Living rooms are for cozying up on the couch with popcorn in one hand and a remote in the other. The average American watches 4 hours of TV per day, so it makes sense to want the ideal set-up. However, with the wrong entertainment unit, you’ll be stuck staring at wiring and stacked up electronics. Even worse, the wrong TV stand will make your TV unstable and prone to…well, let’s not put such awful imagery in your head.
You deserve an entertainment unit that is perfect for your needs. One that fits all of your electronics, keeps your TV stable, and is gorgeous enough to stare at every evening. There are a few things to consider when deciding what to buy, so here is our guide for purchasing entertainment units and TV stands.
Proper Measurements Are Key
Undoubtedly the most important part of choosing an entertainment unit or TV stand for your home is taking the correct measurements. Too small and you will end up using the floor for storage while your precious TV teeters on the edge. Too big and you’ll be sending it back, rearranging the whole room, or upgrading your house if you’re truly stubborn. None of these are ideal options and can be avoided with a few extra minutes of planning before shopping.
Measure Your Electronics
The size of your TV is the very first thing to factor in when deciding if the entertainment unit or TV stand is the right one for you. Make sure the base or feet is smaller than the dimensions of the TV stand. If the base is even slightly over the edge of the unit, it will greatly increase the chance of an accident. Next, measure the depth of your television. If the unit is against the wall and you have a thick TV, there may not be enough room to keep the base firmly on the unit. And of course, the length and height of your television. You want to make sure it can comfortably fit on the unit, without the unit being so oversized that it will make your TV look small.
While the TV is the main one, don’t forget about your other electronics too. Game consoles, DVD players, cable boxes, etc. Take note of how many electronics you have and their size, so you can be sure the entertainment unit will meet your needs.
Measure Your Space
Take measurements of the area you want the TV stand or entertainment unit to go. How deep can the unit be without it taking up walking space? How long can it be? Don’t forget to measure the height, especially if you plan to get a unit with vertical storage.
Types of Entertainment Units and TV Stands
You have an almost endless number of options, so it will be no problem finding one that meets your needs once you’ve decided on the measurements and how much storage you want.
While entertainment units and TV stands come in a wide range of designs, there are a few main styles you’ll likely encounter. Don’t forget to also decide if you want the storage options to be open shelves or closed cabinets.
Wall Units
If you’re looking for a lot of storage while still maintaining a trendy, open, even minimalist feel, wall units are a perfect choice. They provide vertical storage of various heights, either as open shelves or closed cabinets. An option with open shelves is ideal for displaying interesting decor items to change up the feel of the space.
Enclosed TV Stands
A grander and more luxurious-feeling alternative to wall units while still providing a lot of storage. Enclosed TV stands usually command the room with their solid, sturdy appearance.
Typically built so that the TV sits inside of the unit with doors that enclose the television and hide it from view when not in use.
Open TV Stands
Open TV stands are designed to accommodate all different sizes of styles of TVs with varying levels of storage options. They are available in different heights and lengths with open and closed storage options, or no storage at all.
Corner Stands
A great option for people who want to maximize the square footage of smaller rooms. Corner TV stands are designed to perfectly fit into the corner of a room rather than against a straight wall.
Finished or Unfinished
One of the many benefits of buying solid wood furniture is getting to decide if you want it finished or unfinished.
When furniture is finished, it means that the surface has been refined and a finish has been applied such as varnish or stain.
A good quality finish is as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing; it helps to protect the unit from moisture and stains while changing the color to whatever you desire.
When you buy solid wood furniture that is already finished, it means it is ready to be set-up as soon as you get it home. You’ll already know exactly what the finished product looks like.
Buying unfinished means you can see the wood grain and quality of the workmanship as there is no way to hide issues. It gives you the chance to finish it any way you please and is cheaper than buying an already finished entertainment unit or TV stand. However, it will take some time on your part to select and apply the right finish.
