Hide Your TV in Style

Get the Perfect Cabinet For Your TV
Whether you're building a custom cabinet or buying a new TV to fit inside a cabinet that you already have, proper measuring is key. Remember that your television size (27-inch, 36-inch, etc.) is the screen size measured diagonally from corner to corner, not the overall dimensions. To make sure you have plenty of clearance around the TV, measure the height, width, and depth of your set. You'll want at least 2 inches on either side, 2 inches above, 2 inches in front, and 4 inches in back to accommodate cords and allow proper ventilation. If you have a flat-panel TV, don't forget to include the height of the stand in your measurements. Follow these guidelines, and you'll have a perfect fit.

Get the Perfect Cabinet For Your TV
 

"Hide Your TV in Style" is from the January 2007 issue of Southern Living.