The Complete Purchasing Guide for TV Stands

In the market for a new TV stand? There’s a lot more to consider than the size of your flat screen. From the bedroom to living spaces, TV stands provide fashionable functionality that allows you to watch shows and movies in comfort. At the same time, storage space lets you stow away items like games, extra blankets, and remote controls. Add in varying features, materials, and dimensions, and it can become difficult to identify the best option for your space. Therefore, we’ve put together this TV stand buying guide, which covers everything you need to know to make the best decision.

TV Stand Construction

What your TV stand is made from determines how it will look in your home. However, its construction goes far beyond aesthetics. The materials used for your TV stand will also indicate how well it will stand up to wear-and-tear, its longevity, how easy it is to maintain, and more. So how do you strike a balance between durability and style? Consider the benefits of each of the most common TV stand materials.

Glass

A bold choice, glass’ transparency makes spaces appear larger and can often feel like a more luxe material. Glass is overall one of the most affordable options, and it’s easy to clean with a glass solution and occasional dusting.

Wood and Laminates

The look of natural wood is a great way to add texture and neutral tones to your home decor. Depending on the finish, wood hues can be warm or cool. Therefore, you still have a great chance of finding the perfect design to match the aesthetic of your space.

Metal

Metal is one of the most durable TV stand materials. Consequently, it holds up to wear-and-tear very well and is extremely easy to clean. Simply wiping away dust and spills with a dry cloth will usually do the trick. Oftentimes, metal TV stands can be lighter than wood, making them easier to move. However, they can usually hold a good amount of weight. This is optimal for larger television sizes.

TV Stand Features

After considering which material will best meet your needs, it’s time to decide which features appeal to you the most. Not only should the right TV stand accentuate your existing interior design, but it should also complement your lifestyle.

Cabinets and Drawers

Cabinets and drawers bring a great deal of versatility to storage within TV stands. Solid doors and drawers provide a modest solution for storage you’d like to keep concealed. Meanwhile, glass doors allow remote control signals to pass through uninterrupted. That way, your AV devices and other electronics can be easily stored inside with the glass doors closed as you control playback. For a flexible solution, look for TV stands that feature sliding barn doors.

Open Shelving

This style is commonly coupled with the floating TV concept. However, it’s also a chic option when placing the television on the stand itself. Open shelving is ideal for open concept designs and can help smaller spaces feel less cramped if the shelves are properly organized and adorned.

Bluetooth Streaming

If you love tech but hate clutter, minimize the number of components in your living room with a Bluetooth-enabled TV stand. Built-in, wireless streaming technology allows you to connect your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or another device to stream music, podcasts, and more with ease.

Charging

Additionally, having a TV stand with either USB or AC power, like the Tresanti Bradenham TV Console above from Costco, is a great addition for your living space. This convenient combination of style and modern tech allows guests to charge phones, minimizes cords behind the stand, offers another spot to plug in items like reading lamps, and more! The possibilities for the functionality and decor of your room are endless.

Built-in Electric Fireplace

Imagine cozy evenings gathered around a favorite family movie with cups of cocoa in hand as you bask in the glow of dancing flames. TV stands with built-in electric fireplaces make it possible. In fact, many of these options offer a wide variety of flame effects and temperature settings to help you get comfy and set some ambiance. Electric fireplaces can also help you save money. When used as part of a supplemental zone heating strategy, they can heat your most-used rooms and spaces while keeping the thermostat lower.

Find the Perfect Match

From game day to movie night, a beautiful, multifunctional TV stand will transform your living room into a home theater. With this guide in mind, you’re ready to bring home the best TV stand for your needs. Looking for more ideas and inspiration for re-imagining your living space or bedroom? Subscribe to the Twin Star Home® email newsletter now.