IKEA TV and Entertainment Center Hacks

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Right here, we'll explore some of the best IKEA entertainment center hacks that will help you design a beautiful and practical space for all your Netflix-and-chill needs. 

We have some ingenious IKEA hacks like this built-in TV wall, a sprawling bookshelf TV console that's a main focal point of the room to a small TV stand that takes up hardly any space.

Whether you prefer large entertainment centers with plenty of storage, to a simple minimal TV stand, we have DIY projects to inspire you to create the best entertainment center for your space.      

IKEA BESTÅ entertainment centers

The IKEA BESTÅ cabinets are a popular choice for entertainment centers as the modular system allows for customization options to create the entertainment center to best meet your needs.

You can combine frames, shelves, legs, and doors in various ways to achieve a unique look. A fabulous combination for a BESTÅ TV unit is to use a BESTÅ TV bench, with NANNARP legs, and three doors to create a sleek entertainment center for under $300.

But, on IKEA Hackers, there is more than one way to make a media console. See our selection of BESTÅ entertainment center hacks for more ideas.

Mid Century Modern Besta Media Center

Mid Century Modern Besta Media Center

Materials: Besta Shelf unit/height extension units. 1 single and 1 double. In need of a mid century modern style media center to match the rest of my home but at…

BESTÅ shelf unit cranked up to 11

BESTÅ shelf unit cranked up to 11

Materials: BESTÅ Shelf unit/height extension unit (60x40x64 cm) We wanted something to cleanly store away all of the cables and clutter from our AV equipment, but we were uninspired by…

BESTA bookshelf speaker box enclosure

BESTA bookshelf speaker box enclosure

Materials: BESTA shelf unit/height extension (x2). I went with this one, as it had the closed back and was cheaper then the other one IKEA sells by $20. BESTA VASSBO…

BESTA built in with stone wall for TV

BESTA built in with stone wall for TV

Materials: Besta Shelves, Besta TV unit, Besta Vassbo Inspired by Big Besta Built-ins and Papa Was a… Besta’ Stone!. I first created a base using 2×4 and some foam (for…

IKEA HEMNES series

The IKEA HEMNES is one of the more expensive ranges at IKEA as it features a solid wood construction. This series offers a TV unit already, so you're off to a good start in customising the HEMNES. A popular combination is to flank the TV unit with the HEMNES bookcases for a media center with plenty of storage.

But that can be a tad bland, so scroll on for more ideas on making your HEMNES entertainment center a lot more interesting.

KALLAX as TV consoles

The KALLAX series is known for its minimalist, square design. And one of the most regularly hacked pieces of IKEA furniture. If you're looking for a simple yet functional TV stand design, look no further than the KALLAX. 

IKEA used to carry a KALLAX TV unit (similar to the LAPPLAND) with space at the center of the frame for a TV. That sadly is discontinued, but you can still hack a similar TV stand using the standard KALLAX shelving unit. 

Besides that, there are so many ways to use the KALLAX. Stack two units horizontally or vertically, depending on your room layout, to create a modern and airy entertainment center. Additionally, you can accessorize the KALLAX with doors, drawers, or inserts to increase storage options and add visual interest.

IKEA kitchen cabinets for media storage

Not expecting to see the IKEA kitchen series on this list?

The SEKTION or METOD range is so versatile, you can actually use them as living room storage, and they won't look out of place. The key is to pick the right kitchen cabinet frames to fit its purpose as a TV stand.

To make a TV stand, the frame of choice is the fridge top cabinet, which carries a slimmer profile than most kitchen cabinets. Flip the door around so it opens downward and wrap the frame in wood for an excellent wall-mounted media console.  

BILLY Bookcase Entertainment Centers

The IKEA BILLY bookcase can also be an excellent choice for a media center. With its flexible shelving system, the BILLY bookshelf offers ample storage for your media and electronic devices.

It's not too expensive which means you can add as many bookcases as needed. And from there easily make a built-in entertainment center for a large TV, at a fraction of the cost of a custom built-in media unit.

LACK shelves for simple TV stands

Not to be overlooked is the modest IKEA LACK series. The tall IKEA LACK TV unit is the cheapest TV stand you can find on IKEA, while its sleeker brother, is so hackable and readily morphs into a handsome piece of furniture.

