The idea behind surround sound installation is that there are multiple speakers around the listener, which are cleverly combined to form a "soundstage" where sound can be heard coming from all directions.
With surround sound being mostly used in movies, you might want to consider your priorities before embarking on surround sound system installation.

For maximum effect from a home entertainment system, the surround sound installation must be centered on the screen, although the screen will not always be in a central position in the room.
To maximise enjoyment from seperates, the installation should be centered around the listening position.

The fundamental principle for good surround sound installation is matching the set up with the acoustics of the environment - to ensure that the best is gained from the equipment. So once you have all your electronic equipment connected, special care needs to be taken with regards to speaker positioning.

In a rectangular room, install the surround speakers on side walls parallel to the main seating position. In a square room with seating on the rear wall it may be possible to mount surround sound speakers on the rear wall.

Surround sound speakers should be set up at least 6 feet above the floor - if wall mounting is not possible, buy some stands, at least 1 metre high.
When positioning the subwoofer, remember corner locations tend to amplify low frequencies, producing a booming, reverberating sound.