Do-it-yourself production of a niche for a plasterboard TV

If there is not enough space in the room and it is not clear where to put a new large TV, a drywall niche will solve the problem. This idea saves space and allows you to implement an infinite number of ideas. Such niches are easy to manufacture, so even novice craftsmen can build them.

What is drywall?

Drywall (GKL) is a building sheet material consisting of several layers of cardboard and one layer of gypsum dough. This inexpensive and easy-to-work material is widely used for cladding surfaces, building partitions and ceilings. Sheet width – 120 cm. The
advantages of this material:

• cheapness – GKL is much cheaper than stone, plaster, wood;
• easy to transport – standard drywall sheets easily fit in a car;
• light weight of the material;
• simplicity and high speed of installation – no need to knead special solutions, putty or paste over the surface;
• stabilizes the humidity in the room;
• incombustibility.

Minuses:

• instability in front of water – the material gets wet and deformed;
• fragility.

The practical function of a plasterboard TV niche

Plasterboard niches are much cheaper than custom-made furniture. They are quickly and easily mounted, and you can make them yourself, experimenting, finding new design solutions and forms. Gypsum board construction gives the television technique completeness. When creating it, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the TV and ensure the most reliable fixation on the wall. The main functions of drywall niches:

• a structural recess prevents the TV from falling;
• can be used for zoning space;
• along with a TV, acoustic equipment can be installed in a niche – you get a home theater;
• in a niche you can install shelves for souvenirs, books, lighting fixtures;
• inside the drywall wire, it is possible to hide wires, built-in lighting, sockets, various communications and wall irregularities;
• if a niche is installed in the kitchen, it can be used simultaneously to install a TV, dishes, bottles, decorative elements.

When using decor, drywall niches look expensive, stylish, presentable. At the same time, they take up much less space than hanging shelves, cabinets or stands.

Niche Design Tips

Creating a niche requires certain knowledge, tool skills, and creative imagination from the home craftsman. Experienced “homemade” give beginners advice – they are aimed at preventing typical mistakes that can be made when creating drywall niches. Tips for beginners:

• consider the weight of the TV, if it is very heavy, it is better to choose a wooden structure;
• when choosing a material, take into account the features of the room – for example, in the kitchen it is necessary to install a base that endures temperature extremes and high humidity;
• decide in advance on the shape and size of the niche, decide how many shelves there will be in the structure;
• the design of the niche should be combined with the style of the room;
• horizontal niches allow you to visually lengthen the walls, vertical ones – to increase the height of the ceilings;
• do not pile up a niche with unnecessary items so as not to provoke its collapse;
• to decorate a niche, use the backlight, it can be both primary and secondary.

Popular types of plasterboard television niches

Plasterboard boxes are made in three versions, plus another variety is distinguished – a niche with illumination, which, in principle, can be organized in any design solution. Types of plasterboard niches for TV:

• Vertical. It is equipped from floor to ceiling. On the sides leave room for additional structures. Such a niche visually makes the room higher.
• Horizontal. They are usually chosen for small spaces. They visually expand the walls and space.
• Oval. This is a more complex option that requires the performer to have certain skills and abilities in working with drywall and profiles. A circle can be used instead of an oval.
• Combined. They combine two varieties and represent a complex structure, the construction of which is usually carried out by professionals.

Another interesting option is a corner niche made of plasterboard for a TV. It is usually used in small spaces – for example, in the kitchen. The instructions for its installation depend on the shape of the niche, and the remaining nuances – shelves, stands or individual mini-niches for speakers – only affect the complexity of creating the structure.

Manufacturing process

To make a drywall niche, you will need the usual set of tools, materials, fasteners. The creation of a niche begins with calculations and drawings, and the process of installing a niche for a TV takes several days – it all depends on the skills and dexterity of the performer.

