Bookcase with a hidden TV compartment

My apartment has an open plan living area with a salon, dining table and kitchen. To keep the small space from feeling crowded, I wanted to leave the walls mostly empty, but I also needed some storage and a place to put the TV. This bookcase is what I came up with. It’s pretty big (240cm/8ft high, 120cm/4ft wide) but the open sections make sure it doesn’t feel heavy. It allows me to display plenty of books and plants while giving me space to tuck away everyday items I prefer to keep out of view. It acts as a room divider (separating the salon from the rest of the room) but the open sections make sure there is still some connection. And best of all: the TV is hidden away behind a set of doors.

The build is straightforward. It’s a good choice if you want to tackle a first “big project” that produces a finished piece of furniture. The only tools you need are a track saw, a drill and a sander. The joints are made with simple dowels, and the materials are easy to source. I used birch plywood for the frame, leaving the edges exposed, and painted MDF for the doors. The design also works well with other material combinations if you’d like to adapt it to your own style. The central compartment measures 116 × 73cm, large enough to fit most TVs up to 55”.

The plans contain step-by-step instructions and a list of materials. We have also indicated opportunities for customizing the design to your own liking.