Build your own TV lift - The big DIY guide Wood, shutter motor, lifting columns, mechanical etc
A TV lift conceals the TV in the furniture and moves it out quietly when required. In this article, we show you how to build a TV lift yourself - from the basic version with lifting columns and a manual TV lift to building your own TV lift with a roller shutter motor and building your own wooden TV lift. You will also receive practical instructions on how to build your own TV lift, including professional tips from the TV lift specialists at Flatlift & Lineardirect.eu (LINAK lifting column set).
Why build a TV lift yourself?
- Cost-efficient: DIY is cheaper than high-end prefabricated systems.
- Customized: Perfect fit for your furniture, sideboard, bed footboard or media wall.
- Invisible & clean: The TV disappears into the furniture - minimalist sense of space.
- Smart home-ready: Convenient control via app, button or home control.
Overview of components
- Lifting column / linear actuator: raises and lowers the TV (e.g. LINAK DL11 / DL11XL in DIY set).
- Standard TV mount (VESA): connects TV and lifting column.
- Guide / housing: stable, low-vibration embedding in the furniture.
- Control box & operating elements: Handheld transmitter, push-button, Bluetooth/app.
- End positions / safety: clean stops, anti-trap concept, cable routing.
Good to know: Electrically operated lifting columns are best suited for large TVs (65" to 98") - quiet, self-locking and can be controlled synchronously.
Comparison of variants
1) Manual TV lift (mechanical)
- Crank, gas spring or latching mechanism.
- Advantage: very inexpensive, no power connection required.
- Disadvantage: not very convenient, only suitable to a limited extent for large TVs (from 55").
2) Build your own TV lift with shutter motor
- Technically feasible, but rather noisy and without integrated anti-trap protection.
- Only for experienced DIY enthusiasts with metalworking skills and a safety concept.
3) TV lift with lifting columns (recommendation)
- Electric lifting columns (e.g. LINAK) in the Flatlift/Lineardirect DIY set.
- Advantages: quiet, powerful, self-locking, can be controlled in parallel, app/Bluetooth operation possible.
- Application range: 65", 75", 77", 80", 85", 90" to 98" TVs - depending on the design.
DIY TV lift instructions - step by step
Planning
- Define internal dimensions: Plan TV height + bracket + safety clearance (top/bottom ~15-30 mm each).
- Determine lift path: visible extension height = free TV height + flap path (only if TV can be rotated) + safety reserve of 2-5 cm max.
- Determine weight: Consider TV + bracket + panels, select lifting columns accordingly.
- Furniture construction: Provide floor or rear wall screw connection, direct forces cleanly into the carcass. If necessary, reinforce the base plate in the area of the TV lift stand in the furniture base (9-12 mm wood / multiplex board or 5-6 mm steel plate possible).
- Floor mounting: Leave a cut-out in the furniture base (plinth) and place the furniture over the lifting column. The TV mount should then be installed later.
- TV lift base plate: Use a steel or wooden base plate and attach the TV lift to it. You can then place the furniture or couch on the enlarged base plate to achieve the desired stability.
- TV lift installation with underfloor heating: If you have underfloor heating, it is not possible to attach the TV lift to the floor. In this case, we also recommend a wooden or steel base plate, which is either angled at 90° at the rear. This allows you to place the base plate on the floor and screw it to the wall at the back. If this is not possible, you can also glue the TV lift system to the floor using silicone or Würth mounting adhesive over a large area under the base plate. This has already been done hundreds of times and it works perfectly. We have received a lot of positive feedback from customers.
- Place the TV lift behind a piece of furniture: Position the furniture slightly away from the wall and simply attach the lifting column to the wall. Using simple metal brackets, you can remove the lifting column so that it is simply screwed to the wall through your brackets. After attaching the TV to the lifting column set, push the furniture back in front of the wall (in front of the TV lift system) with a safety clearance of approx. 1-2 cm.
Mechanics & assembly
- Position the lifting column: Screw it to the furniture floor or rear wall using wood screws (Spax) or steel screws (make the supporting surfaces flat and torsion-resistant).
- Mount standard TV bracket: Screw the VESA hole pattern to the top plate of the lifting column.
- Guide/shaft: Not required. The lifting columns are stable enough.
- Top flap: Hinged flap/lid or concealed fitting (push-to-open); check clearance when extending.
Electrics & controls
- Position control box: dry, ventilated area in the furniture (provide access for servicing).
- Wiring: Connect lifting column → control box, mains connection, operating element (button/handheld transmitter/app).
