Wow, that is kinda dreadful.

Is that a curtain rod?

Do you have a budget?

I honestly don't think there's hope for a man who thinks that look is acceptable in an adult living room....unless he's 16 years old. Don't understand not using command hooks (not that that would solve your problem).

Cable ties might be a start. And maybe a curtain to cover the tv paraphernalia when not in use. Do you rent? I have never heard not allowing Comand strips. You should have some decorating options when you pay to live there:(.

Double post

This post was edited by roarah on Tue, Sep 23, 14 at 10:55

How about an open TV stand?

Lots of ideas at IKEA, see link below and also click on their gallery of TV/media storage

e.g.

Can also be used with legs

Here is a link that might be useful: IKEA TV/media storage

What is the deal with these men and their video games??

At the very least, set a basket next to the TV and make him wrap up and put all of his controllers and junk inside when he's not using them.

OP posted; "My husband is concerned that a TV stand or entertainment center would restrict airflow and cause them to over heat and reduce their lifespan"

My first thought, "what a shame"...

Ask him why most people do just fine using entertainment centers or shelving to house all that stuff.

Also, suggest to him that the really cool guys know how to consolidate their equipment so there is no need for all those components, and WIRES.

ML

Deja vu! My DH and I have been married for 13 years and the components in our living room still don't have a home ;-) I so regret buying a home that doesn't have even a small little family room space for all that junk. Overheating is the argument du jour here as well.

I hope you can find some type of appropriate open shelving for them to sit on. As for the cords, I've seen friends use paintable conduit that goes down the wall and corrals all the cords inside. Once it's painted, you hardly see it.

If you can't do anything to the wall, then YES to cable ties, and YES to the stand that nosoccermom posted. Maybe you can strategically place a plant or decorative something in front of wherever the wires hang down. Good luck, IME video/tecchie-obsessed DH's do not change.

Here is a link that might be useful: (*#&$)*!! components LOL

This post was edited by melle_sacto on Tue, Sep 23, 14 at 12:06

I am totally unclear as to what that space is - is it an indentation in a living room wall? I also think your problem is totally solveable with an IKEA media cabinet. Even if there are no doors, at least it will be neat, and the wires will all be behind the piece. We have a low modern media console but the cable box, blu-ray player and TV sit on top of it (we use the drawers for throws, remotes and other things). Add a plant and a lamp and it looks great.

sjhockeyfan -- this is a bit of a hijack, but I REALLY LOVE the look of your sectional! It looks like it sits low, and has a low back. How comfortable is it when you sit for a long time to watch a movie? Can you lean back against the wall and support your head, or just sit up straight?

Sam's Club carries some nice entertainment/console systems that have ventilated backs for air flow; the backs are magnetically attached for ease of hooking up components; and are really nice furniture pieces. Not sure what your style is - most of theirs are quite traditional/transitional looking.

They usually bring out one or two promotional pieces for display/stock in the fall through the holidays. I have been fortunate to buy two REALLY nice one made by Whalen - one my my DD a few years back for Christmas and also got one a couple of years after that for my personal use. They really look and feel high-end - I think I paid $479.00 each. I just looked at their Whalen ones they are currently selling and they are a more distressed look, which is quite popular now - just not for me. They don't have to be assembled like some cheapo pieces do - that's a plus for me :).

They also have some nice looking ones that are not the Whalen brand - it's just that I am familiar with these and know how well they are made.
Not sure what your budget is, but if you are renting, at least you can take it with you. I have actually seen some nice looking ones at Walmart.

Here is a link that might be useful: Whalen entertainment system

melle, I love the sectional, but honestly, you've identified the one problem with it - it isn't that comfortable on your neck and upper back if you sit for a long period. We could have opted for adjustable neck rests, but didn't realize then it would be a problem. So if I'm watching a movie, I tend to lean back in the corner with my legs stretched out.

tuesday_2008 -- I have never heard of magnetic backs before, but that makes so much practical sense for anyone who loves to muck around w/things every so often (and has a lot of things to muck around with). I will have to remember that!

sjhockeyfan -- I asked because I really want to replace our sofa/chair that are overstuffed and squishy, with the streamlined vintage sofa/loveseat I got from my grandma. DH is NOT sold on them, and he's already mentioned that they do not appear to be comfortable for reclining back etc. They live on the back patio right now and I'm cleaning them up.

Bummer about the adjustable neck rests, would they have been permanently attached to the sofa?

How deep is the opening? I'd take the money for a console and put it into a larger TV, then hang it right over the opening, wires/equipment behind. Probably need some RF connections. Easy to get the right TV brace to allow airflow behind.