View all our LACK TV stand hacks

What style of IKEA entertainment center?

IKEA furniture is so versatile you can literally create any style of TV stands and media consoles that you like. From Farmhouse to Mid-Century-Modern to Minimalist, there's an IKEA hack to help you achieve the style you desire.

1. Built-in Look

A great IKEA hack for an entertainment center is to create a built-in look by using IKEA kitchen cabinets. Assemble the cabinets according to IKEA instructions and then put them in place. Add trim to the sides and tops to achieve a seamless built-in appearance.

View more built-in entertainment center hacks.

2. Rustic Industrial

A popular IKEA item to use to achieve the industrial look is the IKEA VITTSJÖ. You can add wooden crates or distressed wood paneling as your own personal touch to give it a more rustic feel.

View more rustic industrial entertainment center

3. Farmhouse style

Farmhouse-style entertainment centers often require a creative mix of IKEA units and your own DIY touches. Start with the IKEA storage unit of your choice like the BESTÅ unit or HEMNES. Then add wooden beams, shiplap, or barn-style doors as accents. You can also paint the cabinet units in a light color or add a distressed finish to give it that authentic farmhouse aesthetic.

4. Mid-Century Modern

To achieve the look of a Mid-Century Modern TV stand, the easiest DIY is to replace some furniture legs and attach era-appropriate door pulls, like in this IKEA STOCKHOLM hack that made it totally un-IKEA.

5. Floating TV stand

Optimize space while keeping a neat and tidy look by floating your TV or TV stand. Install BESTÅ unit to the wall to create a wall-mounted minimalist TV stand. Or you can even float your TV by mounting it to IKEA posts like the ELVARLI (or the discontinued STOLMEN) to lift your TV off the floor.

6. Hidden TV hack

Hide your TV behind lift-top doors or make it disappear altogether with the use of a projector.

All our TV and Media Furniture Hacks

Besta plywood playroom storage hack

Besta plywood playroom storage hack

Materials: Besta cupboard (cm)- 128 high x 120 wide; Besta 128 x 60, Besta TV unit 120 wide We needed to create additional playroom storage and Besta units were a perfect fit for our space and toy boxes. We designed lots of easy to reach storage and a wide display…

Bestå goes Arabesque

Bestå goes Arabesque

I was trying to find a TV stand that would be 160x50x50 cm. The ones that I found were either far too pricey or would need to have doors open to control the AV receiver. And less than 50 cm deep. I first planned to hack Expedit but saw in…

Solid TV Stand from LAGAN countertop

Solid TV Stand from LAGAN countertop

Materials: LAGAN, CAPITA Let’s start with the bad news first. I appear to have gotten hold of one of the last Lagan kitchen worktops sold, because they are now discontinued, and have been replaced by the identical Hammarp, at nearly twice the price. But, there is now a reasonably priced…

Besta Wall Unit Hack

Besta Wall Unit Hack

Materials: BESTA, INREDA I started by assembling 2 Besta floor cabinets and attached them together. I installed handles and door catches. Next I built a base to raise them off the ground and mounted the cabinets. I cut a piece of maple for the countertop and attached trim, stained and…

BESTA HiFi shelf

BESTA HiFi shelf

Simple hack. It’s a single unit of BESTA shelf unit with doors (Width: 120 cm, Depth: 40 cm, Height: 64 cm) plus – a horizontal white board on it (Width: 170 cm, Depth: 60 cm) – a vertical white board at right to maintain the horizontal one (Depth: 60 cm,…

Ikea PS 2012 locker redesigned as TV-multimedia Cabinet

Ikea PS 2012 locker redesigned as TV-multimedia Cabinet

Even before the assembly of the locker: – Cut the 4 feet about 9,6 cm to decrease the height (if necessary) – Dry the gates using aceton – Remove the lock on each door – Sand the externals aspects of the doors (Sandpaper 180) – Paint the doors using acrylic…

TV Entertainment Unit for Electronics

TV Entertainment Unit for Electronics

Built in style (but slide out removable) TOBO entertainment unit heavily modified, with a (cut down) PRAGEL countertop. We used to have all out Home theater electronics in a deep double wide 24″ cabinet with heavy projection tube TV above. The A/V etc wiring was a nightmare since there was…

