Custom IKEA Media Centers – Designed for Under $1,500

Think your media center will look ordinary if you don’t spend a fortune? Think again!

According to Fixr, the average cost of a built-in entertainment center is $5,000—on the low end. We suggest having a professional design your setup for just $395 and keep the IKEA materials cost below $1,500. We design these media masterpieces daily, and they all look like you spent way more than $5,000.

Why should you take a look at these IKEA media centers?

We’ve got two reasons:

1. You have a low budget. Guess what? You still deserve a well-designed media center that fits your needs.
2. You can spend less. If your budget is at that national average of $5,000 or more, you can get a custom media center design and have money left over for some nice speakers—or a trip to Aruba!

IKEA Media Center #1

We designed this media center to work in a room designated as office space for IKD customer Robert. He desired a warm color palette with shelving and storage to create a relaxing space when the TV was on and a Zen atmosphere when the TV was off.

IKD designer Frank used BODARP gray-green doors and VALDHOLMA storage to provide the earth tones that Robert was drawn to. A shock of solar orange Formica, reminiscent of a sunrise or sunset, provided the tabletop and background for the entertainment center. He used a Semihandmade shelf for storage above the TV.

A unique addition is the floor-to-ceiling cabinet, which Frank designed using a 15”W x 24”D x 90”H IKEA cabinet frame trimmed to 15”D. Encasing the structure in the BODARP gray-green panel gives the media center a cohesive look.

The total cost for this IKEA media center (materials only) was $1,156.

Would you rather?

This pre-built entertainment center from Birch Lane has similar components and is priced at more than $2,000—and that’s without the added benefit of a custom design.

Would you rather spend $2,000 on a pre-built design or $1,156 on a custom design?

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IKEA Media Center #2

Our customers for this media center design wanted a movie theater experience in their living room. That meant they would need some extra money (and shelving) for speakers. IKD designer Mike provided a custom entertainment center with an attractive furniture look.

Using VALDHOLMA wine storage as everyday storage took this media center from boxy and boring to unique and exciting. Mike combined the VALDHOLMA storage with two IKEA kitchen cabinets, AXSTAD matte-blue doors, and a PINNARP butcher block countertop. A floating shelf by Semihandmade completes the look.

The total cost for this IKEA media center (IKEA materials only) was $1,072.

Would you rather?

This similar, mass-produced Raymour & Flanigan TV stand is on sale for more than $1,700.

Would you rather spend $1,700 on a pre-built design or $1,072 on a custom design?

IKEA Media Center #3

Some people love alcoves, and some hate them. No matter how you feel, all recesses present an excellent opportunity for custom-designed built-in furniture. Rebecca, our customer for this design, never liked the alcove in her finished basement. She got the idea to convert it into a built-in entertainment center that would work both as a gathering space for the kids and adult get-togethers.

IKD designer Meyer, designed a media center with a light color palette using LACK shelving and AXSTAD door fronts. The upper cabinets consisted of five 18”W x 15”D x 30”H trimmed to 30”H. He also cut the bottom cabinets so they would reach 30” in height exactly once the ÖSARP stainless steel legs and Semihandmade countertop were added.

The additional LACK shelving off to the side serves as extra storage while tying into the white upper cabinets, making the media center look more cohesive.

The total cost for this IKEA media center (IKEA materials only) was $1,281.

Would you rather?

This design by MerakiLivingOhio on Etsy has a similar look but costs more than $10,000.

Would you rather spend $10,000 on a custom media center design or $1,281?

Key Takeaway

These are just three examples of custom media centers we’ve designed using IKEA products, all for less than $1,500. Our IKEA media center designs look expensive and fit our clients’ homes and aesthetics to a T.

Why spend more if you don’t have to?