Furnishing a home is no mean feat; knowing where to start and the abundance of choice can overwhelm even the most proficient shoppers.
A TV stand is one of the hardest decisions to make – taking 61 hours of online research and trips in-store before consumers commit to the purchase.
That’s why we’ve put together our top tips on how to choose a TV stand to help you spend less time worrying about choosing a TV stand and more time settling down to watch the latest Netflix series.
Do I need a TV stand?
Firstly, is a TV stand a want or a requirement? Do you have the choice of mounting a TV to your wall? Are the walls in your home stable enough to hold a mounted TV? Do you have enough space for a TV stand? Or are you simply looking for a storage solution for your wide range of DVDs or gaming consoles?
As you can see the answer depends on your requirements, and it may be a tough decision - but a TV stand will be the perfect solution if mounting a TV doesn’t work for your home, if space isn’t an issue within your living room or if you require a storage solution.
A quick search online for TV and entertainment units will serve up a vast range of results and options; ranging from single low height shelving units, to multi-layered stands and even full units with drawers so it can be difficult to know where to begin. Within our TV stand buying guide we’re going to address the key considerations when choosing your TV stand so that you can make the right decision for your needs.
How to choose a TV stand
Think about the size of your TV stand
Height
One of the first considerations when choosing your TV stand is what the ideal height for your unit should be. You’ll need to take into account the size of your television and what a comfortable viewing position will be. The best position will depend on the height of your sofa and/or chairs. However, as a general rule of thumb, the centre of your screen should be just below or positioned at eye level, by measuring the distance from the floor to your eye level and then subtracting half the TV’s height, you should have, give or take, the correct height for your television.
When it comes to floating TV stands these are typically hung between 36 - 42 inches above the ground but how high you decide to place your floating stand is dependent on what is most comfortable for you.
Width
The next consideration is the width. How wide should your TV stand be? In order for your TV to fit on a cabinet safely, the unit should be approximately 20% longer than the length of your TV - so we would advise finding a unit or stand which is wide enough to comfortably keep it balanced – with adequate space for the television and the other entertainment boxes too. Based on the 20% rule, if your TV is 42 inches then your TV unit should be at least 50 inches wide.
Don’t forget the weight
Generally speaking, TV size and weight go hand in hand. The larger the TV, the heavier it is. So, it's important to check the weight limits on your TV unit before purchasing, especially if the material is glass as these are often times not shatter resistant.. You may also want to consider securing your TV unit to a wall for extra security.
Decide on the type of TV stand
With floating, corner, and closed to name just a few units available to choose from, there are plenty of shapes and sizes available to display your TV.
If you’re struggling for space, a floating TV stand is a great option. They are a modern and stylish alternative to traditional TV units, and give a minimalistic feel and look to your living space. However, it is important to bear in mind that these types of stands usually offer a limited amount of storage.
The one size fits all approach does not apply to TV stands and that’s why corner units are amazing if you need to utilise your available space or you want to open up the room without using too much space. Not to mention the storage capacity that can come with some corner units. As stands are commonly rectangular or square, we recommend that the edges are appropriately accident-proof - to protect the vulnerable, children and pets.
Another alternative is closed TV stands. Although sometimes considered to have poor storage capacity, behind the doors should include enough room for gaming consoles, books, games and boxsets all neatly hidden away.
Choose the colour and style
A TV cabinet is the perfect way to enrich your entertainment experience whilst giving your decor an extra injection of style, so why not make your unit the decorative statement that your living room is missing.
Whether your interior theme is industrial or Scandi, contemporary or cottagecore, TV units now come in all sorts of designs. A great starting point for making the decision is to look at the colour of your sofa, curtains or flooring. If these items are lighter in colour then it allows you to consider a wider range of colours for your TV unit. If these items are darker in colour then opting for a lighter option - such as white, silver or even gold will be more flattering to your living space.
Consider the material and finishing
Think about not just the colour of the unit but also how it is built, as a great deal of stylistic flair can be showcased simply through the structure of the legs or the placement of the shelves and drawers.
The most common materials for TV stands are glass, wood, and more recently, medium-density fibreboard (MDF).
The material you choose will depend on a number of factors including safety. Commonly, wood finished units are resilient, glass units are considered quite durable while MDF units are considered stable. It is important however, to factor in common concerns surrounding sharp corners, glass units, durability and placements in regards to vulnerable household members; including children and pets.
We recommend choosing a TV stand style that suits your home/individual needs. One that will provide you with storage, style and be a sturdy base for your television and featuring accessories.
Contemplate storage
Although units were primarily devised as a place to put your TV, many now come with storage built in, perfect for keeping your consoles and DVD collections neat and tidy.
The best way to display your TV cabinet is clutter free so look for a design with drawers, shelving or sliding doors to keep your TV area looking clean and tidy. However, if storage isn’t a concern for you and you’re interested in achieving a more minimalist look then a TV unit with open shelving is the ideal solution.
Find your perfect TV unit with ufurnish.com
We hope our guide on how to choose your TV stand has given you the advice you need to be confident in making your purchase. For more style inspiration to create your perfect home, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest, or to search and discover over 100+ furniture retailers across the entire market, simply click here.
