A Detailed Guide to Planning Built-In Entertainment Cabinets for Modern Living Rooms

Let’s be honest—our living rooms pull double (sometimes triple) duty these days. They’re where we unwind after a long day, where the kids sprawl out with their games, and where we entertain friends on the weekend, too.

But they’re also where cords, remotes, speakers, and all those “where do we put this?” items end up living. Sound familiar? You’re not the only one.

At Closet & Cabinet Experts, we’ve walked into plenty of homes around Savannah and the Low Country where the living room feels less like a retreat and more like a storage locker for electronics. And that’s exactly why built-in entertainment cabinets have become one of the smartest upgrades homeowners are choosing right now.

Done right, they’re not just furniture—they’re a calm, organized command center that makes your living room finally feel like, well, a living room.

Why Built-In Entertainment Cabinets Are Worth Considering

Here’s a little scenario:

You buy a TV stand off the shelf at a big-box store. At first, sure, it looks fine. But within a few weeks? You realize it’s not quite the right size. The cords have nowhere to go, and your sound system is constantly overheating.

Fast forward a year, and you’re frustrated, wishing you had something designed for your actual space. Now, that’s the problem with “one-size-fits-all.” It rarely fits anyone perfectly.

Custom entertainment cabinets are the opposite. They’re:

• Built for your room’s exact dimensions.

• Designed to hide what you don’t want to see (cords, clutter) and showcase what you do (family photos, décor).

• Adaptable enough to handle today’s tech—and tomorrow’s upgrades.

And because they become part of your home’s architecture, they instantly elevate the look and feel of your living space.

Built-in Entertainment Cabinets Design Options That Work for Real Families

There’s no single formula for living room built-in cabinets. Every family uses their space differently, so the design has to reflect that.

Here are a few ideas we love:

1. Hidden Storage for Everyday Calm

Solid cabinet doors can keep your living room feeling serene. Instead of stacks of DVDs or a pile of controllers out in the open, everything has a home. Out of sight, out of mind.

2. Floating Shelves That Keep Things Light

Want something modern and airy? Pairing built-in TV cabinets with floating shelves gives you space for decorative touches without making the room feel heavy.

3. A Mix of Open and Closed

This is one of the most practical setups. Open shelving up top for display, closed storage below for the less-pretty things. It’s stylish and realistic.

4. Kid-Friendly Features

For families with young children, we often add pull-out drawers at lower levels. That way, kids can reach board games or art supplies without pulling everything onto the floor.

5. Tech-Savvy Integration

Think charging drawers, open cubbies, and built-in soundbar compartments. Your movie night just got a major upgrade.

Making Technology Blend In (Instead of Taking Over)

Let’s talk about the elephant—or rather, the wires—in the room.

Cables dangling down your wall? Routers sitting awkwardly in the corner? Yeah, we’ve seen it. And that’s also why a huge part of planning entertainment center cabinets is figuring out where all that tech will live.

Here are a few design tricks:

• Cable channels inside the cabinetry keep wires out of sight.

• Built-in outlets make plugging in devices seamless.

• Open shelving prevent overheating.

• Sliding or lift-up panels let you access devices when you need them and hide them when you don’t.

And it’s not just about looking neat—it’s about making your tech easier to use and less stressful to deal with.

Choosing Built-in Entertainment Cabinets Finishes That Fit Savannah Homes

Here in Savannah and the Low Country, we see a wide range of home styles. And that’s part of the fun—matching modern built-in storage solutions to a home’s personality.

• For a classic Southern look, painted wood in crisp white or a warm cream feels timeless.

• In coastal-inspired homes, light oak or driftwood tones add that breezy, natural touch.

• If your style leans more modern, sleek matte finishes or darker stains add drama without overwhelming the space.

• Want to mix things up? Contrasting the cabinet finish with an accent wall or textured wallpaper behind your TV can make the whole unit pop.

Layout Ideas for Built-In Entertainment Cabinets

Every living room has its quirks, which is why layouts matter.

Here are some tried-and-true setups:

• Wall-to-Wall Built-Ins: Great for making a big statement, especially in open-concept homes.

• Media Niches: Perfect for smaller spaces, framing the TV while still adding extra storage.

• Corner Cabinets: Ideal for rooms where wall space is limited or awkward.

• Floating Units: Sleek and modern, with the bonus of easier cleaning underneath.

The key here is to design around your space, not to force a generic piece into it.

Why Custom Always Beats Pre-Made

We get it—it’s tempting to grab something off the shelf. But here’s the thing:

• Pre-made units rarely fit perfectly.

• Finishes are limited.

• Cable management is usually an afterthought.

• Storage options don’t grow with your needs.

But with custom entertainment cabinets? You’re not just buying furniture—you’re investing in a solution built around your life. And because we’ve been doing this since 1984, we’ve also seen how the right design makes everyday living smoother, calmer, and more enjoyable.

The Closet & Cabinet Experts Built-in Entertainment Cabinets

Here’s what sets us apart:

✔️ We’re not a franchise. We’re locally owned, right here in Coastal Georgia and South Carolina.

✔️ We’ve installed over 30,000 systems, so there’s not much we haven’t seen.

✔️ Our designers are C.I.A.-certified (Closet Institute of America), which means you’re working with pros who understand both function and aesthetics.

✔️ We treat every client like a neighbor—because you are.

And when we design your built-in entertainment cabinets, we’re not just ticking boxes. We’re listening to how your family lives and creating something that makes your daily routine easier.

Visualizing Your Own Entertainment Space

Here’s a little exercise:

Now, close your eyes and picture your living room on a typical night. Do you see cords? Stacks of movies? A TV stand that feels too small for the wall?

Then imagine the same room with a custom-built-in TV cabinet. The TV is perfectly framed. The cords are invisible. The shelves hold your favorite books and family photos. The cabinets keep the rest out of sight.

Feels different, right? Well.. that’s the power of thoughtful design!

Wrapping It Up: Your Living Room, Simplified

At the end of the day, your living room should be a place to relax—not a source of stress. Built-in entertainment cabinets make that possible. They combine beauty and function, hide the chaos, and give your space a polished, intentional feel.

And the best part? You don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s what we’re here for.

So, are you ready to love your space again?

REQUEST A FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION.

No pressure. Just smart ideas, honest advice, and a custom plan designed around your life.