Building Home Theater - Suggestions?

[tilallr1]

Ok, so over the next few months I will be working on building my home theater. I've got all the equipement I need for now, but I need a few suggestions on some setup items I was thinking about.

(1) Speaker setup? 7.1, 8.1 or 10.2? How many speakers should I wire for? Currently my system supports 7.1, and I have 7.1 SVS speakers for the job. But if I am going to put in all this work, I want it to be as future proof as possible. Any ideas what I realistically need in the next 10 years?

(2) Running Wire - Planning on ripping out the current (crappy) baseboards and run cable along the floor then reattach new larger baseboards. Any suggested wiring for this? Longest wire might go about 100 ft. 12 gauge?

(3) Platform Riser for the Rear Audience - Minimum Height? I was thinking of making it a foot high, based on basement ceiling limitations. Is this enough? Any tips or suggestions on the construction of this?

(4) Sound issues? The area I wish to setup my equipement is as shown:







The pole is where I plan to place the left surround speaker. Wiring it will be a bit difficult since I will have to run wire along the top of the wall. Any suggestions?

Any other suggestions, ideas or words of wisdom? Thanks.

P.S. The equipement you see in the pics are from the previous owner of the house. NOT MINE. LOL