Custom Entertainment Centers & Media Cabinets in Lakeland, FL
A media wall or built-in entertainment center that frames the TV, hides the wiring and adds storage. Here is how to plan one and what it usually costs.
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What a custom entertainment center does
Televisions keep getting bigger, and the furniture made for them rarely fits the room. A built-in entertainment center or media wall is designed around your TV, speakers and devices, with cabinets for components, shelves for display, and paths for wires so nothing dangles.
Projects range from a low media console built into a wall to a full wall of cabinets and shelves around the TV and fireplace. Custom Cabinets Lakeland connects homeowners with independent local cabinetmakers and installers. Call 863-372-9151 any time.
Planning your media wall
- Size the opening for the next TV. Leave room for a larger screen than you have today.
- Viewing height. The center of the screen near eye level when seated is most comfortable. Mounting above a tall fireplace can strain necks.
- Ventilation. Receivers and game consoles need airflow. Ask about vented doors, open backs or quiet fans.
- Remote access. Glass or mesh doors, or IR repeaters, let remotes reach closed components.
- Wiring. Plan conduit to the TV, outlets behind it, and speaker and network cables before cabinets are installed.
- Storage. Drawers for controllers and cables, closed cabinets for clutter, open shelves for display.
How much does a custom entertainment center cost?
National figures from Angi:
| Item | Typical national figure |
|---|---|
| Built-in entertainment center | About $4,000 average |
| Built-in cabinets (most projects) | $2,000 – $7,500 (average about $4,500) |
| Built-in cabinets, per linear foot | $200 – $600 |
| Labor | $50 – $150 per hour |
| Permits, when electrical or structural work is involved | $50 – $400 |
Source: Angi, updated September 24, 2026. National figures, not quotes for your home.
Floor-to-ceiling designs, integrated lighting, glass doors, a fireplace surround and electrical work all raise the cost. TV mounting and audio-visual installation are often separate trades.
Permits
Cabinet work by itself is usually not the part that needs a permit. The City of Lakeland's Building Inspection FAQ lists replacing cabinets as work that does not need a permit, while remodels, alterations, plumbing and electrical work do. Hillsborough County's homeowner permit page likewise describes cabinet work and shelving as typically cosmetic. If your project moves a sink, adds outlets or lighting, or opens a wall, expect a permit and have your contractor confirm with the office that covers your address.
What to ask before you hire
- Who handles the TV mount, wiring and any new outlets?
- How will components be ventilated?
- Can the TV opening fit a larger screen later?
- Does the estimate include paint, trim, lighting and hardware?
How a entertainment centers & media cabinets project works
- Share your project by phone or the estimate form: your address, the room and what you want.
- A local cabinetmaker follows up to talk through the space, budget and timing.
- Measure and design. Final measurements are taken on site and a layout is drawn.
- Written estimate covering materials, finish, hardware, installation, schedule and warranty.
- Fabrication and installation once you approve the design and finish samples.
Nothing is booked when you call or send the form, and the decision to proceed is yours.
Entertainment Centers & Media Cabinets across Polk and eastern Hillsborough
We connect homeowners with local cabinetmakers for entertainment centers & media cabinets throughout Polk County and eastern Hillsborough County, including:
Lakeland · Winter Haven · Auburndale · Bartow · Plant City · Polk City · Lake Wales · Davenport · Haines City · Lake Alfred · Mulberry · Lakeland Highlands · Highland City · Kathleen · Eagle Lake · Fort Meade · Dundee · Brandon · Valrico · Seffner · Dover · Lithia
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Related services
Many homeowners combine projects to save on design and installation visits. Explore: Custom Kitchen Cabinets · Bathroom Vanities · Built-In Cabinets & Storage · Custom Closets · Home Office Cabinetry.
Entertainment Centers & Media Cabinets questions
Can an entertainment center go around a fireplace?
Yes. Cabinets and shelves on each side of a fireplace with the TV above or beside it are common. Ask about clearances to the firebox and heat on the TV.
How do I hide TV wires?
Plan an in-wall cable kit or conduit and an outlet behind the TV before the built-in is installed. In-wall power should be installed to code by a licensed electrician.
Do media cabinets need ventilation?
Yes. Electronics produce heat. Vented doors, open backs or a small fan help components last longer.
Will my next TV fit?
Only if the opening is planned for it. Ask the cabinetmaker to size the opening for a larger screen than you have now.
Plan your entertainment centers & media cabinets project
Tell us about your space and a local cabinetmaker can follow up when one is available for your area. No obligation.
No obligation. Phone answered 24/7.