| If you're getting set to start your basement | | | | May need to leave doors open to allow for |
| finishing project, and are considering including a | | | | ventilation so equipment doesn't overheat. |
| theater room or at least a family room with | | | | 5. If you plan to have a wet bar nearby in your |
| some high-powered home theater equipment, | | | | basement finishing project, plan for one cabinet to |
| then you might also be wondering how to | | | | have glass doors and shelves for your equipment. |
| camoflauge all of that fancy equipment! | | | | 4. Recess your t.v. or screen and your shelves on |
| Nothing kills "new home theater euphoria" quite like | | | | either side. Then, install curtains (very |
| an ugly stack of equipment in the corner or (even | | | | theater-esque) that will hide the equipment. If you |
| worse!) equipment littering the base of your t.v. or | | | | really want to create the maximum effect with |
| projection screen. But what should you do about | | | | this option, put the curtain on a track with a |
| all that stuff? How can you conceal the equipment | | | | motor that can open and close it as much or as |
| needed to create a high-octane theater room? | | | | little as you want. Who knows, maybe you can |
| Should you even be worrying about this with all | | | | even start charging admission?! |
| the other things you need to do to prepare for | | | | 3. Install an infrared eye and repeater. Infrared |
| the start of your basement finishing project? | | | | eye (about the size of a dime) goes anywhere |
| Don't despair! Yes, this is the right time to think | | | | near the t.v./screen. Wire from the eye to the |
| about this. What's more, we've come up with the | | | | repeater is hidden behind the drywall. Repeater is |
| top 10 ideas to help you effectively conceal your | | | | installed in a closet/storage space/mechanical |
| home theater equipment, without sacrificing the | | | | room or anywhere else your equipment will be |
| functionality of your equipment, or your | | | | hidden. When you use your standard infrared |
| basement. | | | | remote, the eye tells the repeater to talk to the |
| Drum roll please... | | | | equipment and do your bidding. |
| 10. Do Nothing. O.k. this doesn't actually conceal | | | | 2. Wire your home theater system into your |
| anything, but if you are of a minimalist persuasion | | | | existing home automation center and control the |
| and don't break into a cold sweat thinking about | | | | basement with an additional home center remote. |
| looking at all your equipment, then just put the | | | | While this is an awesome option, it only works if |
| equipment on a shelf near your t.v./screen. Your | | | | you already have a home automation program |
| basement finishing project won't be the first on | | | | installed in the rest of the house, or are willing to |
| the block to go with this set-up. | | | | spend the money now to remodel it into your |
| 9. Buy a large plant. Again, for the minimalist this is | | | | existing home. |
| probably an acceptable solution. Disguise the | | | | And the #1 way to hide your audio/visual |
| equipment with a large plant that will still allow the | | | | equipment for your basement home theater |
| infrared signal from your remote(s). | | | | system is... Stick your equipment in any old room |
| 8. Create shelving in a wall and cover the opening | | | | in the house, and buy yourself an RF Remote |
| with a painting. While this requires a little more | | | | System. While this will still require speakers and |
| effort to change out DVDs and Blu-Rays, it is an | | | | video wiring to be run inside the walls, you don't |
| effective way to conceal your equipment. | | | | need any special wiring for eyes to repeat the |
| Overheating could be a potential hazard with this | | | | infrared signal from your remote. The RF remote |
| option though. | | | | signal will go through walls and can talk to the |
| 7. Wire your basement components so they'll | | | | signal receiver as far as 100 ft. away. |
| work off the components from your t.v. area | | | | Don't stress out about the home theater in your |
| upstairs. Absolutely, positively, WILL NOT be seen | | | | basement finishing project! There's a solution for |
| from the basement. The big downside is running | | | | every budget out there. With a little help from a |
| up and down the stairs constantly! | | | | qualified pro, and some careful planning, you'll soon |
| 6. Cover your wall shelving with cabinet doors. If | | | | be the talk of the neighborhood! |
| done properly, you can create stunning built-ins | | | | Building more... |
| that will wow! your neighbors when they are over. | | | | |