Materials: Stolmen
Description: I live in a small flat and wanted to try and use as little floor space as possible when fitting my plasma.
I had already bought a wall bracket with my 50" plasma so fitted that to the two cross bars with "U" bolts from B & Q. The TV then fitted on the bracket as normal.
As well as this I wanted unit to hide a wall radiator plus take an X-box, sound bar, magazine rack, DVD and have storage.
Managed all and it looks good too.
Used two poles, two half depth shelves, three shoe racks, four cross poles and a couple of hooks.
Mounted the TV as shown above with the wall bracket and "U" bolts.
Only drilling involved was the holes for the u-bolts in the bracket and to mount the DVD
Just above the radiator I fitted one shelf tight to the wall and the other high up again tight against the wall but adjusted the height as required when finished. I then fitted one of the shoe racks vertical above the lower shelf butting up to it.
The TV was then fitted to just touch the upper edge.
Below the shelf the second show rack was fitted to take take magazines, books etc.
Below that was fitted the third show rack again vertical and used to fit a sound bar. On the upper shoe rack was fitted an LG Floating DVD player with the cables pulled to the back after drilling holes.(1 hole for a wire still to do!)
One of the two remaining poles was fitted behind the lower shoe rack to stop it rotating with the weight of the sound bar. The last pole is still to be fitted but will be fitted above the upper shelf to help as the back of a DVD rack.
All cables are out of sight with the x-box tucked away at the back but with good access.
Only cables in sight are one supply to a 4 gang socket and one aerial which are both white and match the wall.
The radiator is still used but with the shelf above it the air flow and thus heat output are down but the flat is still warm so no problems that way.
Hope you like!!!!
~ Chief
Really cool!
ReplyDeleteVery slick. I like it.
ReplyDeleteAre the poles tension mounted?
ReplyDeleteHi, the poles are standard units from IKEA which extend and twist lock at the top. All the weight with the exception of the top shelf are on the lower pole which is the solid section and takes all the weight and thus transfers it to the floor.
DeleteI really hope that radiator is no longer in use.
ReplyDeleteMounting a shelf directly on top of a radiator and blocking the airflow to it could get bad real fast.
(Mold, fire hazard, excess heat melting electronics, etc.)
Otherwise, it looks great.
What is that multi-speaker unit called, and where can I get one?
I just re read the post, and the radiator is being used.
DeleteI would move the entire unit away from the radiator, but if that isn't an option, at least allow for better air flow.
I suggest that you move the shelf away from the top of the radiator, open a gap between the shelf and the wall and install an angled piece of sheet metal above the radiator to move the rising air to one side of the unit.
That should prevent the area behind the unit from getting to hot, and also keep the rising hot air from overheating your electronics.
After all, almost every piece of AV gear on the market is air cooled. Hot air doesn't cool very well.
Hi, thanks for the advice. I had concerns when I fitted it as that is the main radiator for the flat. The shoe rack that is used to hold magazines etc has a large lip at the upper edge which touches the wall and stops the heat being directed onto the upper shelf above. The rack gets warm and thus acts as radiator too but not dangerously hot. At times I have thought of adding a lower fan but never did. The flat is still warm and its been up for two years.
DeleteThe speaker is from LOGIC3 and looks good but is not a direct replacement for a 5:1 system but I hate the idea of loads of wires and is OK for a small flat, think you can see it on utube.
That looks awesome! Are the poles tension mounted? If so, how sturdy is it? I have three kids under the age of 5...
ReplyDeleteWhen you are not sure if this IKEA solution is sturdy enough for your needs (which is possible if you have three little children), you would want to replace the Stolmen parts with safety railing fittings and pipe.
DeleteYou can see an example on our project page here.
So can you can fix the bases to the floor/ceiling and everything will be VERY stury.
By using other additional fittings you can build nearly the same construction as Chief did.
Can I do this without any drilling in walls or ceiling?
DeleteCan you buy Stolmen pieces ad hoc? I don't see any combinations on the IKEA web site that include the exact pieces you're using--particularly the extra horizontal poles.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
Deletehttp://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom/19109/
DeleteHere is the right link
I planned it all out on a bit of paper with the IKEA book on my lap. Then ordered all the bits on-line so never actually went to IKEA.
