Simple Ways to Makeover the Entertainment Center
Most of us have a pretty sizable collection of entertainment materials at home. From television and DVD players, to game consoles and controllers and related media, it’s easy to let technology take over a room. The majority of us keep these objects stored in a bulky entertainment center that becomes the focal point of the room. If yours has become a disorganized eyesore, take one day and give your entertainment center a new look with a makeover.
Declutter – The main issue for most entertainment areas is clutter. Begin by emptying everything from cabinets, shelves, and drawers. Place everything in a stack, by category. DVDs, CDs, video games, controllers, books and magazines, etc. You’ll be surprised at how much ‘stuff’ you’ve accumulated! If find something you haven’t used in months, consider boxing it up to give away or sale at a yard sale.
Hide and conceal – Organize the entertainment center by keeping everything that’s left neat and organized. Place objects in baskets, bins, or bags. Wicker baskets are great because they can slide in and out of place easily, can be hidden or kept in sight, and make everything convenient. Lockable bins keep books, magazines, photo albums and other infrequently used objects organized and together. Ziploc bags are a handy way to store remote and game controllers.
Organize display shelves – If your entertainment center has open display shelves, avoid overloading them with ‘stuff’. Instead, choose your favorite collectibles or photos and display them in odd number groupings. Add visual interest by stacking items of varying heights together, too.
The television – Of course, the focal point of any entertainment center will be the television. If you have a model that is outdated, consider keeping it hidden when not in use. Check out these clever ways to hide a television for more ideas. When showing off a television, remember to keep it at eye level by either attaching it to a wall mount, or stacking beneath it.
Cord and cable corral – No matter what you do, if you have cords and cables dangling all around the entertainment center, it will remain an eyesore. Keep them tied back and out of the way, and labeled for easy identification. Learn how to organize cords, cables and wires like a pro.
Add a pop of color – Makeover the entertainment center by adding a pop of color to the back panels. This is a great idea if you have an outdated unit, or one that is of solid color. Paint or wallpaper the back panels of the entertainment center to add depth and visual interest. It’s okay to be bold with color, as very little of the area will show.
Add ambient lighting – Your entertainment center makeover wouldn’t be complete without new lighting. The best way to make an impact is with inexpensive ‘tap-style’ lights. These battery operated disk-shaped lights can be placed on shelves or inside glass cabinets for a soft glow. No wiring required! They’ll gently illuminate objects you have on display, and add a touch of warmth, too.
More from Jennifer Wagner:
8 clever ways to hide a television
10 ways to make a room look bigger
Source: Personal knowledge
