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We've featured a few ways to build a cheap entertainment center before, but oftentimes these solutions are too open, displaying all your bulky gear and cables. Here's how to clean things up by adding some doors, while still keeping it all functional.
Sliding Doors for Large Shelving Units: This instructable will show you how to build. Yeah you could laminate the other stuff, but it would be a pain and add some expense. Instructions assume that the area behind the doors will be open. Add a shot of color. Coat the backs of open shelves in a saturated paint color, or cover them in pretty wallpaper. Choose a color that contrasts strongly with the cabinet finish to make an emphatic statement; if subtlety is your style, go with a more restrained hue.
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Using other units for media centers can save you quite a bit of cash, but they don't always look quite as good. They're either open (like a bookshelf) or they come with drawers, which are less than ideal for a home theater set-up. DIYer Mitch took his IKEA set of drawers and converted them into cupboards instead, keeping the receivers nicely hidden while still saving a good $100 over most closed media centers. All you need to do is separate the front of the drawer and add some hinges, and you've got yourself a perfectly working media center. It seems obvious, but will save you quite a bit of money with minimal work.
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Furthermore, he's augmented his set-up by keeping the backs open to help airflow, and using an infrared repeater that allows him to use the remote control with the doors closed. That way, he doesn't need to open the cupboard every time he watches TV (thus completely defeating the purpose of installing the doors in the first place). It's a pretty good way to save money by using non-media center units without it looking cheap. Hit the link for more information, and share your media center tips in the comments.
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