Ok seanr, some advice (though I bet others could use it). It's a little general, and my gf just called, so I'm about to head out, but I wanted to add some stuff (I'll post a follow-up with more ideas later):
1. Here is a link to Rip-Tie at cableorganizer.com. Essentially it's a long spool of velcro. You cut any length you want and use it to wrap up cables. Wrapping cables is good for two things: first, you can use it for controllers, so that they stay nice and organized when you aren't using them. It takes all of two seconds to wrap it around your hand (which is what I do), and then slip out of it, and cable tie it together. Secondly, you can use cable tie to bundle together a lot of loose cords for, say, behind your TV. Wrap together all your power, A/V, and cable cords togehter into one bundle. That way, it's all together, but you can leave it loose at the ends to plug it into a power strip. Finally, DO NOT buy pre-cut strips at, say, OfficeMax or OfficeDepot or something. It's typically $6 for a five pack or so, which is CRIMINALLY high. At the link I provided, you can get 150 feet of spool shipped for less than $30. Compare that to $6 for, probably, 5 6-inch strips, or a total of 2.5 feet. It's insane, really. I used to order from lanshack.com but this new place is cheaper, and it REALLY helps. I'll have to take pics of all the stuff I've tied up.
(Ho ho ho, no pics of your mom I'm afraid.)
2. Get power strips, preferably ones that have surge protection. I highly, highly suggest the Stratitec 2-Pack available at Sam's Club (which means it might be at Costco as well). They are highly rated - the larger one protects up to 4066 KJ of surge, which is HUGE (most you'll find only go to 3200 or so), and the smaller handles up to 1504, making it perfect for things like alarm clocks, lamps, etc. Additionally, they are super cheap - $20 for both, which is an incredible deal. This gives you a central place to plug everything into, which helps avoid clutter and can be combined with the cable ties (as mentioned above) to help centralize where you can plug things in. Also helps with future expansion because you already have a place to add additional systems and components.
3. Possibly get a "cable glove" as seen here. It's not absolutely needed if you do the cable tie thing.
4. Get some small storage boxes. You can get some at Target, Walmart, Container Store, or really any other general-purpose sort of place. Then you can label them and/or color code them to a specific system. For example, blue lids could be for the PS2, green for the Xbox, etc. Or you can go my route and get a bunch of the cases from Ikea, which are called "Lycklig." Haha, the name sounds dirty. They were originally called "Brana" but this new one is a redesign of sorts.
5. Get at least one large piece of furniture for media storage. I think a good solution to overflow/disorgnization is to have one central piece where you can put everything, instead of a lot of small pieces designed to hold 1-2 things specifically designed for it. I.e., don't get something to only put an Xbox and accessories on it, get something that will hold 4-5 systems + accessories + games if you can handle it. Or, at the least, can hold all of your games. THEN get a few smaller pieces to handle loose ends. The IVAR set I use helps me keep everything in one central place, but I can dynamically add to it. I was tired of finding entertainment centers that could only handle 2-3 systems.
6. Finally, label things with small stickers that won't fall off. That way if you ever need to change what is in the box, you can just remove the sticker and apply some Googone, OR you can just put a new one over it. Don't directly write on a box or container at any time. You want to remain flexible.
(Can anyone tell how OCD I am? )
So seanr, get another one of those media cabinets you have with your games on it, and use it to put movies and accessories. Put it on the other side of your TV, and hopefully you'll be able to stack components in or on it. Conceivably you might be able to have a center area (TV + some systems) flanked by both shelves, and then maybe 1-2 other pieces to wrap up the remains.
I'll think of more stuff later, gotta head out. Hope this helps.
1. Here is a link to Rip-Tie at cableorganizer.com. Essentially it's a long spool of velcro. You cut any length you want and use it to wrap up cables. Wrapping cables is good for two things: first, you can use it for controllers, so that they stay nice and organized when you aren't using them. It takes all of two seconds to wrap it around your hand (which is what I do), and then slip out of it, and cable tie it together. Secondly, you can use cable tie to bundle together a lot of loose cords for, say, behind your TV. Wrap together all your power, A/V, and cable cords togehter into one bundle. That way, it's all together, but you can leave it loose at the ends to plug it into a power strip. Finally, DO NOT buy pre-cut strips at, say, OfficeMax or OfficeDepot or something. It's typically $6 for a five pack or so, which is CRIMINALLY high. At the link I provided, you can get 150 feet of spool shipped for less than $30. Compare that to $6 for, probably, 5 6-inch strips, or a total of 2.5 feet. It's insane, really. I used to order from lanshack.com but this new place is cheaper, and it REALLY helps. I'll have to take pics of all the stuff I've tied up.
(Ho ho ho, no pics of your mom I'm afraid.)2. Get power strips, preferably ones that have surge protection. I highly, highly suggest the Stratitec 2-Pack available at Sam's Club (which means it might be at Costco as well). They are highly rated - the larger one protects up to 4066 KJ of surge, which is HUGE (most you'll find only go to 3200 or so), and the smaller handles up to 1504, making it perfect for things like alarm clocks, lamps, etc. Additionally, they are super cheap - $20 for both, which is an incredible deal. This gives you a central place to plug everything into, which helps avoid clutter and can be combined with the cable ties (as mentioned above) to help centralize where you can plug things in. Also helps with future expansion because you already have a place to add additional systems and components.
3. Possibly get a "cable glove" as seen here. It's not absolutely needed if you do the cable tie thing.
4. Get some small storage boxes. You can get some at Target, Walmart, Container Store, or really any other general-purpose sort of place. Then you can label them and/or color code them to a specific system. For example, blue lids could be for the PS2, green for the Xbox, etc. Or you can go my route and get a bunch of the cases from Ikea, which are called "Lycklig." Haha, the name sounds dirty. They were originally called "Brana" but this new one is a redesign of sorts.
5. Get at least one large piece of furniture for media storage. I think a good solution to overflow/disorgnization is to have one central piece where you can put everything, instead of a lot of small pieces designed to hold 1-2 things specifically designed for it. I.e., don't get something to only put an Xbox and accessories on it, get something that will hold 4-5 systems + accessories + games if you can handle it. Or, at the least, can hold all of your games. THEN get a few smaller pieces to handle loose ends. The IVAR set I use helps me keep everything in one central place, but I can dynamically add to it. I was tired of finding entertainment centers that could only handle 2-3 systems.
6. Finally, label things with small stickers that won't fall off. That way if you ever need to change what is in the box, you can just remove the sticker and apply some Googone, OR you can just put a new one over it. Don't directly write on a box or container at any time. You want to remain flexible.
(Can anyone tell how OCD I am?
)So seanr, get another one of those media cabinets you have with your games on it, and use it to put movies and accessories. Put it on the other side of your TV, and hopefully you'll be able to stack components in or on it. Conceivably you might be able to have a center area (TV + some systems) flanked by both shelves, and then maybe 1-2 other pieces to wrap up the remains.
I'll think of more stuff later, gotta head out. Hope this helps.
ing thing to start up......ok not really 
!!!!!!
