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Entertainment Centers

©2003-2013 by Charles A. Plesums, Austin, Texas, USA

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Integrated TV stand and storage

This is a straightforward entertainment center with storage; approximately 24 inches high, 20 inches deep, and 72 inches wide. The two electronic compartments have openings for air to enter under the front door, and space for hot air to vent at the top back, in addition to room for wires to pass from one side to the other, and out the bottom back (for speakers). The four drawers provide storage for media. Kick space rather than legs keep pet toys out from underneath.

$1,750 as shown, in Walnut
 

Wall Hung Flat Panel TV

That isn't a picture hung on the wall... it is a flat screen TV! Of course, the electronics to support the TV - tuner, DVR, Cable or Satellite box, etc. - don't hang on the wall, which is where we come in.

This is the cherry console for the electronics... Cherry is a fairly light tan when new, but gradually darkens - in a couple years it will be a rich warm medium brown. Like a suntan, the change becomes less apparent over time. The top right and left are flat panel "push-push" doors to access storage. The bottom left and right are drawers. Ventilation is provided with an opening in the front bottom, behind the doors, and provision for hot air to exit at the top back.

The client suggested "different" legs than I often use. I was very pleased the way it came out. The thicker wood required did drive the cost up a bit, as did the special "hidden" knife hinges on the side doors, the panels in the doors, and other features, but I think the results were worth it... and the project was delivered at 15% below the agreed-upon price

$3,100 as shown
 

Flat TV Stand

This is a fairly typical "stand" for a modern television. The height is typically about 30 inches, but can be as low as 24 inches (as in this unit). Some people find one section adequate for electronics (which would likely be in the center). The overall width of this unit was 54 inches - with two electronic sections, and a smaller closed but ventilated storage area in the center that may be used for a computer.

4359
4361

The electronics can be behind glass doors (for access by remote controls through the doors). Each section should be about 18 inches inside width. Ventilation is a critical issue for the electronics in the cabinet. One solution is to leave an opening between the bottom of the door and the bottom shelf as shown here... a couple inches where air can enter from the kick-space or under the cabinet. The shelves are back a little bit, so "cool" air can flow up inside the door.

Depth for electronics, ventilation, and wiring should be 4-6 inches deeper that the deepest electronic unit - often 20-25 inches (this one is 22 inches). The shelves are shorter front-to-back so wires and air can flow behind the units, and dividers between electronic sections do not reach the back of the cabinet so wiring can run between sections. If the cabinet will be away from the wall, then a hot air vent can be placed at the top/back of the cabinet, with wire holes at the bottom back. If the cabinet will be against the wall or in an alcove, a vent hole can be put in the top, behind the TV.

4362

In addition to the TV and electronics console, a matching media storage cabinet was built... shelves behind doors on the left and right, and a pull-out section in the center, with shelves on each side of a center divider, to hold CD/DVD/VHS media.

$1,350 for the TV Stand with 3 "plain" doors and interesting legs,
$1,250 with kick space rather than legs,
Matching storage cabinet with plain doors $1,400
See
veneer options if you like the "colored" bubinga veneer door.
 

Vertical media center

Not all media centers have to be wide and low. In this case, the TV was on the fireplace mantle. No way to hide wires inside the wall. So a Media center was built to go beside the fireplace, as tall as the mantle, so the wires could sneak across the back of the mantle, from the media center to the TV and sound bar.

The veneer on the flat panel of the door is pecky pecan - a light colored wood with lots of tiny spots that make the door blend with the stone wall. A regular wood "raised" panel could have been used, or other veneers on a flat panel.

Open adjustable shelving was left for electronics (present and future), with storage below for media and whatever. The bears that reside in the living room found a new home until more electronics arrive. The bottom storage could be built with ventilation if more electronics are required. If desired, more open electronics space could be traded for less closed storage.

$400 with plain door
See veneer options if you like the veneer door.
 


Bedroom Entertainment Centers

Be sure to also see the custom conversion entertainment center for a bedroom, with the TV high enough that both partners can see the screen lying down.


Designing your own entertainment center


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This entire site (layout and contents) ©2003-2015 by Charles A. Plesums, Austin, Texas USA. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

We primarily serve Austin and the Central Texas area, but travel to the DFW area periodically and are glad to serve the Garland, Plano, Dallas, and other North Texas areas, and are willing to ship anywhere.