Entertainment center ideas for small spaces
55 Brilliant Entertainment Center Ideas
By
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy is a DIY expert and writer with over five years of hands-on experience cooking, crafting, and making home decor projects. She has a degree in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and continues to be passionate about environmentally friendly DIY projects. Lauren has also written for Earth 911, Forbes Advisor, and HuffPost.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 03/09/22
ExperienceInteriors / Getty Images
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, the living room is the nervous system. Entertainment centers are a central part of any living room (but can also be found in playrooms, movie rooms, and even bedrooms). They typically hold your television, movies, and various electronic devices, including video game consoles.
Entertainment centers are centerpieces that get plenty of visual attention, especially if you’re watching a movie, so it’s important that they look their best. The options for designing and decorating your entertainment center are practically limitless. Add a festive garland to celebrate the holidays or a floral arrangement to keep things looking (and smelling) fresh. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of variations to choose from. Here’s some inspiration.
Face Seating Away
Try facing couches and chairs toward each other instead of directly at your entertainment center and TV. That encourages more social interaction among your family and house guests and encourages them not to just stare at the TV in silence. You can always rearrange when you’re ready to watch a movie together.
Cover Wires
Piles of DVDs and tangled cords can instantly make your space look and feel cluttered. Hide them away with cabinet doors on your entertainment center to clean things up a bit. This seemingly simple tactic can make your entertainment center look much more sleek and clean.
Extra Storage
Are you a movie buff? Make room for your collection by adding lots of shelves and drawers for extra storage. If you don’t have enough physical copies of movies to fill them up, add other decorations, like books or sculptures.
Full Wall Entertainment Center
Build or buy an entertainment center that perfectly fits the width of your room. The shelving systems will look like built-ins, making your home look classically chic.
Upgrade Hardware
If you’re looking for a way to rejuvenate your current entertainment center for a small amount of money, update the hardware. Buy new drawer pulls to instantly give your entertainment center a brand new look and feel. You can easily interchange the hardware yourself in minutes. Upgrading hardware is an inexpensive and extremely easy way to update the look of any piece of furniture.
Add Greenery
Houseplants are great mood boosters, and they can make any space look fresh and inviting. Add a few plants to your entertainment center for a simple yet sophisticated decor piece. Place smaller plants on the entertainment center itself or consider adding larger potted plants, like fiddle leaf fig trees, on either side of it on the floor.
Clean and Simple Entertainment Center
Consider mounting your TV, hiding devices, and going with a clean, white entertainment center to tone things down. Screens can be visually noisy, so keeping the things around it simple makes the space a little more relaxing.
Place Your Entertainment Center Against a Textured Wall
Add interest by placing your entertainment center against a textured wall, like exposed brick or stone. If you don’t already have a textured wall in your home, consider installing a shiplap wall to make one.
Add Decorative Shelves
Install simple shelves above your entertainment center to place small decorative items, like potted succulents or holiday knick knacks. This will add an adorable touch to your space, making it feel more like home without adding unnecessary clutter to your entertainment center. You won’t have to worry about your decorations getting in the way of the TV, either.
Light It Up
If your entertainment center is the focal point of your room, decorate it so that it stands out. Add string lights around it, which especially looks nice around the holidays, or small tabletop lamps next to the TV to flick on when you want soft lighting.
Surround It With Shelves
Televisions are practically an entertainment necessity these days, but they can look clunky and dark. Allow yours to blend into your entertainment center by surrounding it with shelves. Fill the shelves with interesting decor pieces and lots of books. You can even use the shelves to store your movies (if you still have physical copies, that is).
How to Build Floor-to-Ceiling Shelves
Buffet Entertainment Center
A buffet table, otherwise known as a sideboard or buffet, is a long and low furniture piece. They’re typically found in dining rooms where they display and store items like serving ware and linens. But these pieces are very versatile. Use yours as a makeshift entertainment center for an entertainment center with a twist.
Built-In Entertainment Center
Install your entertainment center so that it's flush with your wall to give it a vintage built-in look. Doing this will make room for your TV and entertainment center without cramping the living room, which will save valuable floor space.
Decorate With Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are a great way to decorate without cluttering your space. Add a few above your entertainment center and place photos, decorations, or anything else you want on them. Shelving above your entertainment center will draw the eye up and relieve some of the attention your entertainment center gets, allowing you to keep its decor clean and simple.
