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Even if you decide to mount your TV on the wall, there are several ways to hide the wires. For example, you could have an electrician or an installer add an electrical outlet directly behind the set - and he can run the other A/V wires through the wall while he's at it. A handy DIYer might be able to manage something like this, but any kind of electrical work is probably best left to a pro. Also, some local building codes require that any electrical wires run behind a wall must have fireproof sheathing. A less obtrusive and more cost-effective way to hide cables is to use a wire channel or cable "raceway," which can be painted to match the wall.

Regardless of how you choose to display your flat-panel TV, the important thing is to make sure it's securely mounted. But that doesn't mean you can't have a clean, low-profile look - which was probably one of the main reasons why you bought an LCD or plasma set in the first place. By giving some thought to the location and mounting style, you'll end up with a TV that's an integral part of both your house and your home-entertainment experience - and not something that's just taking up space. - Doug Newcomb

Lighting Controls One of the most exciting moments in the entertainment experience happens before a show even starts. Whether it's at a concert, at the theater, or in your own house, having the lights go down is a visual and emotional cue that something special is about to happen. It's just not the same when you merely flip the light switch before starting a movie at home. But you don't need to have a full-blown whole-house system to add a light show in your media space, or even in other rooms. There are plenty of options available to let you take control of your lighting, and they come in a range of prices and complexity.

Dimmers and Powerlines On the most basic level, easy-to-install dimmers that replace standard light switches can control everything that's on a single circuit, such as all the lights in your media room. And some DIY dimmers enable multiple switches in a room to be governed by a single remote control. There are even in-line dimmers that let you use a remote to control plugged-in lamps.