Necessary tools and materials

To make a plasterboard niche for a TV, prepare all the necessary materials and tools in advance. This will allow you not to be distracted by the search for missing components. You will need:

• drywall sheet up to 12 mm thick;
• auxiliary materials – putty, primer, sickle;
• galvanized metal profile;
• tools – screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, hacksaw, construction knife, spatula, roller;
• fasteners – dowels, metal corners, connecting elements for the profile;
• measuring devices – tape measure, pencil, level;
• electrical equipment – wires, socket, connectors, switch, lamps, protective sleeve.

Preparatory work: sketching and dimensioning

Work begins with the creation of a drawing, which is made to scale and in compliance with the parameters of the structure. All adjustments are made before the start of construction work. The drawing indicates all the main dimensions. They are calculated based on the dimensions of the TV. For example, when constructing a niche for a 55-inch TV, it is important to consider not only the height and width of the device, but also its depth. It should be 10-20 cm larger than the size of the TV in each direction – so that the equipment does not overheat. In addition, the TV should stand so that it can be easily removed. The niches for the speakers should also be much larger than the devices themselves, and they should be placed at some distance from the TV. When determining the size of a niche, it is important to consider the following points:

• it is necessary to leave space for ventilation – the TV should not stand close to the wall;
• the drawing indicates wiring, lighting and other electrical equipment – their installation will be carried out in the course of creating a niche;
• all metal profiles are drawn on the sketch, taking into account the thickness of the material and the installation of jumpers that reinforce the structure.

Installation and installation

Using a folding ruler and a simple pencil, transfer the parameters indicated on your drawing to the drywall. Be precise and avoid errors so that you do not have to cut the sheets. How to install a niche:

1. Install profiles. When the markup is applied, begin the installation of guide profiles. Fasten them with self-tapping screws – for this work you will need a drill and a screwdriver.
2. Run all communications – cable, lighting – if provided, sockets.
3. Install drywall sheets. When the profiles are fixed, proceed with the installation of drywall sheets, observing the prescribed dimensions. Please note that two adjacent elements should form even joints, there should not be any edges or protrusions.
4. Fasten the cut pieces of drywall to the profiles. To add volume to the structure and increase its strength, install additional profiles along the edges of the niche – their size must correspond to the guide profiles.

Video about installing a drywall niche:

Finishing

After installing the niche, they begin to finish its surfaces. To perform the work you will need putty, primer, sickle. Finishing order:

1. Apply putty to the joints and stick sickle tapes.
2. Treat all surfaces with a primer.
3. Level all surfaces with a spatula, and then sand with sandpaper.
4. Reapply primer.
5. Then proceed in accordance with the cladding option, for example – paint with a paint and varnish composition.

If you decide to install decorative lighting, drill holes for its connection in advance.

Placement of the TV in a niche

The last stage of work is the placement and connection of the TV in a niche. It is necessary to fix the special mounting bracket that comes with the TV on the wall. Fasten it with dowels or screws. If the bracket is not included, you will have to purchase it.

Ideas for decorating a niche for drywall TV

There is an unlimited variety of drywall niche designs for TVs. Implemented ideas depend not only on the tastes and preferences of the performer, but also on the purpose of the room, its size and features.

In the living room

The living room is a large room, but it is not so easy to find a place for a TV in it. There is upholstered furniture, a table, cabinets, a work area, all kinds of shelves and more. That is why compact and ergonomic designs are so valued here. A plasterboard niche easily replaces wall cabinets that are outdated morally and physically. It helps to rationally organize the space, and also allows you to visually zone the room.

In the bedroom

Peace, relaxation and comfort reign in the bedroom, and there should not be anything superfluous here. Here, the niche for the TV will not only not take up space, but will also become a stylish atmospheric accessory.
A niche with an elegant and sophisticated finish will look good in the bedroom. Subdued lighting, flowers, framed photographs are welcome – all this can be placed on adjacent drywall shelves.

In the kitchen

Here, the main place is given to functionality, so the TV is installed so that it is convenient to watch, and at the same time it takes up a minimum of space. The niche is placed so that it is located at a distance from the stove and sink, otherwise water and grease will get on it.

