Store your audio video equipment out of sight.
If you've got a pile consisting of a VCR, DVD player, digital recorder, video camera, and gaming console, or specialty audio or recording electronics, all that plastic casing and long, twisty cords can be an unsightly addition to your household's decor. With a few steps, you can still have all of your equipment ready to use and within reach, but not such an eyesore or distraction.
Trompe l'Oeil
The National Gallery of Art's definition of the artistic style, trompe l'oeil, is when an artist tricks the eye into believing something is real when it is not. Consider playing with the trompe l'oeil style to hide your AV equipment. For example, you can find frameable trompe l'oeil posters (the artist MC Escher specialized in this area of art) which you can use to place in front of your equipment. Guests will be so busy staring at the poster wondering if it is white swans or brown swans, for example, they won't notice your electronics. You can also place the poster behind your equipment; many trompe l'oeils are very bright, strong images; your real life electronics may just fade into the background.
Table Skirt
If most of your audio video equipment is centered in one area of a room, conceal the items quickly with a table skirt. Stack items from the floor up and place a rolling table or end table over the top of the equipment, then drape a table skirt over the top, hiding what's below. Table skirts are available in a variety of styles, from ornate, lacy creations to simple, single-colored cloths. Make a table skirt to match your decor with a few yards of fabric from the craft store (fabric is available in prints with sports team logos, cartoon characters and prints such as flowers, animals, and holiday themes). Drape the table skirt over the middle of the table, then pull down on the end that faces out toward the room so it covers any equipment peeking out from the bottom. Using a table and table skirt gives you an additional bonus--you now have the table's top to use as an extra shelf to place candles, a vase and flowers, or some books.
Closet Hideaway
Consider designating one closet in your home to be your audio video center. Clear out any coats or excess stuff, then dust to ensure no dirt or residue clogs up your equipment. Add shelves or a few bookcases to store CDs, DVDs, and smaller electronic devices such as speakers and microphones, then place the larger items not used every day on the ground. For easy access, roll a dolly/hand-truck into the closet, then stack equipment on top; you'll be able to roll items out into the house when you need them and roll them right back when they're done being used. Label the shelves and consider adding a touch light if the closet is not lit, to allow you access at any time. Electronics-savvy homeowners may be able to run electrical outlets to the closet, providing a place to charge equipment out of sight and even plug in equipment such as DVD burners.
