Storage solutions: Electronics

Southern Living, May 2000 by Joyner, Louis, Belden, Derick, Clavell, Alicia K, Griffin, Eleanor, Et al

Whether you choose to camouflage or conceal them, televisions and stereo systems are turning up in the most unlikely places. The secret is to accommodate bigger and better electronic toys in a way that is versatile, accessible, and attractive.

A well-designed cabinet can ease equipment installation and make operation a breeze. Keep the following tips and dimensions in mind as you design your own entertainment system.

If at all possible, try to provide rear access to your cabinet or piece of furniture. Something as simple as a hinged panel on the back or a door in the rear of a closet will help. One of the biggest frustrations when connecting AN equipment is cords and plugs that become unattached when you slide the components around; rear access alleviates this concern.

Be sure to purchase the proper length cables. Signal strength degrades with multiple splices or too much length. A 3-foot RCA-type cable comes with most stereo equipment. Purchase 6- and 12foot ready-made lengths from an electronics store.

Adjustable shelves are helpful. They accommodate different stereo equipment sizes. A fixed and well-supported shelf works best with the television because it is the heaviest piece.

Be sure to allow for enough depth in your cabinet. TVs range in depth from 19 inches fot a 20-- inch set to more than 25 inches for a 36-inch one. The 50- and 60-inch rear projection televisions will need a couple more inches. The standard depth for other electronic equipment is 17 inches. Allow at least an additional inch beyond your television or electronic equipment's depth to prevent cable crimping. It is also a good idea to leave 1/2 inch of airspace all around for free airflow

Place your equipment at a comfortable height from the floor because the controls can be difficult to read. Also, try to locate the CD and DVD players where you can see the disc labels when the drawer is open. A small light incorporated into your design will help with equipment operation and disc selection.

Placement of the television is also important. It needs to be located in relation to the room's seating arrangement and in a position that minimizes glare-from both natural and artificial lighting. Because people tend to recline or slouch a bit while watching TV, it's a good idea to have the center of the screen at about 3 feet above the floor. The size of your screen dictates the distance your furniture should be from the TV One rule of thumb puts the optimum viewing distance at three times the height of the screen. For a 27-inch television (vertical screen height of 161/2 inches), that works out to be a little over 4 feet from the screen to your eye.

A universal remote can solve the problem of where to store multiple remotes. To find the one that works best for you, take a list of your equipment-including model numbers and brand names-to a local electronics store. The salesperson should be able to point you in the right direction. Universal remotes function by either having the remote codes already programmed in or they can learn the codes from your other remotes. Try to find one that allows you both options. Some remote functions do not always translate to the universal remote.

If you're still stuck with lots of remotes, place a decorative box or basket on the coffee table to store them.

Some specialty woodworking-- and cabinetmaker-supply stores sell VCR and CD racks that can be added to drawers to keep things organized.

If you are planning a new built-in or buying an entertainment center, make sure the storage drawers and cabinets will handle your present and future tape and CD collections.