Cover It With Curtains
Entertainment centers don’t always match your home’s look, especially if you’re going for a very minimalist style. Solve this problem by installing a curtain rod across the entirety of your room and hanging a soft, flowy curtain. Use the curtains to cover up your entertainment center when you’re not using it.
Apply Statement Wallpaper
Bring your living space to life with statement wallpaper, like wallpaper with a bold print or an intricate design. This will liven things up without making it look too busy. Since you’ll be staring at your entertainment center anyway, why not add some extra style?
If you’re a renter and wallpaper isn’t an option, you can still get this look. There are plenty of retailers who sell removable wallpaper or decals that you can take off before you move out without worrying about ruining the paint.
Black and White Theme
Most televisions are matte black or very dark gray. Decorate around your TV with contrasting furniture and decor, like a crisp white entertainment center and white walls. Add a few black furniture pieces throughout the room to keep it visually interesting.
Off-Center Television
Typically, your TV is the centerpiece of your entertainment center. Go against the grain and place it off-centered so that it isn’t the focal point of the piece. Decorate with plants, photos, cabinets, and other pieces to draw the eye all around the entertainment center.
Go Retro
If you’re going for a mid-century modern look, consider thrifting a vintage television and side table to act as your entertainment center. This is especially great if you’re not an avid TV-watcher because older televisions are fairly small.
Hidden Cabinets
Entertainment centers can be bulky. If you have a small space, bulky furniture pieces are a big no. Utilize the built-in entertainment style and paint your storage cabinets the same color as the wall, essentially hiding them from plain view.
Inset Entertainment Center
Set your TV and entertainment center into the wall and add an accent piece, like a colorful panel, behind it. You won’t be able to stop staring at your entertainment center, even when the TV is off.
TV Cutout
Consider adding a TV-shaped cutout in your wall to place your television. Underneath, you can install cabinets, either built-in or not, to hold the accessories you would put in any typical entertainment center.
Add Statement Art
Decorate your entertainment center with a statement art piece that matches the look of your home. This will prevent the entertainment center (and your big, black television) from sticking out like a sore thumb. With a statement art piece, your entertainment center will blend into the rest of your decor. Make your own art to save money.
Entertainment Center With Sliding Dors
Install sliding doors on your entertainment center, no matter what its material is. Add modern hardware to make the piece look classy and use the sliding doors to hide your wires and not-so-aesthetic accessories, like movies and video games.
Combined Furniture Pieces
Combine multiple shelving units of the same aesthetic (maybe even the same brand) to create your own one-of-a-kind entertainment center. Use a combination of bookshelves, dressers, and TV stands for a multi-functional piece.
Small Shelves Under Mounted TV
Separate your television and cabinet-style entertainment center with a strip or two of thin shelves. The shelves can hold things like DVD players or video game consoles, keeping the top of your entertainment center clean and making room for decor pieces if you’d like to add some interest.
Small Wooden Entertainment Center
Entertainment centers range significantly in size. To tone things down in your space, opt for a small entertainment center. Some people think TVs instantly make a space less cozy, so choose a wooden entertainment center to incorporate more natural materials and coziness. Small and wooden is the ultimate combination.
Layered Entertainment Center
Create your own entertainment center by layering furniture pieces. Place a long dresser or shelf system on the floor for storage, mount your TV above it, and install a cabinet system above that. You’ll have plenty of storage space for your belongings and enough room to hide unsightly wires, too.
Corner Entertainment Center
It can be tough to arrange your dream living room in a small space. Corner entertainment centers help solve that problem. They’re specifically designed to fit perfectly in the corner of a room, which is normally a difficult area to furnish. That frees up the rest of the space in your home for important furniture pieces, like sofas.
Repurposed Vintage Crate
Make your own entertainment center with a vintage crate. You can often find vintage crates at your local thrift store. Find one that’s in relatively good shape (or restore it yourself), add legs if needed, and voila! You’ve got your own shabby chic entertainment center.
DIY Pallet Entertainment Center
Wood pallets are relatively easy to find—they’re commonly used for shipping, and most retailers don’t have a need for them after they’ve received their products. Ask around and find a free one. Pallets are extremely versatile, and they make excellent DIY entertainment centers.
Repaint Thrifted Furniture
Refreshing thrifted furniture is eco-friendly and inexpensive. With some sanding, a few coats of paint, and sealant, you can have an entertainment center that looks as good as new. DIYing your own piece also allows you to customize it to match your room’s current aesthetic.
