AV Soul are as impassioned about creating you the perfect piece of furniture as you are about your AV project and AV passions and interests.

To help design you furniture that is a ‘perfect fit’ – your AV soul mate – we’ve compiled a list of tips and guidance that you may find useful to follow. We constantly add new tips and guidance to our blog – Sign up to our newsletter for regular tips and updates.

  • Look, material & finish

    Considerations

    • What style will best match and compliment your TV and AV kit's styling, colour and finishes?
    • What finish will match or balance well with your current furniture and room décor?
    • How important is the finish? What can you afford? – for example solid wood is more expensive than veneer options.
    • Would you like natural wood or a painted finish? Hand painted? Spray painted? High gloss?

    Tips

    • Dark finishes shows dust more / wear and tear.
    • Light finishes wear better and will not show dust as much.
    • Sometimes pictures can be misleading and colours on computer screens are not always 100% accurate. Get it right! Request a sample.

  • Positioning, measuring up & housing your kit

    Considerations

    • Don't forget to include any feet and cabling outlets/clearance in your measurements.
    • Don't forget to measure your TV's plinth as well as the TV itself.
    • Does the AV furniture require somewhere to position a centre speaker?
    • Check and double check the dimensions, it is very frustrating if you can't achieve the perfect setup because the furniture is the wrong size.
    • Will your unit sit in the corner of the room or centre? Is there an alcove?
    • When fitting into an alcove, have you measured between the skirting boards as well as the wall?
    • Is the room carpeted or hard floored, level or unlevel?
    • Are there any safety issues you need to consider? Do you have children or pets?

    Tips

    • Floor spikes increase stability.
    • A front enclosure will prevent messy fingers and paws from touching AV equipment.
    • Don't forget to consider how you will get the furniture into your house! Are there any tight or awkward access points? Steps/stairs? Does the unit need to be modular to fit through doors/windows/up staircases?

  • Ventilation, cable management and remote controls

    Considerations

    • Consider the positioning and ventilation of amplifiers and receivers which are prone to overheating.
    • Should gaps in shelving or holes in the back allow for cable management?
    • Should the cabinet have removable back panels for easy access to the rear of equipment and cabling?
    • Have you got any wiring which could cause interference if placed close to other wiring?

    Tips

    • Furniture with glass doors will enable IR remote controls to function providing the IR signal can point at the receiver on the AV equipment itself and it is not obstructed by the framework of the door.
    • Tinted glass on TV cabinet doors enables the IR remote controls to operate but keeps obtrusive AV equipment concealed.
    • If you don't want glass or slatted doors, an IR receiver kit will enable you to control your kit with closed doors.