Since entertainment centers and TV mounts come in such a wide variety with different configurations and combinations of features, it will save you time and money if you have any idea what to look for. The options are endless, especially if you want to choose a smaller entertainment center with the intention of adding separate speaker stands at a later date. Even different types of TV stands can resemble entertainment centers because they include closed shelves, cabinet doors, or back panels/sheds. An entertainment center is attractive for several different reasons: it creates a stylish focal point in the room for your TV; allows you to organize other audio/video equipment; and helps maintain the decorative flow of the room by reducing clutter.
Size
The most important thing to consider when shopping for entertainment centers or TV stands is size; Not only do you need to consider the size of the entertainment center itself, you also need to know the size of the TV you’re buying the entertainment furniture for. Ideally, you should know where you want your entertainment furniture to go before you buy one, so you have an idea of how small or large an entertainment center you’ll need to fill your intended space. The same goes for any freestanding speaker stands you’d like to add now or in the future.
Design
Entertainment centers and TV stands come in an endless variety of sizes and configurations. Entertainment centers are a great investment in terms of how they use the space available in a room, as they use both vertical (wall) and horizontal (floor) space. The other notable benefit of an entertainment center is storage, which provides a multifunctional solution. Entertainment furniture doesn’t just function as TV stands, it incorporates different types of storage to accommodate a DVD/VCR player, speakers (if you choose not to opt for stand-alone speaker stands), DVDs, CDs, games, and videos.
To get the most out of your entertainment furniture, decide what features you’d like. To determine what kinds of features would be most useful to you, consider your lifestyle. If the room where you watch TV is more of a home theater than a living room, then DVD storage will be important to you. If you don’t like clutter, then an entertainment cabinet with a cable management system, closed cabinets and shelves will be a better option for you.
Style
Traditional styles like Sheraton, Queen Anne, Neo Classical, Victorian and French Provincial are modeled after historical fashions, periods and trends. Most commonly recognized for elaborate carvings, inset paneling, and detailed molding, entertainment furniture and TV stands in traditional substyles such as Shaker and Louis Philippe can appear almost contemporary or modern due to the absence of ornate decorative details.
The focus of contemporary entertainment furniture and TV stands is on economy of line and form. The most used materials are metals, exposed woods in lighter finishes, plastics and stone. Through the use of materials, shapes and lines, the contemporary style emphasizes natural elements that are organic and calm. Simple yet effective contemporary styling often features textured elements such as clean lines and sleek shapes that can be highlighted with leather or glass accents.