Expert: Jamie Yocono - 10/12/2009

Question
My husband and I just bought a 40" flat screen TV. Instead of spending big bucks on a cheaply made new console, I purchased a well-made armoire base at a discount furniture store. It has a bow-front and two drawers. My question is how can I convert one drawer into a component compartment? I would like to have the front of the drawer drop down so the dvd player could be accessed, but since the drawer front is bowed, I'm not sure how to do this.

Another idea I have is to remove the entire back panel of the piece to have access from the back (since the wires, etc. will be hidden by the front), but I don't think the remote control would work through the drawer fronts.

I am open to any ideas you may have. Thank you for your time.

Vicki

Answer
Hi Vicki,

It's a fairly common thing to want to change an armoire to a TV cabinet. Because the remote won't work through solid wood (doors or drawer faces), you will need to figure out a way to work around this. Most people get around this in one of several ways - you can switch to glass doors, so the remote works on the component behind the glass. Or you can change the drawer so the drawer face drops down, thus exposing the component. Or some people simple place the component in the cabinet cavity near the TV, so if the doors are open so when you watch TV, the component will be right there, and you'll be able to control it.

So it seems like the first two suggestions are the ones you might need help with - glass doors, or drop down drawer fronts.  While both things aren't "simple" to accomplish, they're not terribly difficult, either. That's assuming you have access to someone that works with wood - whether it's you, or a handyman.

Here is a drawer slide that allows the front to flip down, thus giving you access to the component inside: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1217&filter=computer%20drawer

Although this drawer slide is made for a computer, many people use them on TV components.

As far as changing your door to add a glass panel, there are a couple of places where you can order a set of new doors. Here's a link to custom doors on that same site: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=5986

Rockler Woodworking is a big and well-known woodworking supply. While it's not the first place I go for parts, they DO have a great selection, so it offers you "one stop" shopping.

There are other places that you can find these components, so if there's something about the stuff hardware doesn't perfectly fit your needs, then look around for an alternative. At least now you have the vocabulary with which to start your search.

Another thing that dawned on me - if there is a solid panel just below the drawer opening, instead of changing the drawer front, you could possibly just remove the drawer and place the component right in that opening. That might be a very simple solution to your problem - just eliminate the drawer altogether.

Finally, it's an excellent idea to remove the back, so that you can rout your cords and wires. Removing the back also allows some air flow, to keep everything cool. I highly recommend it.

OK, I hope this helps. Feel free to write back if you have any other questions. Good luck!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com