Repurpose This Once-Trendy Living Room Item Into A Cost-Effective Pantry Solution

Having a kitchen with a built-in pantry, or better yet, a large walk-in space covered in floor-to-ceiling shelves is the dream. Sadly, that's not the reality for everyone — especially small kitchen dwellers. Sometimes, it's easier to stuff everything into that one kitchen cabinet — until you run out of space and your cooking ingredients come tumbling down every time you open the door. If you're in the same boat, a good old TV armoire could be the answer to all your food storage woes.

Rewind to the 80s and 90s, and hiding a thick, box TV set inside an even bulkier cabinet was in vogue. These huge armoires are now as good as obsolete in the tech world; hence, many people are getting rid of theirs for a few bucks or completely free. Little do they know how versatile TV cabinets are beyond housing televisions and related equipment. With a few tweaks (such as adding extra shelving and a fresh coat of paint), you can repurpose an old TV cabinet into a spacious pantry, all without hurting your wallet. If you don't already have one collecting dust in your basement, thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales are gold mines for these types of entertainment centers. Alternatively, Facebook Marketplace is great for scoring free ones if you don't mind driving the distance to pick it up. Once you've secured the goods, give it a fresh makeover with the tips below.

First, assess the armoire's condition. Depending on its state, you may need to do some repairs, like replacing the back panel or tightening up any wobbly parts. Not a fan of the armoire's finish? Pop on your safety glasses and give it a good sanding using a power sander or a sanding block (expect a lot of elbow grease for the second option). Don't worry if you don't have a sanding tool on hand — a paint scraper can also be used to strip old paint away. After you're done prepping, grab a microfiber cloth and your cleaning product of choice to clean the wooden furniture.

Next is giving the furniture a new look. Paint is a guaranteed way to perk up an old-school TV unit, but you can also stain it to preserve the wood's beauty. If you're going to paint your TV-armoire-turned-pantry, you could opt for a color that matches your space or make it stand out as a focal point. Either way, always prime first for better coverage. Dress it up even further by updating the hardware for something snazzier and maybe stencil a pattern on the doors. Another idea: put wallpaper on the backing inside for a pop of fun. This also hides the wire holes on the backside of the TV cabinet, although you can leave them as is and bring in your microwave instead. Finally, add shelves, plenty of organizers, and motion sensor lighting for those late-night snack runs.