When I was a child there was no such thing as plastic! When I think back about things like that I am astonished at how far and how fast we, as people, progress. Nowadays, it seems like technology grows by leaps and bounds each and every day. Take something like a stereo, for example. Now they come with remote controls and are super-compact. In my day, though, stereos were gigantic! Are you old enough to remember that? Stereos were built into long cabinets that were considered sleek and stylish. They stood on four legs similar to old fashioned couch legs. Look at one of those old stereos now and the first thought you’re hit with is “How did I ever make room for it?” If you listen to one your first thought might be “How did I ever tolerate that sound quality?” Sure, stereos have certainly come a long way, and those old stereos are now replaced with up-to-date models, but that doesn’t mean those antique stereos are now useless. Do you have one down in your basement? Out in the garage covered with a dirty tarp? Drag that baby out and make something new and fabulous for your home! Whether you love the retro look, or you just need a project to keep you busy today, you’ll find just what you’re looking for when you track down that old, monstrous cabinet.
If you didn’t hang on to your old cabinet stereo you’ll be surprised to know that many places still sell them! You definitely won’t find them at your nearest Walmart but lots of the old stereos are still in existence. Shop at antique stores but don’t let the word “antique” scare you. Some antique stores sell the dime-a-dozen cabinets for next to nothing – particularly if the stereo itself no longer works. Also browse retro stores and consignment shops. Don’t think it’s too much trouble to track one down; once you get your hands on it you can make something unique, useful and fabulous in no time!
Almost all the old stereo cabinets were brown by design. The wooden cabinets were stained and varnished but rarely – if ever – painted in colors. The brown tones of the selected stereo might work for your color scheme at home, but if not, they can certainly be painted. It will require a large amount of work to accomplish. The stereo must first be stripped. Check local home improvement stores for the appropriate stripping product for the stereo. Follow package directions to strip the cabinet down to the original wood.
Sand any rough spots from the stripped cabinet. Primer and allow to dry at least the amount of time stated on the can. Paint the cabinet – give it at least two coats – then allow to dry thoroughly. At this time you can create other embellishments or use the cabinet as it is now that you’ve painted it. Some embellishment choices include wood burning, rub-ons or even rubber stamping. Use one of these techniques to create a theme or a certain look for the cabinet.
If you want to take the time to strip, paint and embellish the stereo, it can be quite a challenging project, but if you simply use the stereo in the condition it is found this project is super-quick. All you have to do is remove the legs then decide by what window you want to set it. The legs are not hard to remove. An ordinary screwdriver is all you need to loose then screws and remove the legs and hardware. The stereo makes a fabulous window seat for a living room, den or even a bedroom. The heavy cabinet keeps it from sliding around and the solid wood design makes it easy to accommodate the weight of more than one person. The old stereos had unique front designs that will add lots of interest to your new window seat. Make a pillow for it and you’ve completed the project of the day! Or, just by a body pillow and place it on top of the old stereo. The body pillows are sold at places that sell linens and is inexpensive. Just throw the new pillow aboard and you’ve created an unusual yet comfy window seat that all your guests will notice.
The old stereo cabinets had one or more lift-up doors that exposed the inside stereo. Some also had storage areas for albums and such. These doors work great for helping you create a storage area for blankets, pillows and more. If the stereo itself doesn’t work consider removing the components to store even more things.
You and your family will love the new seating area that’s so easy to make. It instantly changes an ordinary room and grabs attention. It’s also useful and comfortable to sit or lie on. Toss some throw pillows on top and you can add color, dimension and interest all at once. The finished seat doesn’t necessarily have to be placed by a window; make one that goes against the wall in a living room or den. They add extra seating in a hurry for a party or just to leave there year-round. Now, where did you put that old stereo of yours…
