An entertainment center is a piece of furniture designed to house consumer electronic appliances and components, such as televisions.
Entertainment centers can be as unique or conventional as you want, but knowing what’s out there is as important as designing the space. Discover the different types of entertainment centers to find the right one for your space, whether you're looking for a classy credenza, a spacious media chest or armoire, or a sleek TV stand.
Types of Entertainment Units :
Entertainment Centers -
Also called wall units, entertainment centers are large pieces of furniture that usually surround and hold the TV. Often they contain drawers, cabinets, and shelves for storage of DVDs, media components, games, and more. Entertainment centers can be as tall as 72 inches and the width varies per unit. They are available in a variety of styles to match any décor. Due to their size, entertainment centers a more expensive option. However, the price varies greatly based upon materials and construction. They aren't ideal for small rooms, as their size will dominate the space.
TV Stands -
TV stands , or TV consoles, are one of the simplest pieces of entertainment furniture. They are long cabinets on which to place your TV. Generally TV stands feature additional storage (drawers, shelves, or cabinets) for DVDs, games, media components, and more. TV stands can hold most sizes of TVs, or you can mount your flat screen to the wall behind your stand. Triangular corner TV stands are also available if your room layout determines you need to place the TV in a corner. TV stands work well in rooms of all sizes.
Media Chests and Armoires -
These slender units take up less floor space and instead use vertical space to store the TV and other accessories. TV armoires and media chests are ideal for small spaces where vertical storage is necessary.
- In TV armoires , the TV is often contained in a cabinet with doors, which conceal the TV when its not in use. TV armoires are one of the tallest options.
- Media chests (left) resemble tall dressers, but have shelves for easy storage and access to media components, such as DVD players or cable boxes.
Entertainment Fireplaces -
Entertainment fireplaces do double duty as both a TV stand and fireplace. An electric fireplace below adds heat and personality to a space, while the shelf above is ideal for a TV. Entertainment fireplaces are ideal for spaces without a mantel or fireplace, such as a secondary family room, game room, or basement.
Options for Flat Screen Televisions -
If you have a flat screen TV, you can still find a TV stand or unit that will allow you to mount the TV on the wall. If you still want the look and feel of a unit, opt for an entertainment center that allows you to mount the TV to it. If you are looking for a smaller piece of furniture, try a TV stand with flat screen panel mounts .
Entertainment Unit Styles :
Entertainment units come in all styles, so you're sure to find one that matches your existing décor. Identify your room's style and select a unit in that same style so it doesn't clash. Also, if you already have wood furniture in your room, you can, but don't have to, find a unit in a matching wood shade. Here are some characteristics of popular entertainment unit styles:
- Contemporary units are often made of metal or glass. They feature clean, crisp lines and very little ornamentation.
- Modern units also feature crisp, clean lines, but are generally made of wood.
- Traditional units are generally made of wood and often feature crown molding at the top of the unit and turned legs at the bottom.
- Country or cottage units are usually made of lighter wood or feature a distressed painted finish.
Measurements to Know :
Measure Your Television
- Before making a purchase, measure your TV. The size of your TV (the size written on the TV box) is based on the diagonal measurement from corner to corner. This number (in inches) will be helpful as you shop because most TV stands or entertainment centers will denote which size TV they can hold.
- Also measure the height (from stand to top of the frame) and width (from the end of the TV frame) of your TV. If you are purchasing a unit, you should know these measurements and compare them to the TV opening in the unit.
- Finally, if your TV isn't a flat screen or plasma, measure the depth of your TV to ensure if will fit comfortably on or in your entertainment center without any overhang.
Non-Television Centered Entertainment Spaces :
Not all spaces for entertaining have to be centered around a television. If it's more your style to allow guests a space to sit and talk, finding the right sectional or credenza could be what you’re aiming for. In a flowing room, you can easily talk with people.
However you want to define your entertainment centers and living spaces, your room should reflect both style and functionality.
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