How to Choose the Best Media Cabinet?
Table of Contents
Top Best Media Cabinet Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Media Cabinet?
Media cabinets are not new to the world of interior design. Perhaps, the perfect media cabinet is what you need to give your living space a new look. Although they are primarily for storing CDs, media cabinets can help you hide those parts of your media equipment, like wires and switches, that you don’t want to be exposed to.
Nowadays, media cabinets haven’t been at the top of the must-have lists. That’s because their original purpose was storing CDs and DVDs, which is no longer a significant need. People may think that they’re not necessary. But, media cabinets are still as vital as they were before, especially when you have one that complements your interior décor.
Top 7 Factors You Need To Know When Buying a Media Cabinet
A media cabinet is something you want to fit in nicely with your already existing furniture. Hence, you need to put some thought into it before buying it. They come in several designs, and finding one may seem more complicated than it looks like. However, if you know what you need in a suitable media cabinet, you won’t go wrong in picking the perfect one. The following factors will help you manage your shopping process and make it easier for you.
1. Types of Media Cabinets
Contemporary Media Cabinets
Contemporary media cabinets come in many different designs. However, they all have something in common, which is their fashionable mix of old and modern style. You can find contemporary media cabinets that come in wood – polished, dark, light, or distressed – plastic, glass, and even burnished metal. Many of them are short enough to double as TV stands, but they also tend to have doors where you can store some things. Contemporary media cabinets are very trendy and almost eclectic in style, and they fit perfectly in homes that have an element of flair and elegance.
Modern Media Cabinets
Modern media cabinets are as precise as they sound, and they tend to resemble the art pieces you see in art galleries showcasing modern art. They are mostly crafted with metal, plastic, glass, and manufactured with wood into different bold, creative, and risky designs. Many of these modern designs go against the norm of regular media cabinets, so they may not do much more than hold your TV, media files, and decorative ornaments. They fit well into minimalist rooms and spaces because of their clean lines.
Traditional Media Cabinets
Traditional media cabinets have a more old-fashioned style that features a lot of chests, dressers, and stacked drawers. The primary material used for traditional media cabinets is wood, especially dark wood. Usually, they have a polished exterior, and this gives them a clean and elegant look that fits right in with an old-fashioned interior. Most traditional media cabinets are quite heavy, and they tend to be large and tall, with several shelves or dressers with doors.
Asian Media Cabinets
Asian-style media cabinets are generally inspired by the old Asian designs that feature a lot of gold, redwood, and bold handles and hinges. A lot of them also sport a lot of gold lettering and decoration reminiscent of ancient Asian and Chinese dynasties. They also tend to be short, with stout feet, and they work well as a decorative piece.
Farmhouse Media Cabinets
Farmhouse media cabinets are the more rustic version of the traditional media cabinets. While they are also primarily made with wood, the wood is usually aged to give it a more distressed look. Farmhouse media cabinets have some rougher edges and vintage look that sets it apart from traditional media cabinets. They fit very well in homely houses or log cabins with a lot of exposed wood.
2. The Material of Media Cabinets
Perhaps the most crucial factor you should consider when buying a media cabinet is the material used to construct it. The material determines how much weight it can carry, the type of load to place in it, and, sometimes, the durability of the cabinet. The most popular materials used in making media cabinets are wood, metal, glass, or a combination of any of them. They each have their pros and cons, which you must consider before picking any of them.
Wood Cabinets
For example, wood is probably the sturdiest of the materials, and it can be used alone if it’s heavy enough. Hardwood like oak, mahogany, and pine are popular for making media cabinets, and they can last for years if you adequately care for them. The disadvantage is that they are usually heavier than other materials, and this can make them bulky for one person to manage. They are not water-resistant, except they are coated with a water-resistant material.
Metal Cabinets
Metal media cabinets tend to fall under the modern design of media cabinets when used alone. The metal used is usually coated and polished to prevent rust and corrosion, but they aren’t water-resistant. They tend to be lighter than wood, but that makes many of them too weak to carry the load. Many of them are wall-mounted, but you will find some free-standing cabinets that can carry a limited amount of weight. Metal cabinets are usually combined with wood and glass to make it more durable or more fashionable cabinets.
Glass Cabinets
Glass cabinets are hardly made with just glass. Instead, they are combined with other materials to make sturdier cabinets. Glass cabinets are lighter in weight, but that also prevents them from acting as storage cabinets. They are mostly used for TV stands and decorative ornaments. You can use glass cabinets as decorative pieces in your room.
3. Style
Media cabinets come in a lot of different styles, designs, and colors, so your choice depends on what you want in your living space. Some common styles are listed in this article, but you can always find other styles and combinations of styles that fit your style more. You can also find media cabinets of different heights, depending on what you intend to use them for. Shorter cabinets are usually better for use as TV stands, while a wall-mounted cabinet is more of a decorative piece, and they often can’t hold much weight. Some cabinets come in tall wardrobe styles that are best suited for storage and carrying media equipment.
4. Assembly
Since most of these media cabinets require assembly, you may need to pick something that you can quickly assemble on your own. A lot of cabinets don’t require many tools, except some screwdrivers, but someone with passable skill should only install some of them. The manufacturer or other buyers usually state the assembly information, so you should check first.
Typically, wood cabinets are heavier than the others, and that can translate into a harder and longer assembly if you’re alone. On the other hand, glass and metal cabinets tend to be lighter and easier to install. However, if they have to be wall-mounted, you may need some extra help and tools. In all, it is best to have some help around before buying one, or you go through some reviews to ensure that it can be assembled easily by one person.
5. Storage
The original purpose of a media cabinet, as earlier stated, was to store CDs, cassette tapes, and other old records. Many old-style media cabinets come with shelves and dividers for proper storage of these records, so they lacked some aesthetic appeal. Modern media cabinets are typically suitable to store these records, but you’re more likely to find some with better designs that fit into your house décor and style. And you don’t have to limit them to media files – they can double as a bookshelf or cabinet for files and other documents. You end up having one piece of furniture that serves several purposes, which looks great at the same time.
6. Decoration
Another important use for a media cabinet is a decorating tool for a room or office. They come in various designs, colors, and styles that fit your space and won’t be an issue. You can also place some ornaments, picture frames, and other decorative pieces on and around it if you prefer a great look. A beautiful media stand is an excellent way to implement minimalist décor into your space because it holds a lot of clutter, but it also serves as a design piece if you pick a fancy set.
7. Media Stand
Many media cabinets now double as TV stands, so they hold the TV, sound equipment, home theaters, and all the extra cords and wire that come with them. The shorter cabinets work better as TV stands, but some tall cabinets can also be designed to fit a TV. Alternately, you can mount your TV on the wall and place your other sound and media equipment in your media cabinet to hide the cables.
Final Thoughts
Media cabinets are versatile pieces of furniture that can completely transform the look and aesthetic of your living space if selected correctly. There are so many different styles, colors, shapes, and finishes you can pick from, and once you know what to look out for, it won’t be a problem for you.
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