Homemade and Creative Entertainment Centers

Steamer Trunk

• Make a compact TV cabinet entertainment center out of an old steamer trunk. This will fit in a dorm room, studio, or other area with limited space. Measure the trunk to check the fit for the TV and other components. Set the steamer trunk on its side and open the lid. Select solid wood and sturdy supports and bolt them in place. Avoid plywood and fiberboard, these warp and buckle. Add shelves to the inside of the lid for movies and music. You could also add a padlock.

Wooden crates

• Select crates large enough for all the components and as many as you want for storage and decorative items. If the crates are solid, drill holes for cords before assembly. Crates made with slats will work if the wood is strong. Stack them the way you want them in the room. The open top of each faces toward the seating area. Get the crates lined up and solid and drill from the top one to the one beneath and bolt them together through the drill holes. Use at least four bolts near the lower corners for each crate. Set up the entertainment system and use some of the crates to store movies and music. There are also modular storage units available from stores that specialize in storage and organizing systems.

Cabinet

• Take an old wardrobe cabinet or bookcase and add shelves as needed. For the TV shelf use metal supports and bolt them all the way through the cabinet. Screws could give way under the weight. You can glue caps over the bolts on the outside to cover them, or paint them to match. Use a kit for cutting a round hole in a door--a drill accessory sold for installing deadbolts--to make one or more cord holes in the back of the cabinet. Set up the entertainment system and put the cords through the back and connect to a surge protector power strip. Close the door on this creative entertainment center to hide the system when not in use and keep dust out of the components. Install an ornamental lock if desired.