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Purchasing a picture frame TV can be costly, but building your own frame for an existing TV is both easy and inexpensive. With unlimited molding styles to choose from at your local home center or lumberyard, the frame’s look can quickly become a cohesive addition to any décor. I chose the modern look of a 1×2 board with a delicate inset cove molding to match the look of the built-in shelving around my TV and finished it with gold spray paint to complete a custom-built frame for my TV.
Steps for Making a DIY Decorative TV Frame
1. Measure the TV
Using a tape measure, measure the outside height and width of the tv. Add an 1/8″ to each dimension to allow a small amount of wiggle room when fitting the frame around the tv.
2. Cut the boards to length
Size the four sections of the 1×2 frame to length by mitering the boards on edge at opposing 45-degree angles, ensuring that the inside face of each piece is equal to an outer edge of the television.
3. Assemble the frame
Using a speed square to ensure a 90-degree angle at each corner, position the sections on the work surface to create the four sides of the frame. Apply glue to the mitered ends and secure the joints with 2-inch finish nails through each side of the connection. Carefully reposition the pieces as needed, knowing the mitered joints will continue to flex until the glue fully cures. Once all four joints are secured, double-check each with a speed square and then allow the glue to cure undisturbed.
4. Miter the trim
Using a miter saw, cut the cove molding at opposing 45-degree angles to fit inside each side of the frame. If a wall of the frame is longer than the length of molding, use a 45-degree angle to splice two pieces together to create the full length.
5. Install the trim
Apply glue to the backside of the first trim piece. Position the trim inside the frame a hair below the front face of the frame. Nail the molding into place using a pneumatic nailer and 5/8-inch nails. Repeat to install the remaining pieces.
6. Fill the nail holes
Once the glue dries, prep the frame for paint by filling the nail holes. Then, smooth filled holes and mitered joints with a sanding sponge.
7. Apply the finish
Apply a coat of primer and then two to three coats of spray paint to finish the frame, sanding between coats with 220-grit sandpaper.
8. Install the frame
Adhere several strips of adhesive velcro to the inside of the frame and to the outer edges of the TV. (Alternatively, you can also staple a vertical elastic strap to the backside of the frame about 8 inches from each end that can be pulled around the backside of the TV to hold it in place.) Lastly, place the frame around the TV.
Materials
- (2) 1x2x8’ boards
- (2) 3/8”x3/8”x4’ cove molding
- 2-inch finish nails
- 5/8-inch finish nails
- Wood glue
- Wood filler
- Spray paint
- Sanding sponge
