If you blanch at the thought of exposed audio-visual equipment, do what Chris Walton did and have a cabinet made to house your gear. Rather than buy a remote-control converter that allows you to turn on AV devices concealed in, say, an armoire, he designed a cabinet with several functions.

The lattice doors ensure the items inside are less visible, provide sufficient ventilation so the components don't run hot, and allow the remote controls to work normally. Walton also had the cabinet sit on casters, which means it can be swung around for easy access to rear doors concealing the power strip and connection cables. The speaker, video and power cables are fed through a hole at the bottom.

The cabinet was custom made by Time' Shop (39 King's Road, North Point, tel: 2571 7525).