On the lookout for a means to house your music and media equipment? So am I. Whether it’s a vintage stereo console or a new media centre, here is a range of stylish options I’ve gathered.
I’ve been on the hunt for a vintage stereo console or recording player that looks like this cabinet for awhile. A few of those cabinets were designed with so much care that they are unique stand-alone pieces of artwork that can double as either a house for your media equipment and a console table.
Amy Lau Design
If I were to come across a stereo cabinet having a nice shape for this, my goal would be to rehabilitation the device with a few punchy color to give it a mid century kick. On that note, be aware that if you are planning on repurposing a vintage stereo cabinet, you might need to wash out a lot of old technology for example non-functioning record players and tape decks to create room for your new networking technology. You also might need to drill a few holes in the back to accommodate wires.
decordemon
Truth be told, most of the units I am discovering on Craigslist or at thrift shops are of the gaudier laminate selection. I never would have thought to paint 1 cherry red and put in white upholstery to achieve a Regency Glamour look. Now that I am seeing this smart sew paired with the dark paint and white greyhound statuettes, I can see new potential in formerly rejected styles of vintage stereo cabinets.
SBaird Design
By default, I lean towards the Scandinavian wood made stereo cabinets that work so well with today’s modern technology and other contemporary furniture icons. How cute would a tiny unit similar to this appearance with a flat screen TV overhead?
Denise DeCoster Architect
If you enjoy the appearance of a stand-alone cabinet with doors to conceal all your stereo equipment, but don’t gravitate to vintage, an armoire that has been altered with openings for cables and sliding doors for speakers can be just the answer. This stunning gold-leafed beauty is the centerpiece of the living room.
Elad Gonen
Another fairly common solution is a minimalist, simply assembled open cabinet, available at most contemporary furniture shops. I enjoy the simplicity of this solution, but remember that wire management can become unsightly.
Elad Gonen
Another opinion of a similarly engineered cabinet demonstrates how it appears to float on thin metallic legs.
Alexander Johnson Photography
If you are willing to spend some more bucks on a personalized solution, an entire wall unit that incorporates drawers and shelving is best. A low-slung, long flat layout beneath contrasting dark wall is a contemporary approach.
S.A.N Design Group, Inc..
A more conventional built-in unit occupies the entire wall with both proportioned shelves around the top and timeless cabinets across the bottom.
James Cleary Architecture
If your floor plan allows for it, working your built-ins to home media/stereo equipment in under the stairs is a space saving and unconventional route.
FORMA Design
One of my favorite solutions for housing stereo equipment incognito is a small built-in cabinet to both sides of a fireplace. Back in the day, these were used as wet bars or for extra storage, but as more people mount their flat screen TVs above the fireplace, these cabinets are being repurposed to discreetly house AV equipment, with the cables to the TV hidden behind the drywall.
CB2
Grid media console – $499
Some resources for media cabinets include CB2, which delivers this adorable little white oak/white painted steel combo.
DwellStudio
Franklin Media Cabinet – Gold Leaf – $2,685
Dwell Studio has released a brand new line of furniture and also among the standout layouts is this gold-leafed media cabinet. It reminds me of the armoire featured previously.
Urban Outfitters
Draper Media Console – $249
If you can’t find an original vintage stereo cabinet, Urban Outfitters will happily sell you a replica for about precisely the exact same cost or less than the originals go for.
Anthropologie
Illusorio Console – $1,698
Maybe a more rustic conventional version with lots of drawers would be a much better fit in your living room? There is a console out there for every style.
More:
See How TVs Are Passing the Designer Test
Design Dilemma: Where to Place the Media Center?
Fall Premiere Season: Where to Set Your TV