How to Choose Home Theater Furniture

Your home theater is more than a collection of electronic components; it’s the entertainment hub of your family. If you have recently purchased or are considering a new TV, your thoughts have commonly turned to how you can best display and protect your system. There are a lot of options, so how do you pick home theater furniture that is best for both your style and your electronics? Whether you are looking for a solution for a small TV or a complete home theater system, the basic needs are the same.

Design

The furniture you choose is as important as your TV when setting up the perfect home theater and this space should amplify your style. Here is where your personal taste applies.

Contemporary, Traditional or Somewhere in the Middle?

The home theater furniture is normally the biggest piece of furniture in the room and sets the tone for the living space. Steel, glass and gloss finishes give a contemporary look, great for coordinating with modern interiors. Natural wood finishes are available in a variety of styles, perfect for settings from traditional to contemporary. Decide for a finish that complements your existing furniture or start out with a fresh new look.

Placement

Once you have the choice of the size and style of cabinet that you are looking for, you must also consider where your home theater will be located. Consider the location that you have in mind. Is it a wide wall or are you trying to put your home theater into the corner? Corner TV cabinets or models that swivel make smart use of a small space. Will you be watching TV while on a sofa, at your desk, or in the bedroom? Position a television at just above eye level to eliminate neck strain. Most sofas sit people approximately 18 to 22 inches off the floor, putting eye level around 40 to 48 inches. In an office or the bedroom, the TV is usually higher so that it can be viewed from a seated position or just above the foot of the bed.

Home Theater Furniture Features

It may seem like just an awesome place to house your electronics, but your home theater furniture actually has to work much harder than that. You will find a wide range of features available on the market, all designed to improve your experience. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Adjustability & Accessibility

Your system is sure to change real time and you need furniture that can change with it. Adjustable shelves are a must so that you may reconfigure your system as your needs change. You should always have easy access to the rear of your components and connections. Look for furniture that includes wheels for easy movement and/or has removable back panels to make set up and cleaning a breeze.

Cable Management

We have all seen how TV cables and connections can turn into an irritating, tangled mess. The best home theater furniture has an integrated wire management system that allows you to interconnect your components while keeping the cables neatly controlled and out of sight.

Storage

A home theater usually turns into more than just components and a TV. Whether you want to incorporate speakers into your furniture or if you want a place to house your DVD collection, consider solutions that will allow you to keep your items organized and accessible.

Ventilation

Your home theater shouldn’t only look ideal, it needs to be cool. Electronic components put off a lot of heat and that heat has to go somewhere. Your furniture should include built in ventilation to create airflow, allowing heat to escape.

Strength

While many components are lightweight, receivers and multi-disc changers can weigh in excess of 40 pounds. Add a 75-150 pound TV to that and you need steady support. Furniture should include structural supports and all glass must be tempered.

Value

The old adage is as true with furniture as it is with anything else, ‘you get what you pay for.’ Entry-level TV stands have their place but may lack the features and design elements of higher quality furniture. Make sure that you choose a stand that is sturdy, full of user-friendly features and engineered to last. Quality home theater furniture can offer you a lifetime of enjoyment.