Ikea Lack TV Stand Makeover

Ikea Lack TV Stand Makeover

The standard Lack TV stand we’ve had for many years was still going strong. Too strong, because even though it was the perfect size for our living room, I had grown tired of the boring standard brown finish. With the use of pine boards, a lot of paint and some…

Entertainment Center Dubs as Children’s Play Center

Entertainment Center Dubs as Children’s Play Center

I created this cabinet debauchery by mounting a small upper Besta cabinet (meant to be a lower cabinet with legs) to my wall and affixing caster wheels to two free rolling “hinged” Expedit cabinets (meant to be tall vertical shelving units) below. By leaving the backs of the cabinets open,…

Stylish TV audio cabinet

Stylish TV audio cabinet

Easy does it…just build your Besta cabinet following the instructions. Then make sure you have some nice wooden layers…we used acacia wood. All you need is three boards that fit well…glue them for better support and you have a fancy TV cabinet which also houses all your audio equipment out…

Expedit Rotating TV Hack

Expedit Rotating TV Hack

I wanted to divide a friend’s studio space using a large bookshelf. The Expedit was an ideal candidate except that I needed to figure out how she could watch TV in her bed as well as her living area with the TV mounted on the shelving unit. Originally I just…

Two Tier TV bench IKEA LACK hack

LACK “Double Decker” TV bench

Having just relocated from the UK to Singapore and purchased a new large screen TV I was looking for an economical TV bench to house all of my electronic equipment including a Blu-ray player, HTPC, PS3 and NAS whilst also providing good air circulation given the warm ambient temperatures in…

Expedit Wall-unit/TV, with built-in desk

Expedit Wall-unit/TV, with built-in desk

I moved into a fairly large bachelor apartment, and decided that after living as a single adult for about 14 years, it was time I broke down and bought a TV, instead of just using my computer monitor. The only problem was that I only have one appropriate wall on…

Elevated and concealed Besta media cabinet

Elevated and concealed Besta media cabinet

Materials: Besta TV-unit (180x40x32cm (70 7/8×15 3/4×12 5/8″)), Speaker fabric, MDF-board, Capita kitchen-legs, Inreda flip down fixture, magnetic lock, assorted screws, spray adhesive, staple gun, spray paint & angle brackets Description: I wanted a media-unit that could fit and hide all my equipment but still let signals and sound through, and…

UPPLEVA Television & Receiver Improvement

UPPLEVA Television & Receiver Improvement

For a lot of years I had a problem with my Television set because I need to use a separate Receiver unit to make the needed channels available. Unfortunately the TV itself does not provide an included Receiver so had to make use of both units. In our diningroom I…

TV bench from Lack shelf, hiding devices and wires

TV bench from Lack shelf, hiding devices and wires

I can’t stand to look at wires and ugly devices, and couldn’t find a TV bench to my needs. Therefore I transformed a Lack bench. The “doors” are made by stapling four layers of thin curtains to a frame made to fit inside the shelves. This makes it possible to…

Besta depth adapted (with updates on ventilation)

Besta depth adapted (with updates on ventilation)

My girlfriend and I were thinking of a solution to hide all the hifi, home cinema stuff that was present in the room and there was no direct solution until I came to this site and the Ikea site with the besta cabinets, of course.. Instead of letting all the…

Clean, Modern Expedit TV Stand

Clean, Modern Expedit TV Stand

Alright, so after using a microwave cart for months, the hunt was on for a quality TV stand. There were none at IKEA that fit the theme of my family room. So I after getting inspired by this. I decided to devote my Sunday to making my own. I bought…

OCD-Friendly Lack TV Hack

OCD-Friendly Lack TV Hack

I took most of my inspiration from the ‘OCD-Friendly Expedit TV Bench’ featured here. I wanted to find a way to clean up the nest of wires behind my Lack TV stand and give it a fresh look. I started off with replacing the legs with 6″ Capita legs. Then…

TV fits in Besta

TV fits in Besta

Materials: BESTA Description: I wanted to fit my TV into the Besta cabinet but the Besta has a divider in the middle of it. I sawed the divider in half (before installing, of course) so the cabinet is still stable – the top of the unit won’t sag over time. To hold…

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