Renovations: Entertainment Center Make-Over

We are continuing the basement renovation and I’m beginning to plan the placement of furniture. While, thinking about the layout and design, my favorite part, I decided to change our 10+ year old entertainment center.

This entertainment center is on its last life, as far as I’m concerned. It has come so close to being taken to the ‘dump’ on several occasions. I am trying to think back to why we saved it exactly and I really can’t think of a reason. However, in our basement it’s been…just holding my old, non-flat screened, college TV.

And, since it has been so resilient, of course we are keeping it again! It just needs a little ‘tuning’ up, if you will. It’s getting pretty rough.

So, at work last Friday I made an executive decision concerning our entertaining friend. I thought to myself, "I'm gonna paint it!" I immediately googled how to paint particle board. I knew that paint wouldn't stick to that shiny exterior. So, what could I do?

According to....hmmm, I think it was 'HowTo.com', I should sand it first. It would give the board some 'grit' and the paint would then stick.  I shared my idea with Heath and there you have - we had a plan!

According to the site, I should use a 220 grit sand paper, which I started with. It worked; but, I was going through it like crazy! And, I felt like it was taking fore..ev...er! So, I eventually used 150 grit and that worked great! It made it go a lot quicker too!

Thank goodness we have a sander; I was planning on doing the whole thing by hand. THAT would have been a nightmare!

After I removed the shelves and doors, and I sanded, Heath wiped it off for me.

It looks weird, huh?

Now, on the saw horses, it was ready for a coat of white paint. We decided to use a flat paint, since that is what the rest of the basement is.

Here I am painting. My father-in-law was helping by touching up the corners, where my roller couldn't reach.

It took two coats to really cover it; but, I went through a third time, just to be anal. We were very pleased with the results!

And for all of you who are scrolling up and down, here is the comparison. :)



The only part that looks bad, is the lower, right cubbies. That is because there will be doors that cover that area. So, I wasn't too concerned about being particular on sanding or painting. And, there was like a faux, cardboard back, which was brown. The brown kept coming through the paint; so, it is tinged yellow-ish. Again, not a big deal; because no one will see it.

After some more thought, I probably could have painted it a fun color; however, I think with all of the toys in the room, and red carpet,  it could get a little cluttered. Overall, I'm glad I stuck with white! :)

The total approximate cost of this project was about $15.