This set of web pages describes a DIY TV stand/audio-video rack I finished building in January 2006. I wanted an attractive rack that would function as a stand for a 42-50" widescreen TV I am hoping to buy soon, and as a rack to hold a few components.

Cost was a primary concern. Lowboy/console-style A/V racks are surprisingly expensive. Even simple metal-and-glass stands seem to start at $300, and all of the nice-looking wood A/V racks (the ones that look more like furniture, and less like industrial equipment) I've seen seem to cost well over $1000. I wanted to keep the cost of my DIY rack in the $200-300 range, and I met that goal; my final cost was just under $200.

Below are some photos of the finished rack. The overall dimensions are 60" wide x 20" deep x 21-1/4" high. Each fixed shelf is 18 3/4" wide, with 7" usable vertical space. The center cavity is 20" wide, and can hold an adjustable-height center shelf (not shown here). The wood is teak, finished with three coats of Watco Teak Oil plus two applications of paste wax. The metal parts are aluminum angle and tubing.

For more details about the project, follow the links on the left.

Empty rack from front.

Empty rack from an angle.

Close-up of the middle section of the rack. This photo shows the wood finish a little better than the others.

Rack loaded with equipment. Now I just need a real TV...