Turn An Old TV Monitor Into The Cutest Indoor Plant Display

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Plant parents know the struggle of finding the right plant stand — that one's too tall, that one is too short, that one's too wide, that one doesn't let the plant get enough light. And let's not even get started about finding an interesting design that complements your decor, right? Not anymore. You can turn an old CRT TV into a customized, stylish plant display.

After removing the CRT tube from the TV, you can then decorate the inside and outside of the empty case to create a new home for your plants. The beauty of making your own indoor plant stand with this creative DIY is that you can customize it to what your plants need. Want more light? Add in UV lights. Have shady plants that don't love the sun? The walls of the display can help limit sunlight. And the customizability of this DIY ensures you can not only reuse an old TV around your house, but turn it into a stunning statement piece that will catch every guest's eye.

The first step of this DIY is removing the TV's bulbous screen. While this looks fairly straightforward, it can be dangerous. Why? Cathode ray tube (aka CRT) televisions use an electron gun to shoot electrons at the screen through a vacuum. When they hit the glass screen, they expand to create the image. These CRTs also contain a lot of toxins, namely anywhere from 2 to 8 pounds of lead, as well as mercury, especially in color TVs. If the tube is broken or handled improperly, you could be exposed to lead dust or mercury. The other potential issue is the vacuum inside the tube itself. If it isn't broken in precisely the right manner, it could implode, then burst out of the tube, scattering shards of glass. Finally, CRTs typically contain a high voltage capacitor that has the potential to retain a dangerous amount of energy, causing electrocution.

Because this removal is so specialized and potentially dangerous, we recommend taking the TV to a licensed TV repairman or electrician instead of doing it yourself. Yes, it will cost more than DIYing it, but the safety risks simply aren't worth it. Prices for this service may vary. The cost will likely include the local recycling fee (somewhere in the ballpark of $30 to $50) and their hourly rate for labor. Make sure to ask the repair shop to preserve the TV case itself for your plant display.

Once you have the empty TV case, let's build your plants' new home. Start by prepping the background and shelf liner for your plants to sit on. A thin piece of plywood or thick cardstock works great here, but don't be afraid to use what you have. Add a light layer of paint (sand the plywood first if needed) and let dry. To add a little personality, trace polka dots or use a stencil to add a pattern, then paint in.

While this is drying, decorate the outside. If your TV case is plastic, use a nylon scouring pad or 600- to 1000-grit sandpaper to remove the clear protective layer. Scrub lightly in one direction until white dust appears, then wipe clean. Next, add a thin coat of plastic primer, like Rust-Oleum Plastic Primer Spray. Once dry, add one to two light coats of spray paint, then a clear sealant. If your TV frame is wood, sand it down and apply a wood primer, then your paint. For a matte look, apply two coats of chalk paint and seal it. For a little more shimmer, reach for a wood-friendly satin paint.

Then, add the finishing touches. Install the shelf and back panel, then UV lights if needed. We recommend lights that secure to the ceiling of the display, like LORDEM Grow Lamp for Indoor Plants, to provide plenty of light without the visual clutter. To bring the '80s retro aesthetic to your room, use metallic spray paint to add shine to the dials and other hardware. Then set your plants up in their new home and enjoy.