A big TV can take over a room. For this living room, the homeowners wanted the TV when they're watching and a calm wall of wood when they're not. Our answer was a white oak built-in with two sliding doors that can hide either the TV or the arched shelves.
How the sliding doors work
The built-in has three bays: an arched open shelf on each side and the TV in the middle. Two large doors ride on a track across the top. Slide them to the center and the TV is gone. Slide them out to the sides and they cover the arches, so the TV becomes the focus. Either way the wall looks finished and intentional.
Why slatted panels
Doors this big can look heavy. We built each one as a solid white oak frame with a flat center panel and slatted sections at the top and bottom. The slats add texture and shadow, lighten the look of the doors and let the cabinet breathe around the TV and electronics.
Hardware that disappears
We used Häfele sliding door hardware, hidden in the top of the cabinet. Good hardware is what makes doors this size feel easy to move every day, and keeps them running straight for years.
A soft white finish
The oak is finished with Rubio Monocoat in white, a one-coat hardwax oil. It mutes the yellow in white oak for a light, natural look, keeps the grain visible and can be spot-repaired if something gets scratched.
Planning a media wall?
- Size the doors to the TV, plus room for the frame, so the screen is fully covered
- Plan power and cables early with your electrician, before the cabinet is built
- Think about airflow for electronics behind closed doors
- Pick the finish with the floor so the wood tones work together
See the full project: White Oak Media Wall with Sliding Doors. More: media walls, custom built-ins and our sapele library wall with a hidden mini-split.