Introduction
Looking for a unique way to have an outdoor TV without the hassle of mounting it on the wall? Let's get inspired by this crafty homeowner from the Gold Coast who ingeniously converted a broken piano into a stunning pop-up TV lift!
The Problem
- Sun hitting the outdoor areas differently throughout the day making TV glare an issue.
- No shaded spots around the pool, which meant no TV viewing here.
- A distant garden shed turned man cave.
The Inspiration
Reminiscing the old days with the substitute teacher rolling in a TV on a metal trolley, our homeowner thought, "Why not a TV on wheels that can be moved to any outdoor location?"
Step 1: Find the Perfect Casing
Visited furniture stores and researched custom cabinets but found them either too small or too pricey.
Solution: A second-hand piano from a thrift store for just $99!
Tip: Pianos are spacious due to their hollow interiors meant for acoustics.
Step 2: Gutting the Piano
- Spent days removing the metal and strings. Some parts were tough and required drilling.
- Once all internals were out, what remained was an empty shell.
Step 3: Prepping the Piano
- Sanded the dark wood to match the brighter outdoor decor.
- Applied a protective coating to enhance the wood's natural grainy look.
- Converted the key area into a shelf by gluing down floor tiles. Perfect for holding speakers or refreshments!
Step 4: Installing the TV Lift
- Ordered a TV lift. model FA-TVL-180-30 - available in 3 sizes for different size TV's
- Positioned it slightly away from the back wall to ensure it raised past the back panel.
- Used wood supports to securely bolt the lift in place.
- Attached a TV bracket to the lift.
Step 5: The Piano Lid Pop Mechanism
- Thought of manually removing the lid but decided to be more innovative.
- Welded the metal top plate and brackets from the TV Lift kit together.
- Attached this to the top of the TV Lift column.
- Glued magnets to the underside of the piano lid. (Tip: Took some trial and error to find the right magnets for the perfect hold.)
Step 6: Powering the TV
- Drilled a hole in the back of the piano.
- Ran a power lead from inside the piano, allowing easy access to any power point.
Step 7: Mobility is Key
- Added new caster wheels for easy rolling.
In Conclusion
With this revamped piano, our homeowner can now easily roll out their TV, connect it to the internet for streaming, and pair it with a portable Bluetooth speaker for a fantastic outdoor cinema experience.
So the next time you think of discarding an old piece of furniture, remember this story and think of the endless possibilities!
