So you want to choose a TV stand that does justice to your sleek flat panel TV. The good news is that since the shape of your TV changed, there has been a significant change in the style and shape of TV stands too.
But still, you do have to find a good match for your TV, because you need it to have a sturdy support, and you want it to look good. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind when you go shopping for one:
TV Size
It is important to select the correct size stand because not only are you looking for a stable, sturdy support for your TV, but something that looks good while doing its job.
Make sure that the total width of the stand is more than the total width of your TV. That is important to giving your TV a sturdy base.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the stand should be capable of supporting the TV's weight. Check the manufacturer's guidelines for whether the stand is suitable for your TV model and size. This is important to prevent furniture tip-overs that not only damage equipment, but are a leading cause of injuries, especially for children.
Room Size
The amount of space you allot to your TV stand depends on the size of your room, as this should always be taken into consideration before you choose any furniture. A large media room calls for a larger stand because a small TV stand would feel visually lost. It's all about scale, anyway.
A smaller media room by the same token may need a more space efficient TV stand, that helps with storage too.
Storage
How much storage do you need? That depends on your equipment. Do you have surround sound speakers and additional audio/video equipment as well? You may have DVD collections that need to be stored properly as well.
You may want to put everything in one place, in which case you may have to go beyond a simple TV stand, and look for an entertainment center. If space doesn't allow for you to put everything in one place, you may want to consider separate storage units.
Material
Choosing the material of construction for your TV stand is a matter of personal taste because there is a variety of materials out there.
Wood is the more traditional material. Veneered plywood is mostly used in TV stand construction, but you can find other wood too. Incidentally plywood is much stronger for supporting heavy weight than real wood.
You can also find glass, stainless steel, aluminum, and modern plastics. Mostly tempered glass is used in TV stand construction, so if you have small children, you may want consider wood. Tempered glass can break into tiny pieces if it is dropped or receives a blow. They won't be shards of glass and are much safer, but I do feel that you're better off with a sturdier material when children are concerened.
Appearance and Style
Choosing the appearance and style of your TV stand will be a matter of personal taste. You can chose to purchase a stand that matches your existing furniture as closely as possible. As you will no doubt see, there's plenty of choice out there.
You can choose to have a modern, contemporary looking stand to go with the lines of your TV set, but echo that style somewhere in your other furnishings, if that is not the dominant style of your room.
You can match a traditional looking room with more traditional looking TV stands, as plenty are available.
Special Features
Some features that may be included in some units, but they are by no means standard:
Media storage
Casters for ease in moving
Adjustable shelving
You may want to look for these features to get the most out of your TV stand.
