• The Home Entertainment Centerhome entertainment system line drawing image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  A home entertainment center can include several components based on the needs of the owner. While the television is usually the focal point, an entertainment center can also include home audio, video game, communication and even computer access all held together by furniture to keep everything organized.
  
  

Plan Ahead

• If possible, plan the entertainment center before building or renovating your home. This allows you to build slots directly into your home for your anticipated hardware. Speakers can be set into the walls with wiring pulled through walls for a customized look. Additionally, soundproof padding can be placed on the floor and shelves can be built into the wall for game systems and hardware. The drawback to this method is the difficulty in replacing faulty wiring and the permanence of the room's set up (especially the speaker configuration.) Built-in sound systems or television placement is not recommended for those who make frequent changes to their living spaces.
  
  

The Low Profile

• Purchase a surround sound system that features wireless speakers and sync with trim, low-profile receivers. Mount the speakers behind plants or near bookshelves to minimize their presence. Additionally, entertainment systems with an LCD or plasma screen television should use swivel hanging technology to minimize the space they take up. Visually recognizable game systems can be displayed upright and tilted.
  
  

The Problem With Wires

• One difficulty in putting together a visually appealing home entertainment system is the encumbrance of wiring. Expensive wireless receivers and speakers are a partial solution, but game systems, computers and DVR boxes still present a problem. Several wires balled up behind the television can cause confusion. Solve this by using a cable management tube. The cable management tube collects all the wiring and laces it around a single focal point, both organizing and cleaning the area. This is especially effective for wall-mounted televisions that require connection to various devices for operation.