Tips on Buying an Entertainment Center

With your television as the focal point of your family or living room, your entertainment center is getting a lot of attention. Picking the right entertainment center can often "make or break" the room. You have lots of choices when choosing an entertainment center, so taking the time to think about a few things will ensure that you pick the right one.

1. Think about what you want it to hold. If you only have a TV and DVD player, almost any style of entertainment center or TV stand will work. But if you need room for a game system, surround-sound stereo and media storage, you will want to get a large entertainment center with lots of shelving and storage cabinets.

2. Consider placement. Buying a large entertainment center for a small room can sometimes throw off the balance of the room. Avoid this by choosing an entertainment center that is proportional to the space it will be in. Also, make sure your new entertainment center will fit where you want it without blocking heating vents or windows.

3. Make it match. Try to match color and style with any existing furniture that you have in the room. Glass and metal entertainment centers go well with most modern and contemporary styles. Entertainment centers made of wood come in styles to match any style of home decor.

4. Make sure your TV fits. For entertainment centers that surround your television, measure the width, height and depth of your TV. With the popularity of flat panel TVs, depth probably won't be an issue, but the width of a widescreen TV sometimes can be. Don't assume "Fits most 32-inch TVs" means it will fit your 32-inch TV.

5. Think about what you want it to do. Some entertainment centers have wood doors that close and hide what is inside. Other entertainment centers have glass doors that protect your equipment from dust, and other styles leave everything open to allow a maximum of ventilation.

by Staff Writer