How to Build a DIY TV Lift Cabinet {with Plans!}

This DIY TV Lift Cabinet with birch plywood and pine details is an easy build project that is perfect for watching TV outdoors in the spring, summer and fall! Customize it for a modern elevated look using my plans! Below you’ll find a general idea of how I made this but if you’d like a super detailed building plan, you can get my building plan here:

GET THE FULL BUILDING PLAN NOW!

Hundreds of people have used my plan to build this so you won’t regret making your own!

A TV playing a football game coming out of the top of a black cabinet with black trim on an outdoor paver patio with the words diy tv lift cabinet with plans in a pink banner at the bottom.

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Why you’ll love this project

Beginner Friendly: You are just building a simple box for this tv lift cabinet so it is an easy build for beginner DIY’ers.
Cost Friendly: Making your own hidden tv cabinet is a great way to save money since buying one of these is quite expensive (like $1000’s of dollars!)…even though it is super easy to make!
Versatile: I decided to use this popup tv cabinet outside so my husband could watch his sports outdoors. But it can also be used at the end of a bed, in the garage, or anywhere else you want to try it out. Plus, adding the wheels makes sure it is super easy to move.

Why I’m doing this project

I initially made this project for my husband as a birthday gift and he loved it! So it’s a great gift idea for any occasion 🙂

I’ve also always had this weird fascination with anything automated & hidden!

Materials Needed

Plywood
Motorized TV Lift : I chose to use this particular TV lift because it had great reviews and the price was right for my project.
Wood Trim
Paint or Stain

Tools Needed

Drill
Nail Gun
Hole bit

Variations/ Adaptations

Add Legs: Want to make it more like furniture? Try adding legs instead of caster wheels or no legs at all.
Make one to sit at the end of a bed frame.
Use a Swivel Mount
Make yours for a larger tv (mine is made for a 50″ tv)
Customize the design on the front…make it your own!
Add handles to easily move it.

How to Build a DIY TV Lift Cabinet

Image one has two sheets of wood in the shape of an "L". Image two has the beginnings of a box being built out of the wood with a back, bottom and sides, but no front or top.

Image 3 shows a black motorized lift inside the partially built box and image 4 shoes a TV being attached to that lift by a person.

Image 5 shows a person in front of the mounted TV and image 6 shows the TV lowered inside the wooden box.

Image 7 shows the wooden box now with the front applied and the TV sticking out of the top of the box. Image 8 shows the wooden box being painted black by a person with a small roller.

Image 9 shows a woman applying details to the front of the TV box and painting them black and image 10 shows the finished black TV cabinet on a paver patio with the TV sticking out of the top of the box.

Tips

Measure the diagonals to make sure the box is square.
Use clamps to make sure all joints are tight.
Check all measurements before attaching.

FAQ

Should I cover this in bad weather?

Yes, we typically keep ours outside from April to October and we live in the Philadelphia, PA area. We keep it covered using a grill cover during that timeframe and sit it under our covered pergola. You can find it here!

But, we’ve accidentally left it out in torrential downpours numerous times and the grill covered kept it completely free of water damage.

Do I have to buy a outdoor tv for the lift?

We have been using a regular Vizio tv and as of the date of this post, it’s 3 years old and still working great!

Does it tip over with the wheels?

No, it doesn’t but it can in strong winds. When its a bit breezy outside, we normally prop something behind it. If its not on wheels, you’re probably fine though.