Entertainment centers, also referred to as media centers, are furniture items used to simultaneously hold television sets and the large variety of related electronic components, devices, and media formats related to home entertainment. Most often found in residential living rooms, entertainment centers are large systems designed with a central open space for locating the television that is typically flanked with adjustable storage shelves and cabinets.
Unlike more minimal TV stands, entertainment centers are prominent furniture systems that can take up a large amount of horizontal and vertical space in the living room. Because of their size and prominence in the household, entertainment centers are often designed to be the focal point of a living room and usually include additional shelves for holding assorted home furnishings such as pottery, photographs, books, plants, and more.
Entertainment centers, or media centers, emerged as households began to accumulate multiple entertainment devices in the mid-20th century. Initially designed to house bulky televisions and radios, their size and structure adapted to accommodate evolving technology like VCRs, DVD players, and gaming systems. Their designs reflected prevailing tastes, from heavy wooden structures of the past to sleeker units in the late 1900s. As home entertainment became central to family life, these centers became prominent furniture pieces, offering organized storage while complementing room decor.
Entertainment centers are evolving with the rise of streaming and slim TVs. Modular designs allow customization, suiting various gadgets and spatial needs. Multi-functionality, with integrated desks or bookshelves, maximizes space in modern homes. Sustainable materials, such as bamboo, cater to eco-conscious consumers. Tech-integrations like built-in cable management or speaker systems are becoming standard. Brands like IKEA focus on adaptability, with units like BESTÅ offering varied configurations. As homes blend work, leisure, and entertainment, these centers will seamlessly integrate technology and design, enhancing living spaces.
Acting as both a piece of furniture for storage and for display, the entertainment center can hold movie collections, memorabilia, and various gaming equipment. It can also be decorated by stacking books if it consists of shelves or putting some between decorative bookends. Plants, photographs, baskets (can conceal media equipment) are other options that can be used to spruce up an entertainment center.
An entertainment center is a furniture piece intended to hold electronic components such as televisions, gaming systems, stereos, and speakers. It can act as a whole wall unit or media stand, with larger configurations being known as “home theater systems.”
If the entertainment center does not have a hole for running cords through, drilling one and placing objects in front to conceal may be a good option. If hiding a power strip, mounting it on the wall behind and just below the entertainment center can eliminate grounder clutter without having space between the piece of furniture and the wall. There are also useful items such as cable tacks that hook to the back or cable trays that attach underneath (the entertainment center) that both organizes and hides cords.