Add a Decorative Ladder
If your entertainment center is tall and wide, consider using its shelves to display your favorite books. Add a ladder to make it look even more like a miniature library. Just specify whether or not it’s functional to visitors.
Allow Air to Circulate
Electronic devices get hot when they’re running, so consider placing your entertainment center a few inches away from the wall to increase ventilation and prevent your devices from overheating.
Barn Door Entertainment Center
Barn doors are door panels hung from the top on a horizontal rod that allows them to swing from side to side to open and close. They are a trendy alternative to the classic hinged doors and look great in farmhouse style homes. Use this tactic on your entertainment center to give it a rustic feel.
Transformed Dresser Entertainment Center
Instead of going out to purchase a piece of furniture specified as an entertainment center, repurpose a dresser. This could be the dresser from your old bedroom, a thrifted piece, or even a brand new one. If needed, transform it with a coat of paint and updated hardware to make it look super stylish.
Cube Shelf Entertainment Center
Cube shelves are popular for storing things like books, toys, and even craft supplies. There’s really no limit to what you can put in them. Transform your cube shelves into a makeshift entertainment center. Use the cubbies to hold all of your accessories and decor pieces.
Reclaimed Wood Entertainment Center
If you love the environment, you’ll love using reclaimed wood to make an entertainment center. Visit your local reuse store or use scrap wood from your woodshop to create your very own simple entertainment center out of reclaimed wood. This DIY is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly.
Shiplap Built-Ins
Some older homes come with built-in shelving that makes the space look classic and streamlined, not cluttered. If your house doesn’t have them, don’t worry. You can make your own with shiplap, an easy-to-work-with wall material made up of white panels. When put together, shiplap creates a muted stripe pattern. The pattern is subtle and simple yet stylish and modern.
Hang Art
Hang a piece of art above your entertainment center to bring more attention to the space. Choose a piece from your favorite artist or channel your inner Picasso and paint one yourself. Either way, make sure the colors match the rest of your space so everything ties in nicely.
Store Accessories in Fabric Bins
You can soften things up by using fabric bins or wicker baskets in place of cabinets and drawers. Simply remove cabinets or drawers from your entertainment center and replace them with the bins or consider purchasing a new entertainment center with space for them. Bins and baskets create a more natural look, but they still provide ample storage space for all of your things.
Industrial Shelving Entertainment Center
Industrial shelves are surprisingly simple to DIY. In just a weekend, you can make your own. You can even use reclaimed wood as the shelf material to make it a more budget-friendly DIY.
Simple DIY Entertainment Center
Build your own DIY entertainment center that’s strong enough to hold your TV and has the storage space to hide your wires and accessories.
Set up Decorative Bookends
While books can be decorative and stylish on their own, sometimes they need a little sprucing up. Use your entertainment center to display books and decorative bookends. If you don’t already have fun bookends to display, shop for them at your local thrift store or home goods store. There are plenty of options on the market, so you’ll be able to find ones that match your look.
Personalize With Photos
Make your space more your own by adding personal touches, like family photos. Your entertainment center is the perfect surface to place photo frames on. The more, the merrier!
If you like displaying your photos elsewhere, you can personalize your entertainment center in other ways. Display your kids’ artwork (or yours) or trophies.
Place a Blanket Ladder Nearby
There’s not much better than cozying up on the couch to watch a good movie. Adding a blanket or two in the mix is even better. Your blankets can double as functional decor, too. Display them with a blanket ladder to make your living space feel even cozier and to keep your blankets within reach the next time you want to curl up for a movie night with your friends.
Light Candles
Lighting candles is a great way to improve the ambiance in any space. Add one (or multiple) to your entertainment center to light on cozy days indoors. You can make your own candles with a few simple supplies or buy your own from your favorite home goods store.
The 13 Best Scented Candles to Create a Relaxing Ambiance
Frame the TV
Make your TV stand out by framing it. You can do this in a few different ways. You could literally frame it with a DIY or custom frame or you can place a decorative backboard behind it to help it stand out.
To make a decorative backboard, nail or glue multiple pieces of reclaimed wood side by side. Install it on the wall above your entertainment center and mount your TV over top to make it pop. Then store your things in a cabinet-style entertainment center below it.
Hide TV Behind Cabinet Doors
Choose an entertainment center with cabinet doors that can close over your TV. That way, you can hide it when you’re not using it.