Decoration Materials

The design of a niche and its decoration are practically unlimited – it can have any shape, shelves, decor. Depending on the style and interior of the room, the finishing material is chosen. Finish options:

• Painting. The easiest finishing option is to paint the mounted structure with paint. But before starting work, it is necessary to putty the base, smoothing out all the joints and fasteners. To achieve greater decorativeness, use textured plaster. If we are talking about strict and classic interiors, the niche is painted in a color that is in harmony with the walls of the room. If the room is decorated in a modern style, use bright and catchy colors.
• Wallpaper. It is recommended to paste over drywall with companion wallpaper – they are in the collections of almost every brand. The trend is a combination of various textures and patterns.
• Stone. For cladding, a light version is used – an artificial stone. It is much lighter in weight, and in appearance it is practically indistinguishable from natural.
• Wood. For finishing, light woods or imitation are suitable. It is convenient to use wooden panels, for example, lining.
• Decorative finish. A variety of design options are used for it – mosaics, paintings, glass and mirror inserts, stucco, polyurethane structures, stencils, you can also equip a niche for a TV, trimming it with decorative bricks.

TV niche lighting

Backlighting is a popular solution that allows you to achieve a stunning decorative effect in a simple way. It is used in a variety of interior elements, it is also suitable for decorating plasterboard niches. Features of backlighting TV niches:

• safe LED lamps of various formats are recommended – spotlights, diode strips or garlands;
• neon threads look spectacular – they give a bright, uniform glow;
• usually tapes and threads are allowed along the perimeter, placing them behind the equipment, along the ends of the niche and in the inner corners of the shelves;
• the light should be directed to the sides or to the front wall, but not into the room – so that there is no blinding effect;
• spotlights are usually installed in several pieces, placing them at certain intervals;
• The most comfortable shade of lighting is considered white light.

In addition to white light, you can use yellowish tones – they make the atmosphere cozy and relaxed. Neon shades of blue, green, red, purple are recommended to be used only in the living room and turned off when watching TV.

Designer Tips

Designers advise, when equipping a niche, to take into account the features of the interior so that it does not become an alien element in the room. More tips from designers:

• the size of the drywall niche should not occupy more than a third of the wall;
• if the backlight is set up, it should not be too bright, and the color of the lamps should not contrast with the overall color scheme of the room;
• before mounting a niche, be sure to create a sketch and strictly follow it;
• feel free to use the possibility of arranging additional shelves – you can put a lot of beautiful and useful items on them;
• if you arrange a niche that occupies the entire space from floor to ceiling, you will bring an interesting detail to the interior design;
• you can make a niche in the form of a closet – to hide the TV there behind doors or curtains;
• use the design for the TV with slats, and the TV itself can be framed – but such work should be entrusted to framers;
• a chest of drawers with a niche under the TV – a winning combination that allows you to profitably use the space;
• the niche for the TV made of laminate looks beautiful in modern interiors – they finish the inner wall of the plasterboard structure.

Many people today are ditching their TVs in favor of gadgets. It also happens that a niche is made, but for some reason the TV could not be installed there. Then you can place something else in it so that the place does not disappear in vain. How to fill a niche in the wall instead of a TV:

• decorate with a fabric panel or embroidery;
• install a mirror;
• arrange a decorative fireplace;
• put up an aquarium
• install a cage with birds or animals;
• hang a picture, photo collage, framed photographs;
• place stylish vases with flowers or flower arrangements.

Is it possible to buy a ready-made niche for a TV?

The advantage of a drywall niche is low costs and the possibility of implementing a variety of ideas. They are good because every home craftsman can independently build exactly the design that he needs. At the same time, there is a service for installing drywall boxes and niches, and if working with a tool is not your strong point, you can contact the appropriate company and order the installation of any drywall construction. The cost of drywall boxes – 300-400 rubles. per running metre. Drywall is an affordable and malleable material that even the most inexperienced home craftsman can work with. Possessing minimal skills in working with materials and tools, you can create a unique interior detail, arranging it in accordance with your creative fantasies.