Refurbishing an Old Media Cabinet Into a Modern Media Console (With Built-In Mini Fridge)

That old media cabinet had great bones—but everything else screamed early 2000s. Bulky towers, heavy trim, and a dark, shiny finish made it feel outdated and oversized for our space. I found this treasure on Facebook Marketplace and it was way more affordable than buying a new console, I never refurbished a bigger furniture piece like this, so I was very excited. I decided to completely refurbish it into a long, modern media console that could hold the TV and hide a built-in mini fridge inside the cabinets.
This project involved reshaping, sanding, painting, and even adding a granite top. It took time and patience, but the end result looks custom, luxurious, and completely transformed. If you’re comfortable with power tools and detailed prep work, this is a very rewarding intermediate DIY.

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Project Snapshot / Quick Facts

• Skill Level: Intermediate
• Time Requires: 2-3 Weekends
• Cost: ~$200-$400

Material & Tools List

Materials

• Old Furniture (e.g. Facebook Marketplace)
• Paint (Sherwin-Williams Urban Bronze or similar)
• Paint Stripper
• Sanding Pads
• Granite polishing pads
• Mini-Fridge (This fridge from Amazon was the only fridge with compressor and narrow enough)
• Brad nails
• Wood Glue
• Cabinet Handles (e.g. I love these bronze handles from Amazon)

Tools

• PPE (Hearing Protection, Gloves, Safety Glasses). Get my favorite (Pink) PPE from Amazon
• Measuring Tape (Amazon)
• Drill
• Miter Saw
• Circular Saw
• Sanding block
• Sander: Orbital Sander and Disc Sander (For faster sanding)
• Nail Gun
• Paint Sprayer

Step-by-Step Refurbishing

Step 1: Reshaping the Cabinet & Removing Dated Trim

The original cabinet featured bulky side towers and overly decorative trim that made it feel heavy and outdated. The first goal was to reshape it into a long, low-profile media console—similar in scale to a side table—so it would better suit a modern space and allow the TV to sit directly on top. To achieve this, I completely removed the tall side towers, cut away excess bulk to create a clean rectangular shape, and stripped off all dated trim and decorative details. I also reconfigured the interior to open up enough cabinet space to fit a mini fridge inside. Tip: Plan your final dimensions carefully before cutting, especially if you’re planning to install an appliance inside the cabinet.

Step 2: Sanding the Entire Cabinet (The Hardest Part)

This cabinet was made of particle board with a thin wood veneer and an extremely thick factory coating. Unfortunately, no chemical stripper worked effectively, which meant sanding was the only real option. Because the veneer layer is very thin, this step required patience and a careful approach. I used a triangle sander to reach the small crevices along the trim as best as possible, then followed up with a citrus-based stripper to help loosen any remaining finish. Since the cabinet would be painted, it didn’t need to be absolutely perfect—just smooth and well-prepped. For the main surfaces, I relied on an orbital sander. While it worked, the process was very time-consuming, and this is where better tools would have made a big difference. Important Lesson Learned:
A disc sander would have dramatically sped up this step. If you’re working with thick factory finishes, I highly recommend using a disc sander over an orbital sander whenever possible.

Step 3: Updating the Trim & Modernizing the Base

Once everything was sanded smooth, I focused on modernizing the base of the cabinet. The original bottom trim was bulky and visually heavy, so removing it immediately made the piece feel lighter and more current.

I installed a sleek, modern bottom trim, filled all seams and nail holes with wood filler, and then completed a final round of sanding to create a seamless, polished look. This step alone made a huge visual impact and instantly pushed the cabinet toward a more modern aesthetic.

Step 4: Installing the Granite Top

I still had leftover granite from our kitchen remodel, which made it the perfect material for the top of this media console. While cutting granite sounds intimidating, it’s completely doable with the right blade and a steady hand.

I used a diamond blade with a circular saw to make the cuts. The more challenging—and time-consuming—part was polishing the edges. I used granite polishing pads from Amazon, and while the process took forever, the result was more than good enough for a media console. The edges aren’t perfectly glossy, but they look clean, finished, and professional.

Step 5: Painting the Cabinet in Urban Bronze and Hardware Upgrade for a Luxe Finish

For a high-end, modern finish, I painted the entire cabinet in Urban Bronze. This rich, deep color instantly elevated the piece and gave it a custom, built-in feel. The transformation at this stage was dramatic, even before adding the final details.

To complete the look, I installed modern bronze cabinet handles. This small upgrade made a big difference, tying everything together and giving the console a luxurious, finished appearance.

Step 5: Installing the Mini Fridge (Surprisingly Difficult!)

Finding the right mini fridge turned out to be more challenging than expected, mainly because the cabinet isn’t very deep. Many compact fridges are thermoelectric, which don’t cool as effectively as compressor models. Since I specifically wanted a compressor-style mini fridge, options were limited. After a lot of searching, I found a narrow model from Amazon that fit perfectly—and it works exactly as needed.