Armoire Entertainment Center
Using an armoire as an entertainment center is a great option if you like to hide your TV on occasion for whatever reason. Some people prefer to hide their TV because it takes up valuable decorating space while others prefer to make their space look free of modern electronics. Either way, an armoire will help you achieve the look you want.
IKEA Hack
IKEA is a relatively inexpensive furniture store, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of DIY tutorials out there instructing consumers how to “hack” their products. That involves making them over to personalize them and make them look even more stylish. Purchase multiple IKEA pieces, like bookshelves and dressers, and combine them to make the ultimate DIY entertainment center.
Go Without a TV
Instead of displaying a television, display a fabulous work of art or a beautiful potted plant on your entertainment center. Without a TV, you won’t be putting extra focus on electronics (which some people don’t love). You can always watch a movie on your laptop or consider using a portable TV that you take out only when you need it.
Add Seasonal Garlands
Rotating your decorations seasonally keeps things fresh and interesting. Add a seasonal garland to your entertainment center to keep it looking up-to-date and trendy. Purchase or make your own holiday garland in the winter, flower garland in the spring, shell garland in the summer, and a garland of maple leaves in autumn. You can also make garlands out of cranberries and dried oranges, which look and smell wonderful during the holidays.
Bamboo Entertainment Center
Bamboo is a strong, natural material that’s often used to make furniture. If your first priority when it comes to home decor is sustainability, opt for a bamboo entertainment center.
Keep It In Sight
Set up your entertainment center so that it's level with your line of sight from the couch. This will make watching a movie a much more enjoyable experience because you'll be able to properly focus on the television without maneuvering around or craning your neck.
8 Best Entertainment Centers for Smaller Rooms
Your home theater is more than just a killer sound system and TV or projector. It’s about the décor, the support components, and the way you tie it all together. Finding the right entertainment center for a smaller space can be harder than you would expect. In fact, when I was younger and in need of a smaller entertainment center, I found it almost impossible to find one that offers solid construction, stylish designs, and ample storage.
So what are the 8 best entertainment centers for smaller rooms?
- Ameriwood Home Elevation AltraMount TV Stand
- Annie TV Stand
- Bush Furniture Visions Tall Corner TV Stand
- Convenient Concepts Designs2Go Deluxe 2-Door TV Stand
- Hayward TV Stand
- ORE International Corner TV Stand
- WE Furniture Modern Farmhouse Wood Corner Universal Stand
- Zoel TV Stand
Small rooms tend to call for smaller entertainment centers. Most expert home theater designers recommend sticking to entertainment centers that are 48 inches or less in width. Entertainment centers that go beyond this often protrude into smaller home theaters and can limit the space you have for other furniture as well as mobility.
With that being said, below I list some of the best entertainment centers for smaller rooms and we have another article on the best soundbars for small rooms as well.
1. Ameriwood Home Elevation AltraMount TV Stand
The Ameriwood Home Elevation AltraMount TV Stand (on Amazon) offers a sleek, modern spin on entertainment centers. Offered in black, this open entertainment center offers plenty of space via three differently-sized, large shelves.
In addition to this, flat-screen TVs up to 60-inches wide can be mounted directly to the stand itself. This means you can appreciate the appeal of a mounted TV without having to punch holes in your walls. (This is great if you are renting!)
The sturdy metal frame can support TVs up to 175 pounds; the floating shelves attach to this metal frame and can support all of your entertainment center needs. Additionally, if you do opt for wall mounting your TV, the included mount can be easily removed from the unit, leaving just the floating shelves.
Also, if you want to attach the entertainment center to the wall to prevent accidental tipping, screws and instructions for doing so are included.
Measurements:
Based on the dimensions of the largest shelf, this Ameriwood entertainment center measures 58.125 inches high, 29.5 inches wide and 20.1875 inches deep. The weight of this model is roughly 50.72 pounds.
Pros:
- Sleek and modern design.
- Extremely compact for even the smallest of home theaters.
- Easy to assemble.
- Metal frame makes this entertainment center, including the shelves, capable of supporting heavy entertainment components.
- The open shelves allow full ventilation of your electronics, such as your Blu-ray player, cable box or game console.
Cons:
- The included mount does not allow for tilting; your TV will face straight out.
- The wall-mounting screws may be too short for appropriate anchoring depending on your wall.
