The empty spot above the TV is finally filled.
For a few years this wall looked like this:
Then we upgraded to a larger TV and spent some time hunting for the perfect media cabinet.
Eventually we found a $59 thrift-store cabinet that worked great and became the foundation for finishing the whole area.
It feels so much better to have something there—no more nekkid no more. (I’ve since hidden the power strip behind the cabinet.)
Dang it feels good to be a gangsta have a shelf there.
We debated several ideas for above the TV: framed art, a three-dimensional wall piece, a ready-made shelf, or making a shelf ourselves so we could control the length, depth, and brackets. Making our own won out because it allowed a perfect fit for the wall and matched the media cabinet below.
The project only took a few hours and cost around $20.
How we made it: we picked up a 10″ wide poplar board from Home Depot, cut it to length, and supported it with store-bought brackets. The finished shelf is 56″ long to pair nicely with the 60″ media cabinet below.
For color, we primed and painted both the board and the originally silver brackets white. We wanted the shelf to blend into the room rather than compete with the TV or other decor—similar to the white frames over the sofa and the white mirror over the desk.
We chose to mount the brackets on top of the shelf instead of underneath so the underside of the shelf stays clean and uninterrupted. This keeps the visual plane consistent and avoids brackets protruding into the TV’s sightline. It’s a style choice—both approaches work—but the top-mounted brackets felt right for our space.
To secure the brackets we used heavy-duty anchors rated to hold far more than we plan to place on the shelf. We also added construction adhesive to the bracket bases before screwing them into the face of the shelf for extra insurance. Many people attach brackets from above and that method holds very securely; you don’t need the brackets under the shelf for them to support it well. Let’s just say it could theoretically hold at least three Claras.
Also: could you resist licking these flowers, or is that just me? They’re ranunculus.
It’s a relief not to sit on the sofa and think, “ugh, this wall has been blank for years—someone GET ON THAT!” Now I can relax and enjoy the TV without that nagging thought.
What’s living on the new shelf? I leaned a few frames we already had and used poster putty at the bases to keep them steady. Inside the frames are:
- a “squeeze the day” page from an old catalog I’ve always liked
- a blue botanical print from Ikea
- a Polaroid of John and me from one of our book signings, matted with a cheerful yellow mat made from Clara’s art
Fresh flowers add a seasonal touch—until they fade in a week or two—and then I’ll replace them with paper flowers we like. It’s nice to have both real blooms and long-lasting options for texture and color.
Now I can sit back, put my feet up, and focus on whatever’s on the screen—zombies, white walkers, or dignified Brits, take your pick.
Believe it or not, this corner of the living room looked very different the day we moved in. It’s satisfying to see it go from blank and unfinished to a cohesive, styled focal point.
What do you have above your TV—a mirror, a plant, art, or something quirky like a little action figure to complement the shows you watch?