8 Ideas for a Stylish Entertainment Center
Not sure how best to house your TV and its cables, boxes and related items? Let these solutions spark ideas
Your television and its related equipment may be well-used, but you might not want it to be the main feature in your room. Instead, what your screen sits on or in can be the star of the show when the TV is off. Designers on Houzz have devised creative solutions for housing the TV, including full-wall storage units, a home office-media wall and more.
In this creamy white, wood and beige family room by Ann Lowengart Interiors, a large-screen TV in a full-wall cabinetry unit is surrounded by open shelves displaying decorative objects, art and books. These provide plenty of visual interest, while a row of closed storage runs the length of the wall below.
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2. Disguise It With Paint
Strategic use of color can work to camouflage your screen. One of the homeowners who commissioned Golden Feathers Interiors to design this space loved watching TV while the other didn’t like having a screen in the kitchen.
The result is a sleek compromise. When the screen — which sits over a custom banquette and between two banks of shelving — is off, it can barely be seen, thanks to the rich dark blue. The deep color both hides the TV and ties into the kitchen cabinets and details such as the dining table legs, pulling the whole space together.
Strategic use of color can work to camouflage your screen. One of the homeowners who commissioned Golden Feathers Interiors to design this space loved watching TV while the other didn’t like having a screen in the kitchen.
The result is a sleek compromise. When the screen — which sits over a custom banquette and between two banks of shelving — is off, it can barely be seen, thanks to the rich dark blue. The deep color both hides the TV and ties into the kitchen cabinets and details such as the dining table legs, pulling the whole space together.
3. Make It a Feature
It’s unusual for a TV screen to lead the design of a room, but this scheme by architecture and interior design practice Honky — with the TV screen at its heart — is stunning (and has, not surprisingly, won awards).
The television is recessed into a section of luxurious walnut paneling that conceals wiring and which helps to create a sleek and subtle 1970s theme. It ties in beautifully with the elegant black lamps, fireplace, cushions and coffee table. The panels are mechanized so they can slide across and conceal the TV when it’s not in use.
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It’s unusual for a TV screen to lead the design of a room, but this scheme by architecture and interior design practice Honky — with the TV screen at its heart — is stunning (and has, not surprisingly, won awards).
The television is recessed into a section of luxurious walnut paneling that conceals wiring and which helps to create a sleek and subtle 1970s theme. It ties in beautifully with the elegant black lamps, fireplace, cushions and coffee table. The panels are mechanized so they can slide across and conceal the TV when it’s not in use.
25 Hidden Doors and Secret Spaces
4. Combine With a Home Office
With this multifunctional custom media unit designed by Fitted Lifestyles, a slatted section, a recessed shelf and a change in lighting neatly denote where the TV zone ends and the office begins.
A wood countertop surface spans the full width to form a desk and a TV area, as well as offering display space. As the top is desk height, it may be taller than the average media unit. Keeping the top half of the wall empty on the TV side is a nice touch, giving this side of the room space to breathe, despite it being very functional.
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With this multifunctional custom media unit designed by Fitted Lifestyles, a slatted section, a recessed shelf and a change in lighting neatly denote where the TV zone ends and the office begins.
A wood countertop surface spans the full width to form a desk and a TV area, as well as offering display space. As the top is desk height, it may be taller than the average media unit. Keeping the top half of the wall empty on the TV side is a nice touch, giving this side of the room space to breathe, despite it being very functional.
Find a custom cabinet maker
5. Build in a Seating Nook
This full wall unit in a central London row house includes a low bench seat and a sliding panel to hide the TV when not in use. The natural wood finish — part solid, part slatted — gives a subtle Japanese feel to the design.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
This full wall unit in a central London row house includes a low bench seat and a sliding panel to hide the TV when not in use. The natural wood finish — part solid, part slatted — gives a subtle Japanese feel to the design.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
6. Go With a Freestanding Unit
If you prefer a more relaxed look or a portable option, consider surrounding your TV with a freestanding unit.
