Before the advent of the television age, family living space was centered around the hearth.
This is where the entire family came together and socialized; here is where they would gather around and listen to the radio or to the family piano.
Nowadays, the center of attention is usually the TV, housed in a multipurpose TV unit.
Your typical TV unit is of modular design, with a plethora of detachable sections and storage spaces.
These come in various shapes, sizes, colors and styles.
Besides providing a space for showcasing and storing your TV, the TV unit acts a storage repository for other parts of your home entertainment system, including, usually, your VCR or DVD player, your cable box, your DVR, your musical system and speakers, and other electronic devices.
Given its practical purpose, many people often overlook style and design for something more sensible, or matter-of-fact.
However, this needn't be so.
There are in fact, thousands of different TV unit or media center designs, which are aimed at both pleasing aesthetics and practicality.
With the rising popularity of flat screen plasma TVs, the modern TV unit usually consists of some variation of a flat, ample surface below which is housed a set of draws and/or shelves, or some combination of the two.
A typical example is the Califa TV-AV unit.
This design consists of a raised cabinet constructed out of a combination of Sap Walnut Veneer Fascias with Dark Walnut Veneer cabinets, adding a very modern twist to a classic design.
The shelves are adjustable and include cable management.
Enclosed storage areas again include adjustable shelving.
These types of cabinet-tables are quite popular for displaying larger flat screen TVs.
They aren't bulky and their innovative design enhances, rather than takes away from, the screen itself; the focus is on the screen and not the furniture.
They usually come in any number of wood finishes and are built to last.
Another variation applies the same cabinet concept, but adds a more fashion forward, space age design, utilizing a variety of geometric shapes, materials and finishes.
For example, instead of a standard rectangle, the unit is trapezoidal and finished in a black or white high gloss, for a more polished, contemporary look.
This type of design is slick and sleek; compartments easily accommodate multiple components and convenient slots are added in the back of the unit for cable and wire management.
Another modern take of the TV unit, designed with today's flat screen in mind, is of the free-standing variety, which does not require any wall mounting.
These typically come with an in-built backboard panel or mount, composed of wood or some other sturdy material, for attaching the screen.
This in turn is attached to a steel frame and base with glass or wood shelving for DVD/CD player storage.
This variety of unit comes in varying sizes to match your specific TV.
There are also swiveling models, which hold flat panel TVs and come with rotate and tilt options.
However, for those with old school tube style TVs, these types of media units may be at odds with the rest of the look.
Basically, you can use any flat surface, preferably with storage space, for placing your TV.
A refashioned vintage record player, for instance makes for a great conversation piece.