Independent production of a niche for a TV from plasterboard

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

What is drywall?

Gypsum plasterboard (GKL) is a building sheet material consisting of several layers of cardboard and one layer of gypsum dough. This inexpensive and easy-to-process material is widely used for surface cladding, partitions and ceilings. Sheet width – 120 cm.
Advantages of this material:

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

Minuses:

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

Practical function of a drywall 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. The gypsum plasterboard construction completes the television technology. 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:

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

When using decor, plasterboard niches look expensive, stylish, presentable. Moreover, they take up much less space than hinged shelves, cabinets or stands.

Niche Tips

The creation of a niche requires certain knowledge, skills in working with tools, and creative imagination from a home craftsman. Experienced DIYers give beginners advice – they are aimed at preventing common mistakes that can be made when creating drywall niches. Tips for beginners:

• take into account 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 can withstand 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;
• niche design 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 overload the niche with unnecessary items so as not to provoke its collapse;
• to decorate a niche, use lighting, it can be either main or additional.

Popular types of drywall TV niches

Plasterboard boxes are made in three versions, plus there is another variety – a backlit niche, 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, there is space for additional structures. Such a niche visually makes the room taller.
• Horizontal. They are usually chosen for small spaces. They visually expand walls and space.
• Oval. This is a more complex option, requiring certain skills and abilities from the performer to work with drywall and profiles. A circle can be used instead of an oval.
• Combined. They combine two types and represent a complex structure, the construction of which is usually carried out by professionals.

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

Manufacturing process

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

Required 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 looking for missing components. You will need:

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

Preparatory work: sketching and sizing

Work begins with the creation of a drawing, which is done to scale and in compliance with the parameters of the structure. All adjustments are made before the start of construction work. All basic dimensions are indicated in the drawing. They are calculated based on the dimensions of the TV. For example, when building a niche for a 55-inch TV, it is important to take into account not only the height and width of the device, but also its depth. It should be 10-20 cm larger than the TV size in each direction – so that the equipment does not overheat. In addition, the television must be positioned 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 right next to the wall;
• the wiring, lighting and other electrical equipment are indicated on the drawing – 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 assembly

Using a folding rule and a simple pencil, transfer the parameters indicated on your drawing to the drywall. Be precise and accurate so you don’t have to cut your sheets. How to install a niche:

1. Install profiles. When the markings are applied, start installing the guide profiles. Fasten them with self-tapping screws – for this job you will need a drill and screwdriver.
2. Carry out all communications – cable, lighting – if provided, sockets.
3. Install drywall sheets. When the profiles are fixed, proceed with the installation of the drywall sheets, observing the specified dimensions. Pay attention – two adjacent elements should form smooth joints, there should be no edges and 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 should correspond to the guide profiles.

Video about installing a plasterboard niche:

Finishing

After installing the niche, they begin to finish its surfaces. To complete the work, you will need a putty, a primer, and a serpyanka. Finishing procedure:

1. Apply putty to the joints and stick the serpyanka tapes.
2. Prime all surfaces.
3. Smooth all surfaces with a trowel and then sand with sandpaper.
4. Apply the primer again.
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.

Placing a TV in a niche

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

Ideas for decorating a niche for a TV made of plasterboard

There is an unlimited variety of plasterboard TV niche designs. The 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 the TV in it. There is upholstered furniture, a table, wardrobes, a work area, all kinds of shelves and so on. That is why compact and ergonomic designs are so valued here. The plasterboard niche easily replaces the wall-cabinets, which 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, a niche for a 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 photos are welcome – all this can be placed on adjacent drywall shelves.

On the kitchen

Here, the main place is given to functionality, therefore, the TV is installed so that it is convenient to watch it, 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

Niche design and 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. Finishing options:

• Painting. The easiest finishing option is to paint the assembled structure with paint. But before starting work, it is imperative 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 glue 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 is practically indistinguishable from natural.
• Wood. Light woods or imitation are suitable for finishing. It is convenient to use wooden panels, for example, lining.
• Decorative finishing. A variety of design options are used for it – mosaic, painting, glass and mirror inserts, stucco, polyurethane structures, stencils, you can also equip a niche for a TV by decorating it with decorative bricks.

Illumination of a niche for a TV

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 of television niches:

• safe LED lamps of different formats are recommended – spotlights, diode strips or garlands;
• neon threads look spectacular – they give a bright, uniform glow;
• usually ribbons and threads are allowed around 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 glare;
• spot lamps are usually installed in several pieces, placing them at regular intervals;
• The most comfortable shade of lighting is considered to be 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.

Design Tips

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

• the size of the plasterboard niche should not occupy more than a third of the wall;
• if the lighting is being installed, 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 opportunity to equip additional shelves – you can put a lot of beautiful and useful items on them;
• if you arrange a niche that takes up the entire space from floor to ceiling, you will add an interesting detail to the interior design;
• you can make a niche in the form of a wardrobe – to hide a 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 the baguette masters;
• a chest of drawers with a niche under the TV is a winning combination that allows you to profitably use the space;
• The niche for a TV set from a laminate looks beautiful in modern interiors – it is used to trim the inner wall of a plasterboard structure.

Many people today are abandoning TVs in favor of gadgets. It also happens that a niche has been made, but for some reason it was not possible to install a TV there. Then something else can be placed in it so that the place does not go to waste. How to fill a niche in the wall instead of a TV:

• decorate with fabric panels or embroidery;
• install a mirror;
• equip a decorative fireplace;
• put an aquarium;
• establish a cage with birds or animals;
• hang a picture, photo collage, framed photos;
• place stylish vases with flowers or floral arrangements.

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

The advantage of a drywall niche is low costs and the ability to implement a variety of ideas. They are so good that every home craftsman can independently build exactly the structure that he needs. At the same time, there is a service for the installation of plasterboard boxes and niches, and if working with the tool is not your strong point, you can contact the appropriate company and order the installation of any plasterboard structure. The cost of drywall boxes is 300-400 rubles. per running meter. 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 by arranging it in accordance with your creative fantasies.