DIY Built In Shelves and Living Room Update

 The past few years, I have been staring at my living room wondering what to do with it. I have added some board and batten here and there, but really have been wanting to add board and batten or planking everywhere. With all the ideas in my head, I could not wrap my mind around what to do with the space above my television. It trumped me. I had lots of ideas, I just didn't know how they would integrate into the whole scheme of things. So, instead of doing anything, I just sat and stared and got more bugged :) Here's what it looked like before:

 I had put shelves in the other alcove years and years ago and truthfully had planned to do the same in this one, but that went out my head as the years past. Didn't even ever thing about it...until I asked what to do on my Instagram and was reminded about it! I got to work the next day. Literally. That's how bad I disliked the space.

I used the same tutorial to build these as I did my other shelves. First was building the shelves and supports. For the supports, I used 1x2s for each side. I then found where they would line up with the studs and predrilled the holes.

 I also measured the spacing out to match the other side and drilled into the studs using 2 inch screws.

 For the shelves, I used half inch particle board cut to the size of the alcove. These shelves are huge! 2 feet by 4 feet. I cut molding the size of the outer section of the board and glued and nailed it into place.

 
I also did another update that helped this little area; I updated the entertainment center! It was a long time coming. I'll have the tutorial for that soon!

 I am so happy with how this turned out. It did take awhile to get used to it. First, it felt dark and like I lost 2 feet of my living room. That was a hard transition, but really I gained two feet of usable shelf space.

 It also took me awhile to get the shelving decor right. I'm still not completely happy with it. I'm not used to having stuff over here so no matter what I did, it felt way busy. I think keeping everything white and neutral helped with this aspect. I switched out a lot of black stuff for white and that made a big difference.

 Here's another before picture of my living room about 7 years ago compared to the picture above. This picture is before any of the shelves. I'm not sure why builders like these things. They drive me nuts!

 And the worst part? They aren't symmetrical. What is with that? I have no idea who made that decision and why. Luckily, over the years I have gotten used to it, but looking at pictures like this make me realize again how bad it is :)

 Here's a good before of how this space looked the day we moved in. That tile is still hiding behind the wood, I can't figure out what I want to do with this whole thing. I really love the mantel, so I don't want to replace it. Maybe plank the whole thing all the way up? Stacked stone? I have no clue :)

 This is a corner that I used to hate photographing because it was just a big hole with my TV in it. I loved the architecture though! Now I'm glad it looks pretty and matches the rest of the house!

 Here's that corner last year before the board and batten and shelves. Pretty architecturally, but really lacked character.

 And now I just love it! I think I may carry that board and batten onto the empty wall or maybe even up above the shelves, half way up our 20 foot walls? Decisions, decisions...

I also used to ignore this alcove while taking this angle of our room, and now I can include it! I don't care if there's still a 'big black box' in it, it works for me :) TVs are what they are and most people have them, it's just trying to decorate around them or with them.

Stay tuned next week for the tutorial on the sliding door entertainment console and DIY sliding door hardware! I can't get over how much I love it!

Source List:
Rug: Amazon
Chair: Target      
Striped Pillow Cover: Amazon
Cream Buffalo Check Pillow Cover: Amazon
Table: Hobby Lobby
Clock: Gordmans
Lamp: Target
Tobacco Basket: Hobby Lobby
Fresh Cut Flowers Sign: Gordmans
 

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