Love the look of your Samsung Frame TV, but not the price? This unique TV is thin, has customizable frame options, is anti-glare, and displays images that mimic wall art rather than technology There is also an option to enter “art mode”.
As an attractive alternative to unsightly black boxes, one of the biggest draws for many consumers is price. The 32-inch version retails for $600 and the 65-inch version retails for $2,000. Luckily, home bloggers and DIY enthusiasts have found a way to turn existing TVs into wall art at a fraction of the cost.
gather materials and tools
The most important item for this DIY is, of course, the TV. If you're planning on buying a TV specifically for this project, home blogger Jenna LeBlanc of @jennasuedesign suggests finding the slimmest TV possible within your budget. She also recommends using a low-profile TV mount to make it look as similar as possible to the Samsung version.
Note that this DIY version may vary depending on your TV model and personal preferences. You can choose to use different materials and methods based on your specific needs.
Provided by Erin Zubot
measure first
Be sure to measure your TV correctly before heading to your local hardware store. If you want the frame to cover all sides of your TV, measure the depth as well as each side of your TV. This creates a regular wood frame around the edges of the TV and a decorative frame on the front.
“When you walk into the room, you can see the side of the TV, so we wanted it to look good from the side as well as the front,” says Erin Zubot of @erinzubotdesign.
If you just want to cover the front of the TV, you only need to create a decorative frame part. Be sure to also measure the edges of your TV screen (the black edges covered by overlapping frames).
Find trim
Choose a trim design with the decorative features you desire. There is no need to worry about the color as you will have the opportunity to paint or stain it at the end. However, if you want the wood grain to show after staining, choose oak instead of pine.
additional supplies
There are multiple ways to accomplish this project, but the most needed supplies include a miter saw, corner clamps, wood glue, and your choice of stain or finish. Other optional materials include staples, pin nailers, or corner brackets (all used for support when installing trim pieces).
cut a tree
Once the trim is complete, cut it to the correct size and shape. Once the trim board is cut to the desired length, use a miter saw to cut each end at a 45 degree angle so that it forms a perfect rectangle when placed together. Check the length by holding it up to the TV before connecting.
Make sure the remote reaches the TV sensor when you hold a piece of trim over it. If it doesn't respond, take a few minutes to scrape the wood behind the trim to make it thinner (or completely open) and make the sensor easier to access. The sensor is usually located on the bottom of the TV, so it's unlikely to be an issue for this project.
Provided by Jenna LeBlanc
install and clamp
The hard part is over! All that's left to do is attach the trim. Arrange them in a rectangular shape on a flat surface and attach them with wood glue. Use corner clamps to secure the wood pieces so that when the glue sets and dries, the wood pieces will be at the same height. For extra support once the glue dries, staple, screw in corner brackets, or use a pin nailer. Please note that nail holes may appear on the sides of the frame (of course, you can also fill the holes with wood filler).
If you created a frame for the sides of your TV as well as the front, it's time to attach the decorative trim to the frame with wood glue. Allow to dry for 24 hours until fully cured.
stain or paint
Once the frame is fully cured, customize it with stain or paint. Zubot chose a walnut-colored stain to allow the grain of the oak trim to show through. You can also use a finish like Rub'n Buff Antique Gold to make the frame look more antique and show off ornate details.
Nicole Pankop of @simplyalignedhome built a wooden frame to cover both the sides and front of the TV and glued on thin pieces of black decorative trim to give the frame a two-tone look.
Provided by Nicole Pankop
Hang your frame and enjoy!
LeBlanc said no special steps were required to install the TV because her frame fit snugly, but Zubot said she used a small amount of museum putty on the front of the frame to secure it. Ta. Other options include a command strip, a small wooden piece on the back of the frame to hang over the top of the TV, or even an elastic band that fits on the back of the TV.
To make your TV look even more like a work of art, see if your TV has an option to display photos. You can also find videos about changes in art on YouTube. It is important to keep the image on the screen changing to avoid screen burn-in. Screen burn-in can cause discoloration of electronic displays and is often irreversible.
“Our TVs have an ambient mode that lets you choose from a library of photos (or upload your own) and automatically adjusts the screen settings to display your art – just like Frame TV. ” LeBlanc says.
