TV stands are perfect for taking your TV off the floor, giving you a better viewing angle, and adding plenty of space to store related items. Learn all you need to know about TV stands before you shop to ensure that you make an informed decision.
Sizes
If you don't know your TVs exact measurements, break out the tape measure and measure across the screen diagonally. Keep in mind that while TV screens are measured diagonally, TV stands use a width measurement. If you have a TV stand and a TV with the same measurement, the TV stand is actually wider.
The TV stand should be at least as wide as your TV, although you can also opt for a much wider TV stand and then center the TV, giving you room to set other items on the sides. Short, standard-height, and tall TV stands are available, so choose one that fits with the height of your seating and your preferred viewing angle.
Materials
Wood and metal are generally the TV stand materials of choice. Wood TV stands add a more traditional, rustic style to a home, while metal TV stands work well in more modern homes. Woods used in TV stands include cherry, maple, oak, and mahogany, and the wide variety allows you to choose a wood that looks good and fits your budget. Metal TV stands often have a powder or chrome finish to enhance their appearance.
Types
Popular types of TV stands include entertainment centers, corner TV stands, and TV hutches. Entertainment centers provide plenty of storage for other items, such as cable boxes, video game consoles, and Blu-ray players. The design allows you to easily connect any cords from devices in the entertainment center to the TV.
Corner TV stands are smaller and designed with a triangular edge, so they fit into the corner of a room. TV hutches have an enclosed space for the TV, which makes it less of a focus in the room.
Styles
Select a TV stand that fits into your home's style and brings the room together, whether that's a bohemian TV stand, a modern TV stand, or another style entirely. For a classic appearance that never gets old, try a traditional TV stand made from durable hardwood. If you're going for a more 21st-century feel, a modern TV stand with sharp, sleek lines is an excellent choice.
Extra Features
Shelves, glass doors, and drawers are all common extras that are found in some, but not all, TV stands. Whichever you choose, make sure you have enough space for every device that needs to be close to the TV. If you can fit your whole media library in your TV stand's media center, that's a nice bonus.
Adjustable shelves are helpful if you have items of different sizes that you want to fit in your TV stand. TV stands with drawers and glass doors come in handy if you'd prefer to hide the items in the stand from view, so people only see the stand and the TV. For TV stands with glass doors, check that it's tempered glass, which is much stronger than regular glass.
Colors
Being that many TV stands are made of wood, it should come as no surprise that brown is one of the most popular colors. It's an excellent choice, as shades of brown work well in a variety of color schemes and styles.
Black is another strong choice, particularly if you're going for a contemporary-style home. While brown and black may be the safest colors (especially if you plan to change your decor frequently), more unique colors can also work, depending on the color scheme in your living room.