2. Annie TV Stand
The Annie TV Stand (on Wayfair) was designed to support TVs up to 32 inches wide or up to 50 pounds. Available in three colors (French Oak Grey, Americano Medium Brown, and Columbia Walnut Dark Brown), the Annie TV Stand is made from manufactured wood topped with premium laminate.
Style-wise, the Annie TV Stand is a contemporary piece that offers 2 adjustable shelves and a large drawer for all your storage needs. Entirely open, the shelving area offers ample ventilation to ensure your game console, Blu-ray player or other devices do not overheat.
The minimalist design offers clean lines and a silhouette that compliments almost any décor or style. Deep enough to support both a flat-screen TV and a soundbar, this entertainment center is a compact solution to all your small space home theater needs.
Measurements:
The full entertainment center measures 15-1/8 inches high, 31-1/2 inches wide and 12-3/4 inches deep. Easy to assemble, the Annie TV Stand weighs in at just over 16 pounds.
Pros:
- Modern and stylish, this sleek entertainment center offers plenty of space for your electronics.
- Multiple color choices ensure you can select a model that best fits your motif.
- Lightweight but sturdy construction makes this easy to move around your room.
Cons:
- The shelf area is not adjustable, which can affect what you store in it.
3. Bush Furniture Visions Tall Corner TV Stand
The Bush Furniture Visions Tall Corner TV Stand (on Amazon) saves on space but offers plenty of open storage options.
Built to support flat-screen TVs up to 37 inches wide or 64 pounds, this entertainment center is constructed from MDF board, a black laminate topping, and one tempered glass door. (You do not have to worry about items inside not being ventilated, the back of the “cabinet” is open.)
With one entirely open shelf and 3 adjustable ones within the cabinet, this entertainment center will hold everything from electronics to décor items.
Measurements:
The full entertainment center measures 31 inches high, 31 inches wide and 19.5 inches deep. Fully assembled, the Bush Furniture Visions Tall Corner TV Stand weighs 70.3 pounds.
Pros:
- A truly compact unit, this entertainment center takes up minimal floor space.
- Plenty of ventilation means your electronics are less likely to overheat.
- The heavy construction means this tall unit is less likely to fall over.
Cons:
- The Bush Furniture Visions Tall Corner TV Stand comes only in black, which may not match everyone’s décor.
4. Convenient Concepts Designs2Go Deluxe 2-Door TV Stand
The Designs2Go Deluxe 2-Door TV Stand (on Amazon) by Convenient Concepts offers both open shelf support and an enclosed storage area.
Made of a beautiful wood-grain laminated MDF and composite plastics, this entertainment center comes in 3 color options: black with cherry doors, weathered grey, and white with black doors. Compact in nature, this stand should be used to support TVs up to 40 inches, or 70 pounds maximum.
Measurements:
The full entertainment center measures 20.5 inches high, 35.5 inches wide and 15.8 inches deep. Fully assembled, the Designs2Go Deluxe 2-Door TV Stand weighs 43.2 pounds.
Pros:
- This is a truly compact entertainment center, measuring under 36 inches.
- The modern design can fit in with almost any décor.
- Easy to assemble, the dynamic color schemes are chic yet bold.
- Enclosed and open storage areas offer plenty of options for your entertainment center needs.
Cons:
- The plastic end caps are easy to break if overstressed.
- Some users were disappointed that the “metal” supports for the open shelf were composite plastic.
5. Hayward TV Stand
The Hayward TV Stand (at AllModern.com) offers a retro, yet modern feel that can support flat-screen TVs up to 49 inches or 88 pounds. Offering both open storage as well as a concealed compartment, this entertainment center sits atop 4 wooden spoke legs.
Coming in both white and a natural wood grain variation, the Hayward TV Stand is made of manufactured wood and laminate.
Measurements:
The Hayward TV Stand measures 25.8 inches high, 43 inches wide and 14.17 inches deep. The non-adjustable shelf on the open side provides two 7.28 inch high by 26.77 inch wide spaces. The enclosed space, however, gives you a 15.21 inch high by 13.78 inch wide cabinet. This entertainment center measures 40.21 pounds once fully assembled.
Pros:
- The sleek, retro design includes ample storage for all of your electronic needs.
- Two-wire holes are drilled into both sections of the open shelving to allow for easy cable management.
Cons:
- Shelving is not adjustable.
- There is no shelf within the cabinet section.
