Style In Stereo: Fine Design for Your Media Center
Conceal your media components in a console with contemporary or vintage flair
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern clean spaces and timeless vintage decor which makes for a unique eye. I work in Los Angeles but offer e-design services nationally. Visit my website and my blog at http://www.veneerdesigns.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an interior designer with a passion for modern... More »
Looking for a way to house your music and media equipment? So am I. Whether its a vintage stereo console or a new media center, here is an array of stylish options I've collected.
I have been on the hunt for a vintage stereo console or record player that resembles this cabinet for awhile. Some of these cabinets were designed with so much care that they are unique stand-alone pieces of art that can double as both a home for your media equipment and a console table.
by Amy Lau Design
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If I were to find a stereo cabinet with a nice shape to it, my goal would be to rehab the unit with some punchy color to give it a mid-century kick. On that note, be aware that if you are planning on repurposing a vintage stereo cabinet, you may have to clean out a lot of old technology such as non-functioning record players and tape decks to make room for your new media technology. You also may have to drill some holes in the back to accommodate wires.
by decordemon
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Truth be told, most of the units I'm finding on Craigslist or at thrift stores are of the gaudier laminate variety. I never would have thought to paint one cherry red and add white hardware to achieve a Regency Glamour look. Now that I am seeing this clever redo paired with the black paint and white greyhound statuettes, I can see new potential in previously rejected styles of vintage stereo cabinets.
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by SBaird Design
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| By default, I lean towards the Scandinavian wood designed stereo cabinets that work so well with today's modern technology and other modern furniture icons. How cute would a little unit like this look with a flat screen TV overhead? |
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| If you like the look of a stand-alone cabinet with doors to hide all of your stereo equipment, but don't gravitate to vintage, an armoire that has been modified with openings for wires and sliding doors for speakers can be just the answer. This gorgeous gold-leafed beauty is the centerpiece of the living room. |
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| Another fairly common solution is a minimalist, simply constructed open cabinet, available at most modern furniture stores. I like the simplicity of this solution, but keep in mind that wire management can become unsightly. |
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| Another view of a similarly designed cabinet shows how it seems to float on thin metal legs. |
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| If you are willing to spend some more bucks on a custom solution, an entire wall unit that incorporates shelving and drawers is ideal. A low-slung, long horizontal design beneath contrasting dark wall is a modern approach. |
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| A more traditional built-in unit occupies the entire wall with equally proportioned shelves on the top and classic cabinets along the bottom. |
If your floor plan allows for it, working your built-ins to house media/stereo equipment in under the stairs is a space saving and unusual route.
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by FORMA Design
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| One of my favorite solutions for housing stereo equipment incognito is a small built-in cabinet to the side of a fireplace. Back in the day, these were used as wet bars or for additional storage, but as more people mount their flat screen TVs above the fireplace, these cabinets are being repurposed to discreetly house AV equipment, with the wires to the TV hidden behind the drywall. |
Some sources for media cabinets include CB2, which offers this cute little white oak/white painted steel combo.
by DwellStudio
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Dwell Studio has just released a new line of furniture and one of the standout designs is this gold-leafed media cabinet. It reminds me of the armoire featured above.
If you can't find an original vintage stereo cabinet, Urban Outfitters will gladly sell you a reproduction for about the same price or even less than the originals go for.
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by Anthropologie
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| Perhaps a more rustic traditional version with plenty of drawers would be a better fit into your living room? There is a console out there for every style. More: See How TVs Are Passing the Designer Test Design Dilemma: Where to Put the Media Center? Fall Premiere Season: Where to Put Your TV |
Ideabook published on Oct. 15, 2011.
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