How to Make a DIY Frame TV

Do you love the look of a Samsung Frame TV, but not the price tag? The unique TV is thin, has customizable frame options, is anti-glare, and has the option to go into "art mode", in which a picture displays to mimic a piece of wall art rather than technology.

As an attractive alternative to the eyesore of a black box, one of the biggest catches for many consumers is the price—with a 32" version selling for $600 and a 65" for $2,000. Luckily, home bloggers and DIYers have found ways to turn their existing TVs into wall art for a fraction of the cost.

Gather Materials and Tools

The most important item in this DIY is, of course, a TV. If you plan to buy a TV specifically for this project, home blogger Jenna LeBlanc of @jennasuedesign suggests finding one that is as slim as possible for your budget. She also recommends using a low-profile TV mount to make it look as similar to the Samsung version as possible.

Note that your version of this DIY may vary depending on your TV model and personal preferences. You may choose to use different materials or methods based on your specific needs.

Measure First

Before heading to your local home improvement store, be sure to correctly measure your TV. If you want your frame to cover all sides of your TV, measure not only each side of your TV but its depth as well. This will create a frame of regular wood pieces for the edges of the TV with a decorative frame attached to the front.

"I wanted to make sure that mine looked good from the side and not just the front, as you can see the side of our TV when you walk into a room," says Erin Zubot of @erinzubotdesign.

If you only care about covering the front of the TV, you only need to make the decorative frame piece. Make sure to also measure the size of your TV screen's edges (the black edges that you will want to cover with the overlap of your frame).

Find Your Trim

Choose a trim design that has the decorative features you desire. Don't worry about the color, as you will have the opportunity to paint or stain it at the end. If you want the wood grain to show through after staining, however, opt for an oak rather than a pine.

Additional Supplies

There are multiple ways to accomplish this project, but the most necessary supplies include a miter saw, corner clamps, wood glue, and a stain or finish of your choice. Other optional materials are staples, a pin nailer, or corner brackets (all used for support when attaching the trim pieces).

Cut the Wood

Now that you have your trim, it's time to cut it to the correct size and shape. Once you cut the trim boards to your desired length, use a miter saw to cut a 45-degree angle at each of the ends so that a perfect rectangle is formed when placed together. Check the lengths before connecting them by holding them up to the TV.

Confirm that your TV's sensor can be reached by the remote when holding a piece of trim up to it. If it doesn't respond, take a few minutes to carve out some of the wood in the back of the trim to make the piece thinner (or even completely open) so the sensor is more accessible. The sensor is usually on the bottom of the TV so it's not likely to be an issue with this project.

Attach and Clamp

The hard part is finished! Now, all you have to do is attach your pieces of trim. Line them up on a flat surface to form a rectangle and attach them with wood glue. Using corner clamps to hold the wood pieces together while the glue sets will help ensure they are flush when dry. For extra support once the glue has dried, you can either staple them, screw in corner brackets, or use a pin nailer. Keep in mind that any nail holes might show on the side of your frame (though you can of course fill the holes with wood filler).

If you built a frame for the sides of your TV as well as the front, now is the time to attach the decorative trim to your frame with wood glue. Let your pieces dry for an entire 24 hours to fully cure.

Stain or Paint

After your frame is completely cured, it's time to customize it with stain or paint. Zubot opted for a walnut-color stain to let the grain in oak trim pieces show through. You can also use finishes like Rub'n Buff Antique Gold to make your frame look more antique and show off any ornate details.

Nicole Pankopp of @simplyalignedhome made a wooden frame that covered both the sides and front of the TV, then glued on thinner pieces of black decorative trim to give her frame a two-toned look.

Hang Your Frame and Enjoy

LeBlanc says that her frame fit so snugly to her TV that no extra steps were necessary to attach it, while Zubot used a small amount of museum putty on the front of her frame to hold it in place. Other options include Command strips, a small wooden piece on the back of the frame to hang over the top of the TV, or even elastic bands that fit over the back of the TV.

To make your TV look even more like artwork, see what options your TV has for displaying photos. You can also find videos on YouTube of changing art. It's important to keep the image on the screen changing so you avoid screen burn-in. Screen burn-in can result in the discoloration of the electronic display and is often irreversible.

"Our TV has an ambient mode where you can choose from a library of photos (or upload your own) and it will automatically adjust the screen settings to display art—just like the Frame TV!" LeBlanc says.