If there’s room and budget for one living room upgrade that would transform the look and feel of the space, let it be a TV unit. Even when most of us are used to watching our favourite shows on smaller and smaller screens, like laptops, tablets, and even smartphones, the TV remains one of the main elements of entertainment in the home.

Considering this, the TV cabinet is essentially a piece of furniture in the modern entertainment setting, be it in the living room, the bedroom, or even the home theatre room. Not surprisingly, there’s a range of chic TV cabinets you can find in popular homeware stores, like the Block, which are available in different styles, colours and materials. So, besides their functional role, they have their importance in a room’s décor too.

What Should I Look for in a TV Stand?

Same as you would invest your full attention when choosing the ideal TV, shopping for a stand requires consideration of some basics, like spot and size, including height, shape, type, style, material, and colour. More so if we keep in mind the variety of designs available.

Spot, Size, and Height

Not any place would do. The spot designated for the TV should be away from the traffic area, other furniture elements and reflection of windows and any artificial lighting. Once you find a spot that guarantees all this, you need to do some measuring to ensure your TV entertainment unit can fit right in.

Moreover, it should also be the perfect fit for the TV itself, so add this to the equation. The stand should neither be too big for the room nor too big for the TV – and the same can be said about it being small. The room matters as well, so while a 40 to 60-inch cabinet may work in the bedroom, you could go for something bigger for the living room, and even bigger than that for the theatre room.

Now, in terms of height, this is a crucial factor because your viewing comfort is at stake here. A cabinet much higher than the sofa can considerably impact your eyesight and how you experience entertainment. The last thing you need is something that would disturb your viewing, quite like a tall person sitting in front of you in the theatres. So, keep your seating in mind, plus the width of the TV.

Remember, the centre of the TV should be at eye level. To determine this, measure up the distance of the floor to your eye level when seated. Once this is taken care of, think of the viewing distance. Again, it would help to consider the TV’s size multiplied by 1.5 to get a better notion of the distance. For a 60-inch TV (152.4 in cm), you should be at least 2 metres away from the screen, or 228.6cm, to be exact.

Shape, Type, and Style

The standard choice that works for most people is the rectangular shape, but rest assured there are other options too, such as a half-moon and squared cabinets perfect to fill up awkward spots and make full use of them.

In terms of type, you have the free-standing floor option that doesn’t need any installation. It comes with its subtypes, like cabinet tv units for sale with drawers and doors, hutches with shelves, stands with audio shelves, console and open shelving stands, and corner stands. Each of these has its benefits, depending on whether you prefer something smaller or bigger and with more storage capacity to organise all your knick-knacks.

Then, there’s the swivel which is self-explanatory as it comes with swivels so you can move it around as you see fit. It’s a perfect choice if you want more flexibility with the layout, granted you have room for different placements. 

Lastly, you have the floating TV stands which are mounted to the wall and require the use of tools that may call for professional help. Despite the not-so-DIY-friendly installation, they’re great for saving up floor space and also perfect if you have a higher sofa, bed, or occasional chairs. 

When it comes to style, you’re also spoiled for choice with contemporary, mid-century, industrial, and traditional designs, so you can choose accordingly with what you already have at home.

Material and Colour

As it’s a purchase intended to last, look for sturdy materials that can stand up to years of use. Wood is a great and classic option that’s long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing as it helps create a warm ambience. If, however, you want to get something more modern, some designs incorporate several materials in a single model. For instance, you may like a wood and metal combo for a more contemporary and industrial feel.

Keep the rest of the style and furniture in mind, and choose something similar to create a balanced outcome, or go bold and get something completely different. The same can be said about the colours, so for a harmonious effect, you can opt for neutral colours, whereas for a striking appearance, pick out dramatic black or red. 

And remember – there’s no right or wrong as long as you’re happy with the selection!