
- With the burlap dried and ironed, start wrapping it around your wood dowel frame. Use a staple gun and make sure to pull the fabric taut to prevent any sagging later on.
I did notice after a couple of days where it looked like the fabric was puckering a little on the edges likely due to how far my staples were spaced. If this happens just go back in-between the staples and add some hot glue. - Place the finished frames in your console and admire your work!
