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Home Entertainment Furniture
Furniture today truly meets your lifestyle needs instead of just serving as window dressing. The TV, VCR/DVD, stereo and game systems are fixtures in most homes–and home entertainment centers address that reality with well-designed storage pieces that span the gamut of decorating styles.
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Home entertainment centers solve a major problem for many homeowners–how to enjoy home electronics without having to stare at the equipment and its wiring all day. Attractive furnishings in their own right, they add architectural presence to a room.
Before buying an entertainment center, consider these factors:
- Are you looking for something to house your TV, VCR/DVD, audio or other equipment?
- How much storage space will your electronics require?
- Do you need special storage for CDs/DVDs or videos?
- Should your entertainment center include display shelves?
Once your home entertainment center is in place, remember to provide plenty of comfortable seating. Beyond sofas and chairs, consider some other pieces–recliners, loveseats, even chair-and-a-half options. Whatever you choose, though, take time to consider how you want your major living area to function.
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Home Office Furniture
Whether you dictate a separate space or incorporate it into other living areas, the home office is–more and more–becoming an integral part of our lives. Before deciding where to make your office, think through how you’ll use the space.
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Home-based Business:
People who run businesses from their homes often designate a separate entry and parking space for clients. You also might want to consider including a bathroom and/or kitchen facilities separate from your home. Examine your office’s physical limitations, too. For example, can the floors withstand the pressure of heavy equipment such as a photocopier?
Home Organization Center:
Many home offices are multipurpose work centers–a place to handle household correspondence, perform part-time work and complete personal projects. You may find yourself tapping away at the computer one day and piecing together a puzzle the next. These offices require a combination of features. A desk and computer table can provide the traditional work station; a large table can function as a secondary work surface.
Research Center:
Plenty of bookshelves and storage units are essential to an organized library. And aside from the traditional desk and files, include a comfortable place to read. Create a cozy nook by adding a soft chair and an adjustable reading lamp. If you don’t want to be disturbed, place your office away from high-traffic areas, especially those where children’s activities will most often occur.
Once you’ve decided what you’re going to be doing in your home office, you’ll have a better idea of how much room you’ll need. These guidelines will help you determine whether to claim a closet or the entire basement for your office space.
- Standard desks are 30 to 31 inches high.
- Computer keyboards usually measure about 18 inches wide.
- Shelves come in a wide variety of sizes, ranging in length from 18 to 32 inches, and from 10 to 15 inches deep.
- File cabinets are fairly predictable. Standard letter-size drawers measure 15 x 29 inches; legal-size drawers are 3 inches wider.
- Today’s computer systems are getting smaller and smaller in terms of their footprints–the amount of space they require on a desk or tabletop. Consider the size requirements of your system before shopping.
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Walls/Entertainment
