How to Select a Media Cabinet

A TV isn’t much good unless you have a media storage cabinet to put it in. With all the electronics and entertainment equipment available, a living room can quickly become a cluttered mess without some form of a multi-media storage cabinet. That is why having the perfect media cabinet is just as important as having the perfect television, stereo and DVD player. Here is how to find what you need.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Department store ads
• Transportation
• Internet connection
• Computer

1. Start by measuring. Measure the dimensions of your television, stereo, DVD player and speakers. Measure the dimensions of all the available floor and wall space in your entertainment room. Don’t forget to write these measurements down.

2. Do your research. Check online and in various consumer magazines to find a media cabinet that is durable, affordable and will meet your expectations.

3. Create an inventory of everything you hope to put on or in your media cabinet. Do you plan on only putting a television on it, or do you also plan to use it to store your VCR, DVD player, stereo, CDs, picture frames and more? This step will force you to decide whether you need to look for a simple TV stand or a complex multi-media storage cabinet.

4. Be an interior designer. Often your media cabinet will become the focal point of the room, so you want to make sure it is in line with the room’s overall decor. What color will look good? Do you want something modern or traditional? How about height and width?

5. Research your options. Start by browsing different furniture stores online. You may also want to talk to your friends and coworkers about what they have.

6. Narrow down your choices. Make a chart of your top three to five choices. Write down what you like about each one, how much it costs, what can fit on it and what you don’t like about it. Compare all of the different cabinets' pros and cons.

7. Go shopping. Now that you have decided which cabinet is perfect for your needs, it is time to purchase your new media cabinet.

Tips & Warnings

• Before making your purchase, ask about the store’s return policy and what warranties come with the media storage cabinet.
• Consider having the media storage cabinet delivered. It may cost you a bit more, but media cabinets are heavy and cumbersome. The extra cost may be well worth it.
• If money is a problem, ask the store whether they have any financing options. Often you can make monthly payments with little or no interest.
• Although making your purchase on the Internet is convenient, the shipping and handling charges may be significant. If the store is within driving distance, have them order the product to avoid these unnecessary costs.
• Before you make the purchase, find out what amount of assembly is required. See how complicated it is and whether you have the appropriate tools. This may affect your overall decision.