GUEST BLOG BY James Stout OF The Integrated Lifestyle . THIS IS PART OF A SERIES OF GUEST BLOGS FROM SOME OF OUR PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS.
In 2015, there is no reason for TVs, components, and speakers to detract from living space aesthetics. The biggest reason many audio / video spaces are uninspired is lack of knowledge of the possibilities. Over the last 9 years, I have collaborated with Valet Custom Cabinets & Cosets as well other top interior designers and builders in the Bay Area to create beautiful home entertainment spaces. What follows is a guide to having a unique audio / video experience of your own.
Planning for the future is you first step
Media furniture, whether built-in or a console, is a significant investment. You want that investment to pay dividends now and in the future. Let’s start with TV size. Plan for the TVs you will own in years ahead, not the one you have or are about to buy today. As TV prices plummet and larger screen sizes are more popular, seriously question what size you would have if that display were free. Properly installed, you can have a smaller display today and be prepared for a TV ten inches larger later on.
Conceal your electronics
You absolutely do not have to have open spaces, speaker cloth, or glass in front of your components to operate them. There are two approaches to hiding cable boxes, AV receivers, Apple TVs, etc. An infrared repeater allows you to use your current remote controls and operate your components. The second way to conceal everything is with an All-In-One Radio Frequency remote control. It reduces the number of remotes to one and allows you to have only the TV in plain view. We’ll cover speakers shortly, but remember that subwoofers operate perfectly behind wooden doors. A smaller model, 12 inches cubed or smaller, might be required to fit the cabinet space. Subs can also be hidden in walls. 100% of my designs place the sub in the cabinet or invisibly in the wall. There is no need for an obtrusive black box.
Will TV speakers be sufficient?
Today’s ultra-thin TVs don’t sound as good as our old tube TVs and those early flat panel displays. There are many ways to enhance TV sound and music sources, but the common element among them is that most take up space. Speakers are a ten – fifteen year investment so there’s every reason to consider enhancing your sound today. If the budget doesn’t permit, decide whether a sound bar, bookshelf speakers, or in-ceiling speaker approach is in order for the future. If the speakers do not have built in-amplifiers, you need plan the interior cabinet depth to be at least 17” deep to accommodate the most popular sizes of audio/video receivers. In-ceiling speakers are the most invisible, but they can be the most costly to install. However, they require zero space. Sound bars and bookshelf speakers can be hidden behind speaker cloth. The genius of this approach is that the least expensive and the highest quality speakers have identical elegant appearances.
Wiring considerations
With all cabinets, the TV service, internet, and electrical wiring are an important consideration. If you are planning a built-in rather than a console, it is even more important to cover current and future needs. Let’s start with TV service. Wiring for Comcast / U-Verse will go to different locations than Dish/DirecTV. Speak with a professional to insure that you are covered if change is in the air. The same is true for internet access to connect smart TVs, streaming devices, and other App enabled devices. WiFi today is less desirable than having hard wired service into the cabinet. As new TV technologies emerge, such as 4K TV, WiFi may not cut it at all. Plan ahead before your cabinet is installed.
Putting everything together
Valet Custom’s experienced cabinetry professionals know their craft better than anyone else in the Bay Area. By now, you have likely concluded that they will do their best work when you have thought through as many elements of your home entertainment experience as possible. Determine you budget for equipment, concealment, and installation as early as possible to avoid surprises. If possible, get guidance from a home entertainment designer who is versed in cabinetry, installation, and where TV and audio will be in the coming years. A little more time in the planning and design stage will reap big benefits in the years ahead.
Click on this link or come into our showrooms to see examples of beautiful home entertainment spaces!
Valet Custom Cabinets & Closets designs, manufactures and installs custom organizational solutions that enhance the functionality of your living space while complementing the décor of your home.
Our talented design team creates unique solutions tailored to your specific needs, style and budget. We are independently owned and a direct manufacturer.
Our areas of specialty include Home Offices, Wall Beds, Media Centers, Closets, Pantries, Garage Cabinetry, and much more.
Your Space - Exceptionally Designed - Uniquely Styled - Expertly Crafted
James Stout, The Integrated Lifestyle
Since 2006, The Integrated Lifestyle has created affordably elegant Home Technology lifestyles in collaboration with the Bay Area’s leading Interior Designers, Remodeling Professionals, and Cabinetry Specialists. A member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), James regularly teaches classes on the Art Of Home Entertainment to further designer/builder’s professional development.
The Integrated Lifestyle’s primary showroom is collocated with Valet Custom’s Campbell showroom where visitors can see firsthand many examples of the latest electronics concealed in beautiful cabinetry.
