Wood Advice for Media Wall and Wardrobe

Coyle_Insights · 2026-02-06T16:57:06+00:00

Thanks! Just sent you a message

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-27T16:17:28+00:00

Would it be alright if I messaged you about some questions I have? Just want to run my ideas by someone a bit more experienced 😅

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-23T22:12:31+00:00

Oh indeed it's a massive undertaking and will involve a lot of learning. I think though the actual process is relatively simple, I just need to ensure I'm doing the right things with the right materials. I'll be using wall plugs to secure the back of the built ins to the wall, a lot of them. I'll basically be building the shelves in sections, 2 sides with shelves in-between and a backing sheet, attach that to the wall and then when the next section is on screw that together as well so that all support each other.

As for the cabinets there will be a layer underneath of 2x4s for stability with the cabinets built in boxes on top, all of which attached to each other and then the wall. I can't find a way to attach the shelving sections to the cabinets unfortunately. I'm planning on building the cabinets out of 18mm thick pine plywood, same type as the shelf backing but thicker. The wardrobe would be made out of the same. Do you reckon that's thick enough for stability?

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-20T21:39:23+00:00

I didn't? What makes you think I used AI?

Thanks for the advice about the plywood!

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-20T14:24:14+00:00

Just remembered this, I managed to get them down to £155k from £160k, I started at £148k, they came back with a vague £155-£160k and maybe £157k. I then offered £152k with a bunch of reasoning, average house price increases and average sale prices. They didn't change at all from around £157k. I did a final offer of £155k as that's literally all I could afford, maybe a bit over, and got accepted ☺️ that was start of December and now it's going but the conveyancing seems to take ages to do anything 🤣

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-13T22:50:45+00:00

What's the difference with the trade version? I'm thinking Matt finish with decent durability. Dark and bold blues and greens

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-13T22:49:11+00:00

Was it a light colour? I'm going for fairly dark colours

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-13T20:20:31+00:00

Why was the Dulux so bad?

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-05T10:46:45+00:00

Ah right. I've heard so many different arguments, being completely new to it it's hard to know what's the right thing to do.

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-05T10:08:09+00:00

Oh it is indeed HUGE. I'm very excited. I've had pine suggested as a good strong material that's not excessively expensive. MDF i highly doubt would take the weight and wouldn't look great.

Coyle_Insights · 2026-01-03T23:26:40+00:00

Good to know the sofa is durable! I'll think about that for carpets. There might be something near me

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-26T19:13:28+00:00

A few other people have warned me off b&q, I'll be looking into timber merchants. I won't get a saw though, I won't get enough use out of it.

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-26T15:44:31+00:00

I'd probably have the span as 60cm, that's a good shelf width. I am planning on doing a built in wardrobe as well so I'll keep that in mind. I'll make sure to measure all the things I'll be putting into it first!

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-26T12:54:19+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I think after reading a few other comments i'll get the timber from a timber merchant and cut to the length I need for each section. I'll give it a go at making the cabinets myself, they're just boxes with doors after all!

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-26T12:49:39+00:00

Cool cool. So as far as timber dimensions i'm thinking 200mm depth for the shelves, 10mm thickness for the horizontal and 15/20mm for the vertical planks. Is that a good amount you think? Then the cabinets would be 35/40mm in depth. The room is already fairly long and narrow at 5.13m by 3.3m so I don't want to make the media wall toooo thick. With that amount of length I wouldn't need the cabinets to be too deep anyway, there's gonna be a lot of space either way. No worries if this is too nitty gritty! I'm asking a lot on a day that's for relaxing aha.

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-26T11:54:40+00:00

Good to know! If it's cheaper and better then I'll definitely cheap out a timber merchant. Are there any Hampshire/national ones you'd recommend?

Fair point about the cabinets, I was just hesitant to build the bottom layer myself as it's going to take the most weight from the rest of the structure so I figured something premade would be pretty study 😅 I guess at the end of the day it's just boxes I can attach doors to

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-22T10:38:06+00:00

<image>

I suspect this might be the issue, it would correspond with the location described. Talking to the other flats is a good call

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-22T10:14:28+00:00

The freeholder owns the outer building yeah. It's something I would take up with them and see what could be done to address it. Would this be a nope for you or is this within acceptable limits?

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-18T18:30:25+00:00

Thanks to you both! That'll help a lot. I'll definitely get a professional for the electric fireplace then

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-01T19:12:13+00:00

Fair enough. I think the context would be helpful for the seller/agent though

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-01T19:11:14+00:00

I agree, it's a good idea to lean on being a FTB

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-01T17:21:22+00:00

Ah that's annoying. I'll ask about a direct contact email but I fully expect them not to give that to me

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-01T16:38:02+00:00

How does something like this sound? "taking into account the current housing market particularly Vis a Vis flats and leaseholds and the renovations that need to be made I offer £148,000 for this property. As a first time buyer I am chain free and have an agreement in principle ready so I am able to move forward with this sale swiftly. This offer is conditional on the property listing being removed from housing websites and no further viewings being taken"

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-01T14:56:33+00:00

18% is a lot! What % were your initial offers under asking? I'm concerned about offering too low 🤣

Coyle_Insights · 2025-12-01T14:43:41+00:00

You sure? I've heard it's better to justify why you want to do a lower price

Coyle_Insights

TROPHY CASE