When Courtney shared the before-and-after photos of her entertainment center transformation, we knew it was worth showing off. Her approach is practical, affordable, and stylish—exactly the kind of DIY that improves a space without breaking the bank. Here’s the note she sent describing her process:
YHL always inspires me because you find ways to tweak or repurpose what you already have rather than blow the budget on something expensive. I’m not a fan of clutter and have tried multiple ways to hide the shame that is my DVD collection inside the entertainment center. I once covered the glass doors with wrapping paper, but that made it awkward to access my remotes for the cable box and DVD players. Then I spotted some scrapbook cut-outs at Michael’s and thought they would make perfect stencils. I removed the wrapping paper and adhered the cut-outs to the glass using 3M General Purpose 45 Spray Adhesive so they would stay put while I worked. To protect the wood frame I wrapped plastic bags around the edges, and then I applied Rust-Oleum Specialty Frosted Glass spray in a semi-transparent finish. I applied about two wet-on-wet coats. Within ten minutes the finish was dry enough to use, and the remotes still work through the new frosted surface. The result hides the clutter but keeps the setup functional. Thanks so much for the inspiration—your projects motivate me to make my rental feel more like home. – Courtney
Here’s one side of her entertainment center before the transformation. You can see the right-side door clearly; that’s where the wrapping paper had been covering the glass. The left door already had the stencil stuck in place but hadn’t been sprayed yet.
And here is the same area after Courtney removed the stencils and finished the frosted glass treatment. The transformation is subtle but impactful: the DVDs and electronics are now obscured, the look reads much cleaner and more intentional, and the doors retain full remote control functionality.
This solution is both functional and attractive. Frosted glass is an easy way to conceal visual clutter while still maintaining usability for infrared remote controls. Courtney’s use of scrapbook cut-outs as stencils is a smart repurposing of inexpensive materials, and spraying in a semi-transparent finish preserves a sense of depth rather than turning the doors into opaque panels. The plastic-covered edges and careful application kept the wood frames clean and intact during the process.
Small, thoughtful updates like this can elevate an entire piece of furniture. Instead of replacing the entertainment center or investing in custom cabinetry, a quick frosted-glass treatment made the unit look more polished and high-end. The project also highlights how DIY solutions can be adapted for rental-friendly spaces: the spray can be removed later if needed, and the technique itself is inexpensive and reversible compared with permanent renovations.
We love that Courtney documented not only the result but also the practical steps she used—protecting surrounding surfaces, securing stencils so they don’t shift, and applying multiple light coats of frosted glass spray for a uniform look. Those details make a big difference in the finished product. If you’re considering a similar update, plan to mask edges, use light even coats, and allow brief drying time between layers to avoid drips or uneven coverage.
What do you think of this transformation? Did Courtney’s frosting technique inspire you to tackle your own entertainment center doors or glass-front storage units? This is a great example of how a small creative intervention can have a big visual payoff while keeping the space practical and remote-friendly.
Psst—if you enjoyed this, consider looking for step-by-step tutorials on frosting glass and similar DIY projects for more tips and ideas to adapt these techniques to your home.