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orthodude

built in removal

7 years ago
Hi all. Just bought this home and cannot fit my 75” TV inside this built in. It’s very nice craftsmanship but somethings got to go, I can’t downsize TV. I’d like to keep the lower portion and remove the uppers. Is that possible? Or is it all built in together usually?

Comments (17)

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    It's hard to tell. Depends how they installed it, if they used glue or not. Start by checking how the middle long pieces are attached to the counter. You should be able to disassemble the top part, but be pre to fix the wall behind & possibly need a new countertop.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Find another focal point for TV. Do not destroy nice looking built-ins.


  • 7 years ago

    Can the TV go somewhere else while this becomes a dry bar?

  • 7 years ago

    I don't think this is fine furniture that needs preservation, is it? the bullnosed drywall returns make me think this is early to mid 2000s stuff.

  • 7 years ago
    This is where the TV is going, windows on other 2 walls, nice woodwork on the corner fireplace and no, I won’t go smaller on the TV. And you are correct that it is a 2007 built piece. It’s nice don’t get me wrong and I hate to tear it out and really want to keep the lowers intact.
  • 7 years ago

    Its gonna be great, Trevor. It’s rare to have perfect, attractive spot for a big TV. I thought my husbands TV choice was ridiculous (70”, 14’ viewing distance) but I LOVE it. Enjoy!

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    It will come out the way it went in- small pieces. Start by removing the crown and Doors. Remove all the screws holding the components to each other and the wall. Spend a day fighting the screws whose heads popped off... it will either take two hours or a weekend!
  • 7 years ago
    Buy another smaller tv and use your big screen elsewhere ...put bookshelves inside the middle part or rip out the top part ..one by one to fit your tv . Or cut the whole thing in two and place your Tv on top of the cabinet ..you have choices ..it all depends on how much you feel the need to watch Tv in your living room and in exactly that spot where it doesn't fit .
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    before you start taking the top apart with kid gloves, assess how your tv will look on the cabinet. will the screen be exactly the width of the hutch enclosure (and therefore center cabinets) or even larger? then it still won't look great. its ok to let someone else's dream cabinet go if its not your dream cabinet.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    If that is the only place for your tv removing the upper would work. Of course the wall would have to be repaired and painted. I would probably have a contractor do that as they can remove and repair and paint. It's your house so don't be afraid to make it yours!
  • 7 years ago
    Surely this cabinet can be modified by a professional cabinet maker. How many more inches do you need in width? If not too many you could have the cabinet maker fill in the center “hole” with the same wood and wood stain and install the tv on the front of this piece. Or remove the two side upper cabinets if you need to, fill in the center and rebuild open shelves or another fitting cabinet on the upper sides. The nice thing about hanging the tv on this wood cabinet is that it is dark which will camouflage the black tv.
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    A cabinet maker could easily do this job.

  • 7 years ago
    We just bought our condo in April and had exactly the same issue. The center of our cabinet, where the TV is supposed to go, extends out about 8" from the side cabinets and the shelves on either side are set back another 12" behind that. This allowed us to hire a skilled contractor to remove the doors and sides of the TV cabinet, making room for our TV. they had to match moldings along the top and sides, but a good carpenter can do that.

    Before & after photos posted here ("before" has yellow furniture).
  • 7 years ago

    You have a really nice built in to the right with real wood. Tear out that whole piece and buy a nice console for that spot. it’s ugly and frankly looks like was bought at costco

  • 2 years ago

    OP don’t leave us hanging here what’d you do

  • 2 years ago

    We have a drop-down screen and a projector. They were pretty cheap. You could put the drop-down screen in front of the built-in. You can remove the top, how easily depends on how it was built. You will need a new top for the remaining piece, even if it comes off easily.