Shelf / TV stand recommendations

[kelsoanim]

So I currently have two mismatched TV stands for my CRT and HDTV and my numerous game systems. I don't have room for all the systems I want to have hooked up and it looks kinda haphazard and messy right now. I'd like to get one long shelf like this:



My requirements are that it should have at least 20 cubbies, and it needs to be deep enough (and strong enough) to hold my 27 inch CRT. It would be nice it it also wasn't too tall so the TVs aren't too high off the ground. Does anyone here know where I could get something like that?

As a side question, does anyone have recommendations for a backlight kit to add to an HDTV like this?

[Blu]

Build it, mate!

My dad built a cabinet to accommodate a bunch of my consoles. It is far narrower than what you were looking for, but for something as specific as what you're looking for, I'd say you'd be able to build it for much cheaper than what you'd pay for one that was already constructed. Plus, even if you had a pre-fabricated one, most likely it'd be in pieces and you'd have to construct it to a certain extent. If you built it on your own, you could stain the wood, know exactly the materials you'd be building with, and have it last.

Here's what my dad rigged:

[cha cha]

All I can suggest to you so far- do not buy the universal storage cube shelves that come in the 4/6/8 varieties, at places like Walmart, Target and Big Lots. I thought that these would be the perfect (and cheapest) solution for a set up similar to what you have shown above... However the cubes themselves cannot fit half the consoles (even though eyballing it looks like they should, the widest they can fit is the og PS1 and not a fat PS2 etc.) and these things cannot support much of anything, let alone a heavy CRT.

All these shelving units I see in gameroom pics like that are custom built (ie. expensive unless you wanna do it yourself). I think the easiest route you will have in getting exactly what you want is to build it yourself or pay out the nose for a custom carpenter/furnisher to make it for you.

[Hazerd]

Here's some ambient lighting kits on Amazon:





Their pretty cheap, so dont put too much thought into it.

Here's a more expensive one with a remote:

[noiseredux]

Build it, mate!

I remember the Blucade. That thing's awesome. Did your dad work from some kind of plan, or just wing it?

[kelsoanim]

Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately, a carpenter I am not. I recently built in some shelves for our bathroom and it took way too long to finish and honestly, they are kind of crappy. It was a frustrating experience and I'm not sure I want to attempt it again, just to end up with something I am disappointed in. I'm going to keep looking but If I don't find anything maybe I will look into building again. Or maybe I will just have to compromise on something that is close enough.

Hazard: thanks for the Amazon links. The product in the first link should do the job, ordered it.

[Blu]

Build it, mate!

I remember the Blucade. That thing's awesome. Did your dad work from some kind of plan, or just wing it?

He eyeballed a Neo Geo MVS and an old Asteroids cabinet and then drew it on graph paper. He went to the lumber store, bought what he needed, then just built it. He has one in his downstairs entertainment room that is wider than mine that accommodates all of his consoles, and he has one that his HyperSpin emulator rig runs off of. Mine was the third he built.

He has some sheer brilliance that I simply love. He's taught himself how to do a lot of carpentry over the years.

Kelsoanim: if you're worried about lacking the expertise, enlist a buddy or even someone locally to build it for you. I promise the fee you'd pay for someone to build something like this, is going to be smaller than the premium for one that's already built. Plus, you could have it built with unfinished wood and stain and poly it yourself, which would be fun.

[Frag Mortuus]

Like others have said, you should build it yourself. Obviously, you would need some tools.

Mainly:

*Depending on the size of the boards you're cutting, you will need one or more of the following saws*
Miter Saw
Table Saw
Circular Saw

*Then your basic tools for any project*
Drill
Square
Tape Measure
Chalk Line
Pencil
Sander

*and if you want to make things easier on yourself*
Kreg Jig (makes joining two pieces of wood much, much easier and stronger than just using nails or screws alone.

If you don't have a saw, or if you don't feel comfortable using power tools your local hardware store will usually have a wood cutting area where they will cut your lumber for you. However, they aren't really precise or careful. But, they may be able to get it close enough. Then when you're building, you can base the size of the TV stand off of the shortest piece and sand the longer ones down to match the shorter ones, provided it isn't a huge difference. Meaning, if they cut a 2x12x12 in half and one side is 6' .05" and the other side is 5' 11.95", you should be able to sand the longer side down .10" pretty easily. They should be able to cut the pieces within a reasonable margin for you. So, if you figure out all your cuts before buying the wood, they could cut it for you and then you just bring the pieces home and put them together, then sand, stain, finish and let it dry. In two days time, you could have a nice new piece of furniture.

Now, I'm not as good as some folks on this site, but If you're careful, patient, and thorough, you should be able to build that stand in that picture pretty easily.

EDIT: You posted while I was typing this long winded reply . If you don't want to build, Ikea has this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10196431/
I considered buying this at one time, but living in WV, and NOT near an Ikea store, the shipping was ridiculous (more than the price of the unit).

[kelsoanim]

Hmm, maybe a better plan for me would be to get two simple TV stands with 6-8 cubbies each and place them next to each other. I seem to remember Ikea used to have some like that but it looks like they no longer carry them.

[SirGawain]

Hmm, maybe a better plan for me would be to get two simple TV stands with 6-8 cubbies each and place them next to each other. I seem to remember Ikea used to have some like that but it looks like they no longer carry them.

It's the Expedit series. They still sell it and have a lot of different configurations