DeleteTools needed were a small battery drill, couple of screw drivers and an adjustable spanner (shifter). You do get wall brackets with the poles to attach the poles to the wall at the lower end but I didn't want to drill into the wall so never fitted them. If you have kids then a good idea. The only drilling was six hole in the ceiling to fit the two poles, and a couple of holes to take the LG Floating DVD, I also chain drilled a large hole out to pass the HDMI plug through for the DVD, one cable above the DVD that can be seen in the picture still has to be routed.
Loving this idea, im guessing your uk based? what was your overall cost of the project, i see the upright poles are £20 each, one of the best bits of this project is the fact that its completly customizable to the individual, really do love it, would like to do the same and keep it cost effective
ReplyDeleteHi, glad you like and yes I am in the UK.
DeleteJust been looking at the pic's I posted and at the on-line IKEA site. Costs work out as
Upright poles, 2pce x £20 = £40
Shelf (110 x 38cm), 2pce x £15 = £30
Shoe rack(110cm), 3pce x £14 = £42
Cloth rail(110cm), 4pce x £5 = £20
Hooks 2pce x £2 = £4
Clamps with two holes, 4pce = £8 (1pck)
Clamps with one hole, 14pce = £16 (4pck)
IKEA total = £158
Other items
U-bolts to fit cloth rail and hold bracket
Wall bracket for Plasma
Multi gang extension so only one supply wire
Logic3 speaker, Amazon = £150
LG Floating DVD = £140 approx
Plasma = Up to you
The two upper clamps you can see with two hols were at one point going to be used to fit black bendy loghts on the B & Q were selling cheap but missed out as had to go away. May fit lights yet or two more hooks.
Lower bar (cloth rail) is behind the shoe rack the soundbar is mounted on as it is heavy.
Hope that helps
Chief
This is on lifehacker now. Congratulations. Here the link http://lifehacker.com/5890036/mount-your-hdtv-on-a-set-of-floor+to+ceiling-poles-keep-your-wall-hole+free
ReplyDeletevery handy work sir
ReplyDeleteWhat sound bar is that? how does it sound?
ReplyDeleteIt is by LOGIC3 unit. I am sure a 5:1 unit with speakers round a room sounds better but its only a small flat so it suits me. If you look on u-tube I am sure there is a test of it on that Logic3 Soundstage. Reason I went for it was looks, size, cost plus no wires on the floor.
DeleteDid you drill or screw anything into the ceiling?
ReplyDeleteYes, used the screws supplied with the poles. Three per pole screwed into the ceiling. You also get brackets for the bottom but never used these. Been up two years and never moved.
DeleteChief
This is awesome. Would it work/look good with a 37" tv?
ReplyDeleteWhy not? Just plan it out on a bit of paper. Look around for something to use the space at the sides of the TV for, speakers or lights or dvd's, its up to you.
ReplyDeleteChief
Since building the above audio stand it has now two Xbox hand units attached when not in use next to the DVD player and a few more DVD's. The equipment still works with no problems caused by the radiator below.
ReplyDeleteI have still got to get rid of that one power cable that can be seen above the DVD, have the plug just not the time!!!
Chief
Hi, it has been some time since I posted the pictures of how I had used the Ikea Stolmen system to mount my plasma TV plus and other items.
ReplyDeleteIt's been interesting to note that one comment made on an other site took everyone's focus away from what I had done, and focused on "holes in the walls" and the use of "toothpaste" to repair them!!
Just to put the record straight, my reasons for mounting my plasma like this where:-
It was new studio flat, so limited floor space so this allowed minimum use of the floor
Because of the electrical socket and TV socket positions that wall was the ideal location
The radiator couldn't be moved so built over it after a lot of thought.
With regards keeping the wall hole-free, no idea which half-wit came up with that, an American hackers site seems to of started that one along with the use of toothpaste to repair them! This could be why a lot of American houses get blown to bits with a small gust of wind, no screws and held together with toothpaste. Still wonder if they ever did put a man on the moon.
Anyway the poles are screwed to the ceiling and not just with the screws provided, it just so happened that they matched up with the roof joists so used nice long chunky ones.
True, its not screwed to the floor or wall but only because I live alone and its a crash pad so no kids or pets bumping into it. I have the Ikea wall brackets but have just never used them. In three years it has not moved and the electrical items are not effected by heat as the lower shelf stops the heat going up. Ok I do have reduced heating but the flat is never cold so not a problem. If I felt the need or had concerns then I would have no problems attaching the wall brackets but after three years they are still gathering dust. Would agree if I lived in a flat with uneven floors, problem walls or was prone to earthquakes then I would of got something free-standing.
It suits the flat and my lifestyle so I am happy.
Chief