- Commissioning: Reference run/initialization, check stroke, fine-tune end positions.
- Function check: Test flap release, cable strain relief, emergency stop/blocking scenario. => All lifting column sets also have anti-collision which can be adjusted.
- Stroke setting: You can limit the stroke upwards and downwards very easily using software and set movement speeds and anti-collision sensitivity
Note: If you are building with wood(build your own TV lift with wood): pay attention to carcass stability, screwing in solid or multiplex zones and clean edges. For large TVs, install a steel/aluminum inner frame if necessary.
Build your own footboard with TV lift
Installation at the foot of the bed is popular: the TV rises from a platform. Important are:
- Tilt safety: wide base, anchoring to the floor or wall.
- Cable routing: drag chain or loop with strain relief.
- Folding mechanism: Lid opens in the direction of travel, no collision with TV edges.
Swivel function for the extended TV
CNC-machined swivel heads (optional) are available for DL11/DL11XL for viewing several seating areas:
- Manual rotation with 5° detent - reliably holds the TV in position.
- Mounted on top of the lifting column, VESA mount can still be used.
- Provide structural reinforcements for large diagonals (up to 98").
Smart home & app operation
- App control: Flatlift/LINAK app, Bluetooth options.
- Home controls: Connection via potential-free contacts/relays (e.g. KNX, Loxone, Wago, PLC, Crestron).
- Scenes: "Cinema", "Guests", "Sleep" - automated sequences (extending, dimming lights, shutters).
Sizes & loads - what is realistic?
With the right lifting columns and a stable furniture body, you can safely lift TVs in the following sizes out of the furniture:
- 65 inch - 75 inch - 77 inch - 80 inch - 85 inch - 90 inch - 98 inch
It is important to ensure that the load assumptions are correct (TV weight incl. brackets/panels) and that the lifting column matches the load.
Build your own wooden TV lift - practical tips
- Choice of material: Multiplex / MDF with backed solid wood bars for screw connection points.
- Screw connections: Countersunk head screws + large washers; use steel brackets for high loads.
- Vibration: Soft decoupling strips (EPDM/PU) between lifting column and body.
- Maintenance: Provide service opening/removable rear panel.
Safety & best practices
- Anti-trap concept: Edge radii, spacers, no sharp gaps.
- End position check: test upper/lower stop, regular function tests.
- Cable routing: never pull, generous radii, kink protection.
- Ventilation: TV electronics require air exchange (ventilation slots/double floor).
Cost examples (without furniture construction)
| Set | Set contents | Suitable for | Price range* |
|---|---|---|---|
| l | Lifting column + control box + hand-held transmitter | 55-65" | approx. 350-750 € |
| xL | XL lifting column + Bluetooth + TV mounting plate | 70-85" | approx. 700-1,450 € |
| xXL | XL lifting column + CNC turning head + app control | 85-98" | approx. 1,200-1,500 € |
*Guide values - depending on lift length, load capacity, control unit, accessories.
FAQ - Build your own TV lift (short answers)
Build your own TV lift: Is it possible without welding?
Yes, with bolted steel/aluminum brackets and stable furniture construction.
Is a standard TV mount sufficient?
Yes, VESA brackets are screwed to the top plate of the lifting column.
Roller shutter motor or lifting column?
Lifting columns are quieter, self-locking, safer and more convenient - a clear recommendation.
Can I connect a room control unit?
Yes, via relays/potential-free contacts and/or app/Bluetooth.
DIY with support - Lineardirect.eu
- DIY sets with lifting columns, controls and operating elements.
- Advice on stroke, load capacity, body structure and safety.
- CNC rotations for manual 5° latching rotation function on top of DL11/DL11XL.
- Components for TV sizes up to 98".
With minimal effort, a little metal/wood know-how and the right components, any end user and DIY builder can build a high-quality TV lift themselves.
Conclusion
Whether you build your own TV lift, build your own foot section with TV lift, build your own manual TV lift, build your own roller shutter motor TV lift or build your own wooden TV lift - with lifting columns, a standard TV mount, a well-designed mechanism and smart controls, you can achieve a professional result. The optional CNC rotations with 5° detent make the solution even more flexible. For planning, components and support, the TV lift specialists at Flatlift/Lineardirect.eu are at your side with the LINAK lifting column set.
View TV lift self-assembly set now!
CNC rotations for Flatlift self-assembly sets
Don't fancy building your own TV lift?
Order ready-made TV lift systems from Flatlift via Lineardirect now
