Built-in ent. center idea shopping

[Wile E Coyote]

Looking for ideas (with pics/plans) for a DIY friendly built-in large ent center for living room. It will be home to the typical flat screen tv, several audio components w/ front and center speakers, game systems, etc. ya dig? I've looked online at what's avail pre-built and I don't like the styles or the prices. No dark wood, multi-panelled or traditional/formal styles, please. The old wall unit it's replacing is very southwest style, and we would like to tone that down a bit this time around.

 

[D'Animal]

Make a big pile of everything you want to put in the entertainment center so you know how big you need to make it. Newer components are getting smaller with the exception of record players and 8-track players.

If you are planning surround sound, make sure you leave room for the SubWoofer, etc.

Make the spaces big enough so the air can flow around and through the components. Leave room for cables and wires to be tucked out of sight.

The previous owner installed our built in system, nothing fits exactly as it should. The stereo/surround sound controller is up high and the wife cannot reach it without standing on the subwoofer.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Thanks Dan for your input. I'm okay with much of what you posted, just lacking direction on making solid joints, general design theme inspiration and the like. I don't think I'm very innovative but I can make a pretty good copy of another's design.

 

[D'Animal]

Your design will be determined with what you are putting in the entertainment center.

A 36" LCD flat screen takes on a different design than a 36" Tube style TV.

I would build it around the TV and make cubby holes with adjustable shelves for the rest of it. The adjustable shelves are as simple as using 1/4" pegboard as a template for spacing and drilling holes in the inside of the sides. Use the shelf pins to hold the shelf in place at the desired height.

I will get some pic of my system and point out the short comings in design over function.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Ah, the pegboard template idea is a perfect example of tips I'm looking for.
I plan to build the unit around a 50" flat screen tv, 4 component stereo, 3 speakers plus big-ish sub, 2 game systems, at least 4 plain shelves for pictures, etc.
The current unit is 6 ft tall by 9 ft long and 2 ft deep. It's just big enough, but designed for a CRT tv, thus the tv opening is way too small.

 

[D'Animal]

Here is the one in my living room.

That is a 36" TV.


Surround Sound Speakers are up on the wall flanking the center. The sub woofer/foot stool is sitting on on the ground in front.


The Bar is on the right.

 

[D'Animal]

The upper shelves are adjustable as well as the ones in the side cabinets.

1/4" pegboard was used for the hole alignment.

The DVD player and the VCR are hidden behind the midrange speaker.


The cheapo stereo is hiding behind the stack of DVD's. The wife uses the sub woofer as a step stool to change CD's.

You can also see how much deeper the TV cabinet is compared to the rest of the system.


Great place to stack crap.

 

[Wile E Coyote]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to post pics, Dan. I'll copy the under-tv drawers and fit them for two rows of dvd cases.

 

[D'Animal]

It took pics of the drawers but figured I would get flamed for the content of the drawers. One was full of cassettes. LOL


Just an FYI and maybe you can plan better than the PO did but my TV is way too low. When the couch is in the living room and you are sitting in the recliners, you cannot see the bottom 1/2 of the TV since the couch is in the way.

I would recommend you put all the furniture in place and use a piece of poster board the same size as your TV and move it around. Sit in the furniture and move the TV up to a height that is comfortable to watch it. Too high on the wall and it is not comfortable to watch TV while laying on the floor while your dogs sleep in the recliner. LOL