Finding the right sized TV stand for your home is crucial as it’s usually the focal point of your living / sitting room. If it’s too small, it could cause your TV to fall, but if it’s too big, it’ll look odd. It’s also important to get the right size stand as it will keep your TV in place, and make it more comfortable to watch.
When purchasing a TV stand, there are several factors you need to consider other than the size of your TV. When picking a stand, you need to think about the following:
Choosing a Comfortable Viewing Height
If you have to crane your neck at awkward angles just to get a good view of your TV, this can cause a lot of discomfort and muscle strain. It’s important that you position your TV at eye level. It’s recommended that your TV is elevated 45 inches off of the ground, but this can vary depending on the height of your sofa and chairs.
Match the stand to the size of your TV
As you probably guessed, you need to make sure your stand matches the size of your TV. If you’ve opted for a wide TV, it’s important to think about how much floor or wall space it’s going to take up.
Although most flat-screen TVs come with a base to evenly distribute the weight, if your TV stand is too small you run the risk of your TV toppling over. So, you need to make sure that your stand can hold the weight capacity of your TV.
Choose the Right Style and Aesthetic for You
TV stands come in a wide variety of different styles, aesthetics, and elements. Mixing styles can confuse your decor, so choose a stand that blends well with your existing furniture and decorating style.
If you’re into contemporary decor, then clean lines and open shelving works perfectly. If you want the room to feel more bright and spacious, opt for pale neutrals like gray or white. If you prefer a more traditional style, then dark woods and thicker frames will compliment the style of your room.
Choose the Right Material
There are a few common materials that are used to make TV stands. These include wood, metal, glass, and fiberboard. Wood and metal are both long-lasting materials, and as TVs are heavy, they remain stable even when knocked by busy children or pets.
Glass is also considered a durable material to use as glass stands are typically reinforced with metal supports. However, if you are worried about cracks, glass stands are usually best used in low-traffic households. Fiberboard is a cheaper alternative to wooden TV stands, however, their durability isn’t as good and often need replacing a lot sooner.
Consider Storage and Organization
If you want to keep your TV stand free of clutter and the wires hidden, then it’s worth looking for a stand that comes with storage.
For example, large stands allow you to arrange multiple electronics (cable boxes, games consoles, DVD players) in one location, and also tend to have room for you to place decorative objects. Most stands also include cutouts for cord management, which is perfect for helping conceal cables.
How do I Measure my TV for a Stand?
The advertised size of your TV doesn’t reflect the actual size of your TV. That’s because the size refers to the diagonal measurements of the screen, not the horizontal width of the TV – which is what you’ll need to find the right sized stand. For instance, if your TV is 45”, that actually means that the diagonal length of the screen is 45 inches, not the TV as a whole.
It can be a little confusing seeing as though the size the TV is advertised as only accounts for the screen. So, in order to find the right TV stand, you have to measure your TV yourself. Luckily this is a pretty simple process.
Step 1: Find the Width of Your TV
What you’ll need to do first is find the actual width of your TV, as the diagonal screen measurements will be different than the overall size. The true size of a TV is actually smaller than the screen size.
To get the true size of your TV, use a measuring tape and start at one edge of the frame. When the tape reaches the other side, you should then have the actual size of your TV. Alternatively, you can always ask the manufacturer or search online for the size of your model.
It’s also worth making note of the height and dimension of your TV, as this will help you find the right size stand – especially if you’re opting for a corner stand. If your TV comes with a slot-in base (to place it onto a table stand) measure from the bottom of the base to the top of the TV.
Step 2: Find a TV Stand that Matches the Size of Your TV
Once you’ve got the actual measurements of your TV it’s time to find the right stand. Whereas TVs use their diagonal measurements for width, TV stands use the horizontal width. To make sure your TV is stable, and to have the best viewing experience, we recommend purchasing a stand that is a few inches wider than your TV. As a general rule of thumb, leaving about 3 inches either side of your TV to the edge of the stand is ideal.
As we mentioned earlier, placing a larger TV on a small TV stand can cause a safety issue, and your TV may not be sturdy enough. However, placing a small TV on a large stand can throw off the whole look of your room.
It’s also worth mentioning that for corner TV stands you also need to measure the wall and the edges of the TV to prevent either the stand or TV scraping the wall and causing damage.
There are three main size categories. These are:
- Compact TV Stand: From 31” – 55” (perfect for small TVs which take up very little space).
- Medium TV Stands: From 55” – 70” (offer just the right amount of space and storage for most TVs).
- Large TV Stands: 70” and up (typically all round entertainment centers for living rooms or offices, and make it very easy to store multiple electronic devices and hide wires and cords. Usually statement pieces of furniture as they function as the focal point of a room).
Step 3: Find the Right TV Stand Height
As we mentioned briefly, it’s important that your TV is positioned to eye level, which means that you don’t have to strain or crane your neck to be able to comfortably view the screen. You’ll want to have your TV either at eye level or a little bit below, which depends on your seated height on your couch or chairs.
To figure out the ideal height, sit in your chair or sofa and measure the distance from the floor to your eye-level and subtract half of the height of the TV. Within 1 – 2 inches of that height is the most ideal for eye level.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has provided you with everything you need to find the perfect TV stand for you. Remember to find a stand that supports your TV and fits in with the aesthetics of your home.
