Protect table surfaces with coasters and keep a stack of napkins nearby so sticky fingers don't spot upholstery. "Nothing's more annoying than having to search for a surface in the middle of a big scene," adds Drake. "Make sure there are tables within easy reach of each seat. Drop-leaf accent tables, cubes or nesting tables can be scattered around the room easily. Guests also need places to store refreshments. Place components and DVDs behind closed doors in storage units that complement decor found elsewhere in the room. Balancing the need for dark with safety is important and can be achieved with floorlevel night lights placed in outlets along side walls or low lighting at the back of the room. "I 'gang' lighting so areas can be lit at different times and to ensure no glare or visual discomfort," says Wolf. "And banish the recliners-if the show is that boring, go to bed!" muses Jamie Drake. Prior to guests' arrival, furniture should be repositioned so it faces the TV from a desirable angle. Let some guests lounge on large pillows tossed onto the floor. A large ottoman gives guests a place to rest feet and can double as seating. Slipcovers are an easy and an inexpensive way to protect furniture upholstered in light or neutral fabrics.Īlthough nice if space allows, it's not necessary to provide a traditional chair or sofa for every guest. "Look for fabrics that are practical, yet soft, like leather." Because guests will likely be snacking, pick fabrics treated with a soil protectant so spills aren't fatal attractions. "Upholstery should have a good pitch to support the neck and back," says Vicente Wolf. Surprisingly, many practical picks for media rooms make sense for chic living rooms too, so merging the two worlds may be easier than anticipated. From these experts, here's what you need to know to transform an existing living room into a double-duty media room that's high-tech savvy without sacrificing one ounce of style. To conquer this ongoing battle between the living room and media room, we've tapped into the creative circuitry of Jamie Drake and Vicente Wolf, two stars of the design elite, and Doug Wilson, who's known for his no-nonsense design approach on Trading Spaces A media room on our terms will be a space comfortable enough for a three-hour film and sophisticated enough for entertaining. But as designer Jamie Drake says, "The world's a techno-driven place today and the reality is that we all watch TV or movies at least a little, and maybe a lot." And considering that by the end of 2009, according to a recent survey by the Consumer Electronics Association, 44 percent of homes will have a TV that's at least 40 inches in size-it's time to admit we love entertainment and tame the elephant in the room. Design aficionados would never let a flat screen TV dictate our decor.
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