Here, Kia Designs has used an off-the-shelf, vintage-style sideboard and flanked it with two tall units in the same style and material to create a wraparound look. These offer plenty of storage for all the media equipment, as well as books and ornaments. The slim legs and open top keep it from feeling too blocky.
Find a media cabinet or TV stand in the Houzz Shop
If you prefer a more relaxed look or a portable option, consider surrounding your TV with a freestanding unit.
Here, Kia Designs has used an off-the-shelf, vintage-style sideboard and flanked it with two tall units in the same style and material to create a wraparound look. These offer plenty of storage for all the media equipment, as well as books and ornaments. The slim legs and open top keep it from feeling too blocky.
Find a media cabinet or TV stand in the Houzz Shop
7. Create Features That Draw the Eye
While the bulk of this unit contains closed storage, there are also four open nooks for display. These are made from oak-veneered MDF, which helps them stand out against the deep blue and draw the eye away from the black screen.
The number of closed door cabinets makes sense when you know the unit — designed by Jenny Luck Interiors and built by MW Creative Carpentry — is in a playroom where toys need to be stashed. Jenny also built in removable drawers, behind which the underfloor heating manifold is hidden. The TV and associated audio-visual tech also has plenty of space, so wiring and boxes can be concealed, making it a truly multifunctional piece of furniture.
While the bulk of this unit contains closed storage, there are also four open nooks for display. These are made from oak-veneered MDF, which helps them stand out against the deep blue and draw the eye away from the black screen.
The number of closed door cabinets makes sense when you know the unit — designed by Jenny Luck Interiors and built by MW Creative Carpentry — is in a playroom where toys need to be stashed. Jenny also built in removable drawers, behind which the underfloor heating manifold is hidden. The TV and associated audio-visual tech also has plenty of space, so wiring and boxes can be concealed, making it a truly multifunctional piece of furniture.
Another contemporary take on a custom entertainment unit in a living room by Wyant Architecture hides the TV screen in a dramatic dark surround that also encloses a fireplace. An inset row of open display shelving above draws the eye up and away from the TV when it’s turned off. Warm wood cabinets provide discreet storage top and bottom.
Find an architect on Houzz
Find an architect on Houzz
8. Tuck It Into an Alcove
An entertainment unit can risk looking out of place in some period properties — or there simply may not be room. In this period-sensitive solution, designer Lisette Voute makes use of the alcoves on either side of a fireplace in an apartment in a historic preservation area.
The doors are perfectly positioned for concealing the TV’s wires and boxes, while recessing the screen reduces its visual impact. The alcove bookcases were existing, but Lisette enhanced them. “We added nice molding and cornicing and new doors,” she says, “so they’d look more elegant and in keeping with the building.”
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An entertainment unit can risk looking out of place in some period properties — or there simply may not be room. In this period-sensitive solution, designer Lisette Voute makes use of the alcoves on either side of a fireplace in an apartment in a historic preservation area.
The doors are perfectly positioned for concealing the TV’s wires and boxes, while recessing the screen reduces its visual impact. The alcove bookcases were existing, but Lisette enhanced them. “We added nice molding and cornicing and new doors,” she says, “so they’d look more elegant and in keeping with the building.”
25 Living Rooms With Roaring Fireplaces
Soledad Alzaga Interior Design did something similar in this Edwardian-era living room. A TV screen and bookshelves were custom-built into an alcove to the left of the fireplace. On the other side of the fireplace are corresponding open and closed cabinets. Additionally, a long built-in corner sofa unit with storage drawers makes for comfortable screen viewing, reading or lounging in front of the fireplace.
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Tell us: How have you incorporated a large TV screen and equipment into your living or family room design? Post a picture or tell us about it in the Comments.
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Tell us: How have you incorporated a large TV screen and equipment into your living or family room design? Post a picture or tell us about it in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more decorating guides
Find a home professional near you
Shop for home products
The TV in this living area designed by West & Reid is minimized by being part of a bigger picture full of interest. The packed-in books and ornaments disguise, or rather distract from, the screen. The TV isn’t hidden, but its impact is cleverly balanced so it feels like a considered element of a bigger scheme.
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