If you’re like most people, your home entertainment center is one of the most essential spaces in your house. After all, it’s where you watch TV, listen to music and movies, and play video games. Creating a home entertainment center that is both functional and stylish can be a challenge, but it’s definitely doable.

With so much at stake, getting your home entertainment center set upright is essential. Here are a few dos and don’ts to help you out.

Do Consider the Amount of Space Available

You could be very excited to pick out your next gaming console, smart TV, or furniture, and is now on the lookout for the best gaming computers on the market. But before you even consider buying your essentials, make sure you measure your space. This way, you’ll be able to figure out how much and what kind of furniture you can buy.

You don’t want your home entertainment center to feel cramped and cluttered. So, get your measuring tape and start planning your space accordingly. As a general rule, when you are measuring anything, do it at least three times to avoid future regrets.

Don’t Forget About Wires

One of the most common mistakes people make when setting up their home entertainment center is forgetting about wires. With all the new technology, it’s easy to forget that everything needs to be plugged in somehow.

Before you start buying new furniture or devices, look at your current setup. See how many cords and wires you’re dealing with. If you have a lot of cords, you may want to consider getting a cord management system to help keep things organized and tidy.

Do Think About Audio

Your home entertainment center isn’t just for watching TV. It’s also for listening to music and movies. So, when you’re setting up your space, make sure you think about audio.

If you’re using your home entertainment center for gaming, you’ll want to ensure you have a good gaming headset. You may want to invest in a soundbar or surround sound system for watching movies and TV. And for listening to music, you’ll need some good speakers.

Don’t Forget Aesthetics and Ergonomics

It’s easy to get caught up in function when setting up your home entertainment center. But don’t forget about aesthetics! After all, this is one of the most critical rooms in your house. You want it to look good!

When picking out furniture and devices, choose items that fit your style. And don’t be afraid to experiment with different layouts until you find one you love.

You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your home entertainment center, so you want it to be as comfortable as possible. That’s why you should consider ergonomics when setting up your space.

For example, if you’re using your home entertainment center for gaming, you’ll want to make sure your TV and computer are at the perfect height. You don’t want to strain your neck or eyes while playing.

Likewise, if you’re going to be spending a lot of time watching TV, you’ll want to make sure you arrange your furniture in a comfortable way for viewing. You may even want to invest in a recliner or bean bag chair!

Do Consider The Other Important Things

There are much more essentials you can’t afford to forget when decorating your home entertainment center. This includes your storage, ventilation, and lighting.

Storage

When it comes to storage, more is always better. Home entertainment centers can quickly become cluttered with DVDs, games, controllers, and other accessories. Invest in some shelving or cabinets to keep everything organized and within easy reach.

Know that there are different types of storage options available. For example, you can get shelving that goes on the wall or cabinets that sit on the floor. Choose what works best for your space and needs.

Ventilation

Another mistake people make when setting up their home entertainment center is forgetting about ventilation. If your devices overheat, they could malfunction or even break.

To avoid this, make sure you have adequate ventilation in your home entertainment center. This means having enough open space around your devices and placing them away from any vents or heat sources.

You may even want to invest in a cooling system, like a fan or air conditioner, to keep things cool in your home entertainment center.

Lighting

The same goes for adequate lighting.  You don’t want your home entertainment center to be too dark or too bright. Eye strain is no fun!

Creating a home entertainment center can be a lot of fun. Just remember to keep these dos and don’ts in mind, and you’ll be sure to create a space you love. Happy decorating!