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Home Decorating Paint Design Dilemma

opinions on chalk painting a tv entertainment system

STEPHANIE LOPEZ

6 years ago

Hey guys,
So i currently have a very traditional dark wood tv entertainment system.. when we purchased the house we asked to keep it not realizing the style of our decor would be completely different after moving in.

My question is being that entertainments systems of this size run in the $thousands and would need one just as big would painting it be worth it or should we just get a new one entirely... i want something white and just don’t know if the idea of painting this huge piece is worth it all.

Opinions?

I also posted a picture of our new couch we just got (covered with blankets lol) but we are going for a more neutral look.

Featured Answer

MarleneM

6 years ago

It’s a large piece and would be quite a project to paint yourself, although I do think it’s very dark and I know I would want to paint it too. Here is a photo where a similar unit is painted close to wall colour with backs of shelves painted cream. I think it looks nice.

Lyme Hills · More Info

I also see you have paint swatches one the wall. I advise you to prime walls first, then paint your swatches on sample boards. Your current gold wall colour will mess with the new colours and you won’t get an accurate reading on the true colours.

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Comments (12)

decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
Post it on Craig's List and see if you can get enough out of it to buy a low credenza 25% wider than the TV. Looks like the sofa is taking you in a contemporary direction. Rug is too small and too bland though. Try it in the bedroom to anchor the bed.

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tfitz1006
6 years ago
Agree, sell that one and shop around for a low long credenza.
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STEPHANIE LOPEZ
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes rug is small i just have if there temporarily for my son until i find something bigger i like.. as for putting it on Craigslist I’ve tried selling it and it seems as though nobody wants to purchase something of that size or wants to pay what i want to actually sell it for which in my eyes is a. Very good deal lol
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baileysr
6 years ago
I’m not surprised you had a hard time selling. Entertainment centers are not really useful or in style anymore. I think flat screen TVs did them in. I just can’t see how this can be good for you. Donate it and get a long credenza for under your tv. If you’re really committed to keeping it, I don’t recommend chalk paint. It’s ok for small pieces that are more rustic and where seeing the brush strokes and having the matte chalk texture is ok. But I think chalk paint would look terrible on that unit. You can paint it the same color as the wall (taking the current finish off and using real paint, not chalk paint), and maybe it’ll not stand out quite so much.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Get rid of the monster it is in no way needed for what you have . Hang the TV at the proper height with a nice long low cabinet below to hide the wires and hold all the equipment need for the TV and stereo if you want some disply check out the Besta system from Ikea those huge cabinets were made for those huge TVs that were 2 + feet thick.These are a couple of ideas but the cool thing is this system can be put together to have a totally custom look to suit your needs
grapefruit1_ar
6 years ago
My son-in-law built a unit very similar to yours and used a gray/green chalk paint on it. It looks very nice. There are no streaks, he is very particular. They have a large room with high ceilings much like yours. Those large pieces do not work in small rooms but can look great in huge spaces. Since you know you cannot get much for it why not try painting it. If it does not work you can then change it.

Thereis something wonderful about not having every home be the same. Too often we see so many people getting the same tables, lamps, window shades, etc. Be unique.
my_four_sons
6 years ago
What price did you list it at? It’s only worth what someone would pay for it, and people don’t want massive wall units. They also don’t want to figure out how to transport massive wall units.

Find a charity who will take it off your hands. Take the deduction on your taxes. Buy a credenza that’s won’t overwhelm your room.
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Sammie J
6 years ago
I agree that a low credenza would look great with your furnishings. BUT - if you want to try it, chalk painting is very easy to do. Since you already know that no one is clammoring to take this off your hands, you might want to give it a try and see how you like it.
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
Post it on CL again after you paint it. Might make it more attractive to buyers too. Eventually, I think you'll want to get rid of it, painted or not.
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erinsean
6 years ago
Will your wall unit come apart? With some units, the bridge comes off and the two side pieces come off.....are they built as one or are they bolted (?) together? Maybe if you took them apart, you could use the center part for your TV, the two bookcases in another room and who knows what the bridge would be good for...Anyway...just a thought.
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Peppapoodle
6 years ago
I agree with erinsean--try removing 2side pieces. You could place those together in an office for books.
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