I took my pine tv cabinet from this: to this: I didn't want a solid, single color paint look, but something with more depth. The end result is just what I wanted, and was easy to do. The process is multi step but each step is easy and very forgiving, nothing needs to be perfect. You could do lots of different color combos - I'm planning some dining room pieces for this winter with a brown base and green on top. For the whole process step by step, click on the before picture above or follow this link. Here is a link that might be useful: TV Cabinet Re-do

I know I'm in the minority here, but I wouldn't invest so much into a piece of furniture designed to house a TV. The more I see TVs mounted on the wall the more I am getting accustomed to them, and as the technology progresses they will become slimmer and slimmer, which will make cabinets to house them less desirable, and less necessary. TVs are part of our lives, and a nice wall mount where the cord is not visible under the TV looks good just about anywhere. A big entertainment unit takes up a LOT of space, and a lot of air, and kind of takes over your room. And, in the end, when you close the doors, the doors are so enormous that is looks kind of odd, and you're not kidding anyone; everyone knows that there is a TV inside! Smaller TVs, on the other hand, can hide in armoires and cabinets more successfully since the size of the furniture piece is more typical and the doors will be smaller. We debated over this for quite awhile, and are very happy we wall mounted the TV, placed a great looking buffet under it, (which could be used in any number of places in the house in the future) and just enjoy watching it. You can get the remotes now that go through the wooden doors; so that opens up lots of possibilities for furniture to house your DVD player, etc. Take a look at Craigs List sometime and do a search on Entertainment Centers. You'll likely see several that can't be adapted to today's TVs and are being sold for pennies on the dollar. I think you could always be vulnerable to that in the future if you buy something primarily because it works for the TV you want now. Good luck with your decision, this is just my two cents, and I'm sure you know best what will work for you.

Thank you for your input everyone! I feel much better now about the woods to mix in. I don't like the thought of all black furniture. The como bench is on sale.....I may have to purchase it! yayagal, unfortunately, we have floor to floor carpet. In our area, it seems it is the norm to put that in the living areas. Of course, all of the shows and magazines have hardwood...I would love them! My husband thought it was weird to put hardwood in the living room....he wanted it to be cozy under the feet. That is how most people here think! One day I will have my way! Thanks again!

I agree, in general, back in the day, we needed 24” or more deep large furniture to house the depth of those TVs. I am sure you now have a flatscreen TV, and know that they are recommended for best viewing, at eye level for a seated audience. Additionally, all the new TVs pride themselves on ability to be viewed from an angle. A deep entertainment center doesn’t take advantage of this, either. Maybe your husband is just so accustomed to seeing a massive piece of furniture, and can’t imagine anything else. Perhaps if someone mocks up a display of a long, low console, with lots of storage, placement of art or whatever to make it attractive, he will come around.