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Design Stories
Selecting the Perfect Media Furniture
In recent years, personal electronics have undergone major transformations. Millions of viewers now binge-watch their favorite series on sophisticated, super-thin TVs. Streaming services keep even the most On-Demanding movie buff up-to-date, and digital technology has turned the tables on how we listen to music.
But your media system is more than just a collection of electronic devices. It’s important that the furniture that houses your system is engineered to protect and present your investment for years to come.
Whether you are an audiophile with a taste for vintage 45’s or a widescreen enthusiast living out loud in surround sound, how do you determine which furniture is going to match the needs of your system and your style?
1 - Set the Stage.
Gone are the days of A/V racks that look like they would be more at home in your garage than in your living room. Your media furniture sets the stage for home entertainment, and there are a wealth of wonderful designs to choose from. As the focal point of the living room, the furniture you choose should speak to your personal style. Modern? Classic? Transitional? Retro? Don't compromise on design; select a style that you love.
2 - Size it out.
Determine the width of your TV and consider the footprint of its base. To protect your screen, ensure that your console is at least as wide as your TV and that the base rests securely. Not only will the TV be in better visual balance, it is protected from unintentional bumps and accidents. The center of your screen should be at eye level to minimize neck strain. Most seating is 18" to 22" off the floor, putting eye level around 40" to 48", depending on your TV size.
3 - Take inventory.
Determine the space that you need to store your system. Take stock of your electronics, including speakers, cable box, streaming devices, Blu-Ray, etc. Leave room for future add-ons and allow space for media storage. Smaller components can be stacked, while items that give off a lot of heat - like gaming consoles and amps - should stand alone.
Now that you have a sense for the style you are looking for and the storage space that you need, what else do you look for in a TV cabinet? Much more. Thoughtfully engineered furniture will make your system easy to setup, maintain, and adjust to your changing needs.
Features to Look For
At BDI, we have partnered with AV manufacturers and installation professionals to determine the features that meet the needs of even the most-demanding systems. We were first-to-market with a host of user-friendly features designed to protect your equipment while presenting it in style, and were the first to introduce furniture specifically designed for soundbars.
Individual needs will vary, depending on your equipment. But whether you're creating a complete home theater experience or simply looking to display your screen in style, here are some of the features to look out for when considering your selection.
Remote Access
Whether you decide to keep your components out on display or hidden discreetly behind doors, they need to remain remote control-accessible. Tinted glass, louvered and perforated doors allow remote signals to pass through unobstructed. If selecting solid doors, then adding an IR-repeater ensures that your remote is always in touch.
Mobility
Whether you need to access your connections or are just doing the occasional cleaning, hidden wheels allow you to glide an entire system away from the wall for easy access to cables and connections. Integrated levelers enable you to lift a cabinet off of its wheels when it needs to be secured in place.
Cable Management
Electronic cables can have a mind of their own, resulting in messy entanglements and disorganized clutter. An integrated wire management system will keep all of your components well-connected but hidden away.
Speaker Storage
If you are concealing a center channel speaker or a full-range soundbar, select furniture that has acoustic transparency. Speakers can be kept neatly out of sight, yet still provide a full range of sound.
Adjustability
Components come in all sizes. Adjustable compartments allow you to reposition your setup whenever needed as your needs change. Vibration control shelf pins keep vibration to a minimum and ensure components perform at peak levels.
Accessibility
Access to cables and connections is a must. Look for easy access to the rear of components via removable panels, providing convenient access whenever you need to change your setup.
Ventilation
Media furniture shouldn't only look cool, it needs to stay cool. Electronic components generate a lot of heat that has to escape somewhere, so go with furniture that has built-in ventilation to promote airflow.
Security
Secure your TV to prevent accidents, utilizing a safety strap connected to your cabinet. This is particularly important in households with small children with curious hands. For added security, utilize a TV mount to secure your screen in place.
The old adage is as true with home theater furnishings as it is with anything else: you get what you pay for. Make sure that your selections are sturdy, full of user-friendly features and engineered to go the distance. Quality home theater furniture can offer you a lifetime of enjoyment, no matter if you are an X-Boxer, Amazon princess, or Hulu hooper.
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