6. ORE International Corner TV Stand
The ORE International Corner TV Stand (on Amazon) is a great space-saving option. Available in natural wood or black, this entertainment center is constructed from medium density fiberboard and wood composite.
For those who still buy compact discs (CDs), this TV stand includes space for up to 52 and conveniently uses these portions to help support the two large open shelves. What makes this entertainment center stand out, however, are the wheels it sits upon.
For those who worry about scratching their floors or who simply like to rearrange their spaces frequently, the ORE International Corner TV Stand allows for just that.
With angled rear corners but a flat back, this entertainment center can be placed against a wall or in a corner without jutting too far into your room. The ORE International Corner TV Stand supports TVs up to 35 inches.
Measurements:
The ORE International Corner TV Stand measures 30 inches high, 35 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Once built, the entertainment center weighs in at 47.5 pounds.
Pros:
- Wheels make it easy to move this entertainment center around without fear of scratching your floors.
- Open construction allows for plenty of ventilation and storage.
Cons:
- The ORE International Corner TV Stand only supports smaller TVs.
7. WE Furniture Modern Farmhouse Wood Corner Universal Stand
The Walker Edison Furniture Company (WE Furniture) designed this Modern Farmhouse Wood Corner Universal Stand (on Amazon) to support flat screen TVs up to 50-inches up to 250 pounds. Made of high-grade MDF, this entertainment center comes in 8 durable laminated colors, to include traditional brown, barnwood brown, black, driftwood, espresso, grey wash, reclaimed barnwood, and white oak. This entertainment center includes an adjustable shelf, enclosed with tempered glass doors, for ample storage of your décor or electronics. Because the rear edges are cut at an angle, this entertainment center can be conveniently placed in either a corner or flush against a wall – whichever works best for your small space!
Measurements:
At its widest points, this entertainment center (our top 8 list with fireplaces) measures 23 inches high, 44 inches wide and 16 inches deep. Fully assembled, the Modern Farmhouse Wood Corner Universal Stand weighs 66 pounds.
Pros:
- Assembly is easy; the entertainment center can be assembled by one person in under an hour.
- Angled cuts allow the entertainment center to be placed anywhere in the room.
- Sturdy construction, quality materials and 8 color options make this entertainment a popular choice for smaller home theaters.
Cons:
- If your cable box or surround sound receiver are larger than 12 inches, they will likely be too large for storing within the enclosed area.
8. Zoel TV Stand
Sleek and modern, this entertainment center just makes the list. The Zoel TV Stand (at AllModern.com) is one of the most unique pieces on this list.
Composed of a series of dynamic boxes, this stylish TV stand is assembled using manufactured wood pieces. With plenty of open spaces, your electronics receive plenty of ventilation to prevent overheating. Solidly built, the Zoel TV Stand supports TVs up to 50 inches wide or up to 88 pounds.
Measurements:
The full entertainment center measures 23.75 inches high, 47.25 inches wide and 15.75 inches deep. The central, backed shelf measures 3.88 inches high and 9.25 inches wide. The top shelf and bottom shelf, however, each measures 5.5 inches high and 21.75 inches wide. The Zoel TV Stand weighs 68.2 pounds when fully assembled.
Pros:
- The design is dynamic, modern, and unique.
- Plenty of open space allows for optimal ventilation and ample storage of electronics and décor items.
Cons:
- The Zoel TV Stand comes only in an espresso finish.
- Although it measures under 48 inches, this is one of the larger “small” entertainment centers featured on this list.
Entertainment centers of the future in the shopping center: features and trends
In December, a new children's entertainment center Choka-Loka, designed and built by New Horizons , was opened in the Moscow shopping and entertainment center Buta. Natalia Likhovetskaya, an expert in the children's entertainment industry and head of the Choka-Loka project, reveals interesting details about the industry and the new metropolitan park for children.
ShopAndMall.ru: Natalia, please tell us what trends can you identify in the children's entertainment industry today?
Natalya Likhovetskaya: The entertainment industry has always been and remains very popular and attractive to investors. However, some of them think that opening a children's amusement park is just "easy money". With this approach, investors can lose all invested funds and become disillusioned with this business. It is very important to correctly define the concept and format that the market needs: whether it is an activity park, a family amusement park, a trampoline complex or slot machines. You need to be very clear about your target audience, their expectations and the average check they can pay. No less important is the location of the future project. I have been in the children's entertainment industry for a long time and I can state that the concept of activity parks is gradually dying out, today the consumer needs to additionally offer slot machines, air hockey, VR technologies, and, finally, interactive solutions.
