Home Theater in an Old House

All across the United States couples are arguing about ugly speakers, huge televisions, speaker wires, cables, antennas and other electronic stuff that makes a nice room look like a recording studio. Generally the husband argues that he wants surround sound and all of the wires have to be there to sound right. And the wife (rightfully) says something like "This looks horrible! You're not going to put all that crap in my living room."

For old home owners the problem is even more complex. If you have a home that was built before fire-side chats and long before the TV, your room likely doesn't accommodate an entertainment center very well. Your center point is likely a fireplace or a large window not a big blank wall that was designed to place an entertainment center. And for old house owners with some antiques, it is a big struggle to find furniture that blends in with traditional furniture.

Well there's hope out there - you can strike a balance. It is possible to enjoy your surround sound and big screen HDTV in a traditional or formal living area.

First be committed to concealing the HDTV when not in use. So many people have big plasma and LCD TVs, it is no longer cool or impressive to have a huge TV monitor mounted on your wall. With the TV mounted on the wall you run the risk of looking having you living space look like a sports bar. Fine for the rec room, but not for the living room.

For old house owners who wish to conceal their TVs here are some ideas and things to consider:

• Modify an antique wardrobe, armoire, or cupboard to fit
  
• There is a ton of space in these and they are built exceptionally well.
  
• An antique is often less costly than a new piece that is basically a reproduction
• When you upgrade, move or change the resale on you antique will be much higher than your moder

• Jay-Leno-It
  If you think the pop-up TV on Leno is cool, you can now get it for the cost of a high-end entertainment armoire. I have seen them as low as $950. But plan on spending around $2,000 for one that blends into an old home's decor.
  
• You have to have a flat panel - no DLP or LCD projection screen
• Handy people and wood workers, should consider buying a antique buffet and modifying it with a lift. Just build a box behind the antique to house the lift and the TV, no one will ever no it's there until it rises from the floor
  

• Consider getting it custom built
• Shop around and get bids - custom built furniture and entertainment centers are often just slightly more than a stock piece of furniture.
• Better yet, build it yourself.
  
• It doesn't work well for upgrades and changes. So you will likely not like the furniture in 5 -10 years when you get new equipment. But if your rich go for it!

• Mounting the TV above the fireplace is too high for optimal viewing, but if you insist on putting it up high make sure to hide it.
  
• Behind some artwork (www.vutec.com/artscreen/)
  
• In the ceiling (www.auton.com)
  
• Ir in the floor (www.inca-tvlifts.com)
• Behind a mirror (www.hiddentelevision.com)
  

I'll write more about this subject later.