These days, the entertainment/media center has displaced the hearth as a place to gather ‘round and make merry. But with all the design options and configurations out there today, your quest for the perfect entertainment center can start to feel like one of those video game quests the kids these days play. (Okay, okay, the adults play, too.)

Relaxation Station

Whether you’re looking at a large entertainment center for both display and storage, or a minimal TV and media console, you’ll want something that you’ll actually enjoy looking at. Your eyes may be trained on a screen, but that screen has to sit somewhere.

If you have a smaller television or don’t want your TV to be the focal point, then opt for a minimal console of a small table or stand, with or without shelving or storage depending on your needs. Furthermore, if you mount your flat screen on your wall, you won’t even need a stand, just some storage space or open shelving for game consoles, Blu-ray players, Roku boxes and more. Minimal can also mean thin, clean lines that add a little character without all the heft of an entertainment center. If you already prefer a more open design aesthetic, stick with it. Look for metal and glass pieces, ladder bookcases and anything that is more shelf than cabinet.

Large entertainment centers or media walls are ideal for anyone who needs some storage and has the wall space to spare. Centers with tall, wide shelves and glass-fronted cupboards are perfect for displaying family photos, showcasing curios and creating an overall home-y feel with décor.

You’ll also need that storage space to be functional! Game consoles, cable boxes, cords, wires and all those details can be tucked away out of sight. Want to close up everything? Chose a unit with sliding or shutter doors, or be on-trend with a set of sliding barn doors.

Read our Entertainment & Media Centers Design Guide.