There are tons of consoles available at varied prices shown in the pics. He should not have a problem finding one.

Entertainment stand! How is air flow restricted...the stand and TV are not hugging the wall--see Sjhockey's picture. All the wires are hiddent neatly behind the unit....do not get open shelving below...the wires will all show through when you are seated and watching TV.

Also like technicolors idea of hanging a bigger screen over the opening with all the wires tucked inside.

Men are so clueless. Good luck.

I have my TV mounted on an arm. TV is equipped with an "eye" that allows all components, including Wii, to be stored in another room. My kids store their Wii numchucks, etc. In a basket. Any electrician can set this up for you.

If you find some thing you want to put your electronics in but are worried about air flow most intertainment units are really easy to pop the backs off of. The guy at the electronic store recommended that to us when dh was shopping for all new toys to go with his new tv a few years ago. He was worried about airflow because I was insisting it all fit on one shelf behind a glass door.

Also, if all the components are in that recess, there's a solid wall behind them, too. It doesn't seem that there's more airflow than a TV unit without a back; in fact, probably less air flow because you can move the unit further away from the wall..

If it's bothering YOU, but you don't have a problem with all his paraphilnellia and such, it seems HE should accommodate you and work on the problem being mutually solved. As others have suggested, a stand or cabinet will have no bearing on air flow, so maybe it's his way of telling you he doesn't want to spend the money, w/o flat out saying 'I don't want to spend the money.' Also look on your local craigslist if you live in/ near a large city, or even the classified ads.

Marriage is give and take, that's what makes some of them so successful. Resentments, even on small issues, break down what could otherwise be a wonderful relationship. Speak now, or forever hold you peace.

Craigslist is a great resource for IKEA furniture. (I myself have sold a couple of kitchen islands, and a Hemnes dresser, and a quick peek just now indicates there are many shelving units available inexpensively).

Boy, it does seem like there are a lot of guys in this world concerned about air flow of their video games.

I didn't realize it was possible to store them in another room- do you have to buy a TV with an "eye" built in for that or is it an add on device?

coll 123, it is an add-on device for us. We have AT&T Uverse and they provided the RF gadget for their devices. Ours is in a closed bookcase below the TV. The signal goes right thru the doors with no problem. I would assess the heat build up as minimal.

I used RF repeaters on all of our stuff, as well. Being able to hide all of that junk in a cabinet was well worth the $20 I spent. It was a very simple install, too :)

That is great to know- we only have an xbox and a cable receiver and luckily my husband doesn't seem overly concerned about overheating. But it seems like with the new technology, there is no reason to have to have that stuff sitting out if you don't want it too.

Thank you everyone. The area is a recessed window so they are also getting some sunlight granted only for a few hours in a day since the next house blocks most of the light. He figures if his electronics get too hot, then he can just open the window and open the patio door and get some airflow, so he loves this set up. I might be able to convince him of sjhokeyfan's idea of a media cabinet with the electronics on top and the wires dangling behind. Then stick all the extra stuff in the cabinet. Magnetic backs sound amazing Tuesday_2008. Thank you for the ideas! I really love technicolor's idea of a larger TV to cover the whole space but we can't hang things in this house. It really is a nightmare when it comes to decorating. No command strips are allowed as they tear off the ultra fine wallpaper. Luckily there have been some hooks already placed and most of the windows already have curtain rods.

how large is the tv? I would recommend covering the hole with a screen or curtains or art? I would then set the tv on the console and put the components in the openings of the console. Maybe you can buy a larger flat screen?

So all of that mess is not only cluttering up your living room, but blocking a window and visible from outside?? We need to have a serious sit-down with that man of yours!

Yay! I finally convinced my husband to get a used TV stand that has a lot of airflow. We are still working on getting all the cables organized and I'm looking for baskets that will fit in the bottom section to hide the wires spilling down but here is what it looks like so far.

A piece of advice if you like. Why not get a wall mounted led TV for you? It will save electricity bill plus other features like accommodated in less space along with high quality of pictures are associated with it. Give a thought.

Huge improvement!

Much nicer! Now you just need to convince him to move the TV away from the windows. The electronics don't need that much air flow. :-)

Also, consider using binder clips to organize the cords some more. They're cheap and easily changeable.

Here is a link that might be useful: binder clips for cord control ideas

It looks so much nicer and more organized now :-)

geokid -- great idea with binder clips! My DH uses zip ties and so is rather UNinclined to change anything once he's bundled them up.