SAM: What do you think are the most relevant locations for entertainment projects today and why?
NL: We are seeing a trend towards the opening of a large number of children's entertainment centers in small district malls "within walking distance" with an area of only 5-10 thousand square meters. meters. They are perfectly filled with visitors - we can see this on the example of our "Choka-Loka" in Butovo, where parents are happy to bring their children even from neighboring areas.
SAM: Please tell us more specifically about the types of play and activity zones that must be present in entertainment spaces today in order to be in demand.
N. A.: In my opinion, a set of traditional game elements for activity parks has already become established in our market: labyrinths, spiders, tubing slides, dry pools with balls - all this is consistently popular with young visitors. The question is how exactly to make such game elements? We have taken a course on cutting-edge design combined with innovative effects and technical solutions to ensure that our park is exactly thematic, and not just a set of colorful equipment! Today, highly artistic decor is important, the active use of equipment lighting, elements made of transparent polycarbonate in combination with interactive elements - all this creates a completely different picture of familiar equipment in terms of the level of perception!
SAM: Then please tell us more about your new children's entertainment center. What was his idea and concept?
NL: Before starting the practical implementation of the project, we conducted a study testing five thematic concepts. As a result, the idea proposed by New Horizons, which has been the leader in the Russian market of outdoor and indoor entertainment equipment for more than 20 years, was chosen, the idea of a “country of sweets”, which is very positively perceived by both children and adult guests of our entertainment center. Under the chosen concept, this contractor developed an excellent design project, selected and manufactured equipment, and also completed the entire range of turnkey works.
SAM: What are the main technical parameters and layout features? What solutions were offered to you by the design company?
N.L.: Initially, we had a one-story building with a high ceiling, but the New Horizons designers proposed to use the space more rationally and make the mezzanine floor, placing rooms for children's parties there so that our little guests would not have to go down to the first floor every time they want to play. We connected the mezzanine floor and the upper tier of the labyrinth with a special passage, and also provided for a quick descent to the first floor along a spiral slide! I would like to note the very stylish and original decoration of the Choka-Loka gaming equipment: the designers placed the most “delicious” delicacies on it - various cakes, biscuits, ice cream, whole rivers of cream, plus the color scheme of the labyrinth itself perfectly complements the atmosphere of the country of sweets. As a result, we managed to create the necessary emotions and mood, which I consider very important for the success of the entertainment center.
SAM: Please list what equipment is installed in your entertainment center?
NL: First of all, this is a large-scale three-tier labyrinth with a large number of game and competitive elements, in which transparent polycarbonate is widely used - floor elements, walls, transitions and observation windows are made of it. This transparency is very popular with children! On the first tier there are two huge dry pools with balls, and one of them has an innovation - fluorescent illumination of the balls, and it looks fantastic! On the sides of the labyrinth there are vertical spiders so beloved by all children, from the top of which you can go down with the help of spiral slides. And in general, we have enough slides: a giant three-slope slide, roller and numerous screw slides - all this works great because of the large difference in altitude of the game labyrinth, reaching almost to the ceiling of the second floor of the room. Another novelty is a large inflatable pillow, on which children can scatter and fall from a running start without the risk of injury. It performs the same function as the foam pit, which, in fact, is very traumatic and inconvenient to use. A trampoline arena is also integrated into the labyrinth, which is interesting for the presence of interactive panels: children press buttons on these panels while jumping and earn points. In general, the topic of interactive is very relevant now: for example, motion sensors are installed in the transparent floors of our labyrinth, which activate its local illumination when children run by! In addition to the above equipment, we also placed several 4Kids mini attractions (carousels, rocking chairs, etc.) for the little ones - they were also supplied to us by the New Horizons company.
SAM: How can you evaluate the first results of Choka-Loka?
NL: Due to objective reasons, we opened a little later than the beginning of the season - in winter. However, today we can state that we have reached the planned traffic indicators. The game center is well filled and demonstrates positive development dynamics. We see that we absolutely correctly chose the concept, design for the target audience of our amusement park.
SAM: In your opinion, did the design company manage to solve the set tasks?
