Where can I put the electronics for the media room?

[Robyn55]

P.S. In the cabinets under the TV - we have a receiver - a DVD player - a DVR - a slim depth CD carousel (old clunky one on top of cabinet is gone) - UPS - etc. Note that you really have to think things through on your installation ahead of time - because - unless you're very handy - there's a fair amount that isn't DIY (like running speaker wires up through the walls - into the attic - and connecting them to the rear speakers). Also - as NJGOAT pointed out - you have to think through your wiring to avoid code violations which might result in fire risks. Anyway - I designed this system myself (we replaced the original cabinets we put in when we built the house) - but didn't do any of the work other than installing the equipment (we needed a furniture company - a general handyman/drywall person - a painter - a carpet person - an electrician - cable people had to come out and rewire the cable - etc.). There are some free CAD programs on line - and it's good to play around with lots of ideas on paper before you decide what to do. Robyn

[BrentNewland]

I bet you can find a local company that would be able to make you a custom coffee table you could put your components in. You should just have to run 1 power cable to the coffee table, then 1 HDMI cable to the TV. Depending on extras, you might also have speaker cables and a coaxial/ethernet. You could run them all under the carpet, and monoprice will get you in-wall rated cables for fairly cheap.

[Southern_Transplant]

The basement has two well windows on either side of the fireplace where I would like to install cabinets and shelves for the electronics.


He thinks we need to stop the shelves below the window and I think that will look funny. I like the idea I saw in a magazine where the shelves go up to the ceiling and the windows are basically on the shelf.

I know other people must have dealt with this issue. Any suggestions? The photo of the room is below along with my mockup of what I had in mind. Walmart Digital Photo Center: Share:Album View

[Robyn55]

Unless you plan never to use your fireplace - I don't like the setup flanking the fireplace (too much heat). I think half-height (or lower) shelving) would look fine. What's to the right of the fireplace area (the part not shown in the photo)? Can you put your media installation there? Robyn