TV Stands-Making The Right Choice
TV stands, for most people, are really an afterthought. If you are like many others, you selected your new TV based on its features. Essential as it is, you probably did not consider the TV stand until after you purchased your brand new TV.
So, whether you already bought your new television or are in the market for one, you are sure to be looking at TV stands. Placing your TV on the floor is most likely not an option. You may have the choice of mounting your TV on the wall, though.
However, the convenience of using a pedestal or stand to hold your TV is a far better choice. This allows you mobility, flexibility in room design and portability.
When shopping for a TV stand, there are a lot of choices available and a little learning beforehand can help you make the right decision. In the American household, the TV has become a central part of the lives of the family.
TV Stands-Fitting The Size Of Your TV
Perhaps the single most guiding factor in your decision in the purchase of a TV stand is the size of your TV. Televisions range from 32” to over 60”. To check the size of your television, you can either look in the owner’s manual or measure it yourself. If you choose to measure it yourself, you will need to measure the height, length and width of your TV. This will help to ensure you select an adequately-sized TV stand for your new TV.
Be sure to allow adequate room on your TV stand for accidental jarring and moving of the TV. The last thing you want is to have your TV slide off a pedestal that is too small and come crashing to the floor. The advanced computerized technology is not all-forgiving of major impacts.
The Style Of TV Stands
Televisions have changed in style over the years. No longer do you have to contend with the heavy and bulky TV of the picture tube years. Now you have the sleek designs of the flat screen LCD and plasma TV’s. With this thin design, you have a lot more options for TV stands for flat screens than your parents did with the cathode ray tube TV.
Back then, the TV resided within a console and the only variety was in the size or finish of the console. Not so anymore. The tremendous variation in styles of flat screen television stands increases in number every year. The TV has now become the focal point of the family gathering room and the industry has kept pace with making sure the designs and styles of the TV stands fit nicely into the décor of the home.
Where To Put TV Stands-Location, Location, Location
When making the purchase of a TV stand or cabinet, it is important to decide on its future location. With the increasing size of today’s television along with the increasing capabilities within television technology, determining where you are going to put your new TV requires some deliberation.
Consider what you are going to be using your television for. Is it primarily for TV and movie viewing or will you be using it for gaming? Do you plan on watching fitness DVDs or using the Wii Fit? If so, consider how much space you need in front of your TV so you can exercise.
Other factors to consider when locating the perfect place for your TV and TV stand are the locations of your heat source, the windows and your other furniture. You will need to keep the television away from radiators and vents. You will also need to keep the TV out of direct sunlight to get the best picture during the day.
And you need to consider the seating arrangement in your viewing room so that everyone watching or using the TV can see without anything blocking their view. Perhaps one of the corner TV stands is best suited for your particular situation.
In addition to measuring your TV, you need to measure the total space you have for the TV stand itself. There is such a variety in TV stand designs that location needs to be a consideration when you make your purchase.
TV Stands-Frame Design
A very personal choice that you will be making is the design of the frame of your cabinet or TV stand. You can choose from a somewhat traditional cabinet design to an open shelving TV stand. Within the selection of TV stands you will find those with floor stand mounts, those at bedroom heights and even fireplace TV stands.
TV Stands-Material, Style And Finish
One of the best things about contemporary flat screen TV stands is that there is a large selection of styles from which to choose. From the simple to ornate, from modern to traditional, you can be assured that you will find the right pedestal or cabinet for your TV.
The multitude of choices available make it so easy to consider your TV stand as another beautiful piece of furniture that fits so well into the décor you have selected for your home, be it rustic, ornate, casual or contemporary.
In addition to the style of TV stands, TV furniture comes in a variety of materials. You can select from metal, glass or a metal and glass combination. With the metal TV stands, you can select colors such as silver, black or white.
Other choices include composite wood TV stands or cabinets and solid wood TV stands. Of the woods you have a variety of finishes such as light wood, medium wood, and dark wood. Then, there is the simple beauty of oak or the richness of mahogany and cherry.
TV Stands-Special Features
When you are shopping for TV stands, consider the special features many TV stands offer. From easy assembly to efficient cable management, you should check out what each TV stand has to offer and what is most important to you.
Some TV stands come with hutches, adjustable shelving and media storage. Others include integrated mounts. Still others are expandable or have swiveling capabilities. Plasma lifts TV stands are a great feature some cabinet makers offer.
For some buyers, easy TV stand assembly is an important feature. And others may prefer stands that are made in the USA. Shop carefully as you examine and consider the available features.
Where To Buy TV Stands
TV stands are widely available both in the brick-and-mortar stores and on-line. You can shop at exclusive furniture stores that carry quality home furnishings or bargain shop at department stores such as Wal Mart. Wal Mart TV stands include ready-to-assemble TV stands like the Sauder TV stands.
If you purchase your TV at any major electronic store, you may find a nice variety of TV stands there. When purchasing a flat screen TV, your model should come with the option of a wall mount or a stand mount. If not, the electronics store should carry these. For example, a Samsung flat screen TV can be mounted on the wall or attached to the Samsung TV stands with mounts for optimal viewing.
TV Stands-Price Range
Consideration of price is probably the second most deciding factor in your purchase of a TV stand. Fortunately, with price range from $29 for cheap TV stands to $10,681 for the most luxurious of TV furniture, there are TV stands for everyone’s budget.