Entertainment Center Options for Living Room Layouts

When designing a living room, the entertainment center often becomes the focal point that anchors the layout and decor. With so many options for styles, sizes, and configurations, choosing the right entertainment center is key to creating a cohesive and functional space.

An entertainment center ties a living room together by neatly housing televisions, media players, gaming consoles, and other electronics while also storing movies, games, and media accessories. Beyond function, an entertainment center makes a strong style statement and serves as an accent piece for the room's overall aesthetic.

Different Types of Entertainment Centers for Living Rooms

Homeowners and interior designers can select from various entertainment center types to best suit their living rooms:

• Floating entertainment centers mount directly onto the wall like floating shelves, creating a streamlined, contemporary look.
• Built-in entertainment centers seamlessly integrate into room design with custom cabinetry and shelving recessed into the wall for a polished, upscale appearance.
• Freestanding entertainment centers feature cabinets set on legs or a base, allowing flexible placement around the room.
• Mirrored entertainment centers incorporate mirrored panels to visually expand smaller spaces and create a glamorous vibe.

Customization Options

In addition to ready-made options, many homeowners opt to design fully customized entertainment centers tailored to their precise spatial parameters and aesthetic preferences. Custom builds allow for selecting specific materials from wood species to finishes as well as incorporating specialty features like lighting, wired charging stations, and integrated technology controls.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Entertainment Center

Several key factors go into choosing the optimal entertainment center for a living room layout:

Room Size and Layout

The dimensions and floor plan of the living room dictate the size and style options for the entertainment center. Measure wall space to determine the maximum dimensions for your built-in or floating entertainment center. Consider traffic flow for freestanding entertainment center placement. Be sure to account for comfortable viewing distances from seating areas as well.

Available Wall Space

Wall-mounted entertainment centers require adequate wall space for mounting. If wall space is limited, freestanding entertainment centers allow flexible positioning. Built-in entertainment centers work well when incorporating surrounding cabinetry and shelves. Carefully measure to ensure your desired unit will fit.

Storage Needs

Assess media storage needs to determine ideal cabinet configurations and shelf space. Entertainment centers may feature closed storage or open shelving. Consider integrating drawers, cubbies, and other storage solutions for organizing DVDs, video games, controllers, streaming devices, and other components. Also account for growth if expanding your media collection over time.

Built-in vs Freestanding

While built-in entertainment centers deliver a polished, upscale look, freestanding entertainment centers offer greater flexibility in positioning and in future room layouts. Built-ins require expert installation for proper incorporation into surrounding cabinetry and wall space. Freestanding units simply place against the wall in your preferred location.

Audiovisual Setup

Consider required space for TV size, media players, speakers, gaming systems, and other A/V components. Allow room for ventilation and airflow so your components don't overheat. Address cord management to reduce clutter. If including speakers, ensure adequate power handling and sound quality for your room's dimensions.

Weight Load

For wall-mounted entertainment centers, factor in the collective weight of your TV, media equipment, decor items, and stored media when selecting mounting hardware and supports. Exceeding maximum load capacity can lead to catastrophic collapse. Hire professionals if uncertain.

Budget

Entertainment center costs vary widely depending on size, materials, included features, and custom work. Determine your budget upfront and select options aligning with your price point that don't compromise structural stability or safety.

Entertainment Center Ideas for Small Living Rooms

Small living rooms can still incorporate an entertainment center to punctuate the layout. Space-saving ideas include:

• Compact or mini entertainment centers sized appropriately for modest rooms
• Wall-mounted entertainment centers with floating shelves rather than bulky furniture pieces
• Multifunctional furniture like combination TV stands with storage to reduce footprint
• Shelving above entertainment centers to maximize vertical space for displaying framed photos, art, greenery and other decor
• Minimal depth entertainment centers to protrude less far into the room
• Angled corners on boxy entertainment center silhouettes for eased traffic flow

Entertainment Center Ideas for Open Floor Plans

For living rooms blending into dining areas or kitchens, strategically position the entertainment center to:

• Divide open space into functional zones
• Anchor furniture arrangement to define seating areas
• Frame a focal point to distinguish the living room
• Direct lines of sight from secondary seating areas like breakfast nooks
• Establish boundaries between kids' play areas and adult relaxation zones

Stylish Entertainment Center Design Ideas

Entertainment centers now available in diverse materials and styles blend seamlessly with popular interior design aesthetics:

Industrial Style

Incorporate exposed brick, metal accents, and an eclectic mix of wood tones. Pipe shelving and warehouse palette finishes like concrete GREY and rich maple brown create an urban loft aesthetic.

Rustic Style

Integrate reclaimed wood with distressed details and hardware for a cozy, casual look. Varied stain colors like provincial oak suit laid-back living rooms. Mix decorative woven baskets for organic texture.

Modern Style

Clean lines, glossy fronts with matte accents, and asymmetric shelving evoke contemporary flair. LED strip lighting paired with light wood veneers produce a hip, sleek statement. Incorporate vibrant accent colors in accessories and wall art.

Transitional Style

Blending traditional and modern elements, transitional entertainment centers feature timeless silhouettes updated with fresh finishes. Contrasting finishes like white lacquer cabinet doors against charcoal GREY metal bases strike this stylish balance.

Functional Features for Living Room Entertainment Centers

Well-designed entertainment centers incorporate functional elements to address storage, technology requirements, and aesthetic enhancements:

• Integrated storage like enclosed cabinets, drawers, and open shelving organizes media collections while concealing clutter.
• Adjustable shelving accommodates various media sizes while allowing flexibility to reconfigure over time as needs evolve.
• Cabling cutouts, ports, and cord management solutions hide unsightly wires and power cords to maintain a clean, streamlined look.
• Ambient lighting sets the mood while accentuating decor when viewing media. LED strip lights, undercabinet lighting, and shelves with integrated lighting boost both form and function.
• Glass door cabinets neatly display decorative items while protecting them from dust and damage.
• Caster wheels allow repositioning freestanding entertainment centers easily when rearranging furniture or cleaning.

Strategic entertainment center placement completes living room designs in several ways:

• Position along the main wall as a focal point anchoring furniture arrangement. This directive positioning orients lines of sight for ideal TV viewing.
• Anchor seating facing the entertainment center to define a dedicated media viewing area. Sectionals, loveseats, and chairs achieve a theater-style layout.
• Zone open concept living rooms by creating a defined media zone. Entertainment centers distinguished these spaces in lieu of walls.
• Divide large living rooms into multiple seating areas with unique entertainment center vignettes. This allows customizing entertainment for both adults and kids.