NL: I have been managing projects for children's amusement parks for more than 20 years and I can say that choosing the right contractor for the design and construction of a future facility is 50% of success! Today, there are literally a few companies that can fulfill our wishes and meet our requirements at a high level. I believe New Horizons is one of these companies, as they provided full and highly qualified support for the project at all its stages, they acted not just as equipment manufacturers and installers, but as experienced consultants who offered conceptual ideas for planning and efficient use of space! It is important that together we have managed to implement many innovative design and technical solutions, which, no doubt, our competitors will soon have. Our next logical step is cooperation with the New Horizons company on the project of a new Choka-Loka amusement park in Teply Stan.
www.newhorizons.ru
+7 495 120 89 99
New Horizons opens children's entertainment centers in Moscow
In December, a new children's entertainment center Choka-Loka, designed and built by Novye Horizons, a leader in the Russian entertainment market for more than 20 years outdoor and indoor equipment.
Natalya Likhovetskaya, the head of the Choka-Loka project, reveals interesting details about the new amusement park for children in the capital:
- Natalia, please tell us briefly about the new children's entertainment center - what was its idea and concept?
- Before starting the practical implementation of the project, we conducted a study, testing 5 thematic concepts. As a result, the idea proposed by the “New Horizons” company was “the country of sweets”, which is very positively perceived by both children and adult guests of our entertainment center. Under the chosen concept, this contractor developed an excellent design project, selected and manufactured equipment, and also completed the entire range of turnkey works.
- What are the main technical parameters and layout features? What solutions did New Horizons offer you?
- Initially, we had a one-story building with a high ceiling, but the designers of New Horizons proposed to use the space more rationally and make a mezzanine floor, placing rooms for children's parties there. So that our little guests do not have to go down to the first floor every time they want to play, we connected the mezzanine floor and the upper tier of the labyrinth with a special passage, and also provided for a quick descent to the first floor along a spiral slide!
I would like to note a very stylish and original decoration of the Choka-Loka gaming equipment: the designers placed the most “delicious” delicacies on it - various cakes, biscuits, ice cream, whole rivers of cream, plus the color scheme of the labyrinth itself perfectly complements the atmosphere of the country of sweets. As a result, we managed to create the necessary emotions and mood, which I consider very important for the success of the entertainment center.
- Please list what equipment is installed in your entertainment center?
- First of all, this is a large-scale three-tier labyrinth with a large number of game and competitive elements, and in which transparent polycarbonate is widely used - floor elements, walls, passages and viewing windows are made of it - this transparency is very popular with children! On the first tier there are two huge dry pools with balls, and one of them has an innovation - fluorescent illumination of the balls, and it looks fantastic!
On the sides of the labyrinth are vertical spiders so beloved by all children, from the top of which you can go down with the help of spiral slides.
In general, we have enough slides - a giant three-slope slide, roller and numerous screw slides - all this works great because of the large difference in altitude of the game labyrinth, reaching almost to the ceiling of the second floor of the room.
Another new feature is a large inflatable cushion that children can run into and fall off without risk of injury. An inflatable pillow performs the same function as a foam pit, which, in fact, is very traumatic and inconvenient to use.
A trampoline arena is also integrated into the labyrinth, which is interesting for the presence of interactive panels - children press the buttons on these panels while jumping and earn points. In general, the topic of interactive is very relevant now: for example, motion sensors are installed in the transparent floors of our labyrinth, which activate its local illumination when children run by!
In addition to the above equipment, we also placed several 4KIDS mini-attractions (carousels, rocking chairs, etc.) for the little ones - they were also supplied to us by the New Horizons company.
- How can you evaluate the first results of Choka-Loka's work?
- Due to objective reasons, we opened a little later than the beginning of the season - in winter, but today we can state that we have reached the planned traffic figures. The game center is well filled and demonstrates positive development dynamics. We see that we absolutely correctly chose the concept, design and target audience of our amusement park.
- What trends can you identify in the children's entertainment industry?
- The entertainment industry is very popular, but investors who think that they will open a children's amusement park and it will be easy money may lose money and become disillusioned with this business. It is very important to correctly define the concept and format that the market needs: whether it is an activity park, a family amusement park, a trampoline complex or slot machines, you need to be very clear about your target audience, its expectations and the average check that they can pay. No less important is the location of the future project. I have been in the children's entertainment industry for a long time and I can state that the concept of activity parks is gradually dying out, today the consumer needs to additionally offer slot machines, air hockey, VR technologies, and, finally, interactive solutions.