Select Storage
Unless you live in a college dorm, you’ll want somewhere attractive to put your new TV, speakers and components. There are many storage options: large wooden entertainment cabinets; sleek, modern shelving units; and articulating wall mounts, to name a few. An entertainment cabinet is ideal for multipurpose entertainment rooms when the room is being used for activities other than watching movies, you can close the doors to conceal the TV, DVD player and speakers. If you’d rather show off your gear, go for an audio/video stand consisting of open shelving. Because all the equipment is exposed, the signals from your remote control can get to the components, something that’s tougher to accomplish with a traditional wooden cabinet. (You may need to add an infrared repeater system or swap your current infrared remote for a radio frequency–based clicker to get the signal past the wooden doors.)

Regardless of which style of A/V storage you select, there are a few key features to look for. First and foremost, make sure that the cabinet or shelving unit can comfortably accommodate your equipment. Measure the width, height and depth of your TV, DVD player, and speakers (if you plan to tuck in the front left-, right- and center-channel speakers). Extra storage space is a good thing too, in case you ever add new components to your system. Finding the perfect-size storage unit can frustrating, so if your budget allows, have a cabinetmaker craft something for you. You or your home theater designer will need to supply the cabinetmaker with the dimensions of every component and request that adequate ventilation and wiring chases be incorporated into the design. While you’re at it, have him build cavities for the front three speakers. Acoustic grille cloth can be applied over the front of each opening so the speakers disappear but the sound filters through. 

Beyond Basics
Once you have these basics in place, you can start adding accessories to your viewing space. Consider decorative sconces for the walls and tiny pin lights to define the perimeter of the room. Hang posters of your favorite movies, add a few throw pillows and blankets or display a favorite collection of memorabilia. These items will give your home theater a feeling of warmth and help express your personal style.

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Lisa Montgomery - Contributing Writer

Lisa Montgomery has been writing about home technology for 15 years, with a focus on the impact of electronics on a modern lifestyle.