Top Tips for Buying Your TV Stand

With all TVs switching from an analog signal to digital in February 2009, many people are upgrading their television sets now, rather than purchasing one of those converter boxes. This is probably a good investment, as many new digital TVs have significantly dropped in price since their initial inception and prices are continuing to drop over time. Since many of these new digital TVs are flat panel, featuring a wider frame, a new TV stand becomes necessary to accommodate the bigger TV. But what if you don't have the space for a new, big TV entertainment center? What if your walls are too weak to support a heavy wall-mounted TV stand? Here are some basic tips on choosing the right TV stand for your new TV.

1.) Space It Out:

First things first - you need to know where your TV is going to go. Chances are, you already have a space for your TV and you are simply replacing your old TV and TV stand. This is fine, but it’s a good idea to take measurements of both your old TV stand and your space. Now would also be the perfect time to consider switching up the placement of your TV, rearranging your sofas, coffee tables, etc. to create an optimal viewing area. Once you have your space mapped out you are ready to choose the perfect TV stand.

2.) Storage, Storage, Storage:

Storage space is another key component of your ideal TV stand. You need to think about how much you want your TV stand to do for you! Most people probably have a DVD player, VCR or both. If this is all you need to store than pretty much any TV stand should be able to accommodate. It's when you add on a Blu-Ray player, video game console, CD stereo and other pieces of equipment that you need to opt for a TV stand with much more storage space. An important thing worth noting - just because you require more storage space, doesn't mean that you need to get a bigger TV stand. Many small TV stands on the market offer more than enough storage space for their compact size.

3.) What Is It Made Of?:

TV stands today tend to be made from one of a number of different materials - hardwood, wood veneer, engineered wood and metal/glass. Which material you choose will depend on a couple of things - your budget and your design aesthetic. Hardwood TV stands are the best of the best and generally cost more. It's long-lasting, durable and very stylish. A wood veneer is equally as stylish, but generally not as high quality. A wood veneer features one piece of hardwood glued over another material - generally MDF or some other type of engineered wood.

Engineered wood (MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard) is an environmentally-friendly alternative to hardwood - made from recycled materials and very light-weight. TV stands made out of both a wood veneer and MDF tend to be less expensive than hardwood. Metal and glass TV stands can range in price from inexpensive to expensive - depending on the type of metal used and the amount of glass used. Many modern TV stands are made out of this metal and glass combination.

4.) Showcase Your Style:

Matching your TV stand with your home decor is an important final consideration to make when shopping. Modern TV stands tend to be sleeker and more streamlined - made out of a dark hardwood/wood veneer, glass and metal. More traditional TV stands are typically made of a lighter wood and feature ornate detail work and carving. Traditional TV stands tend to be inspired by an old world, or old fashioned aesthetic. Contemporary TV stands tend to be more casual and simple in form, with sleek, curved and tempered lines. Rustic TV stands on the other hand evokes a lodge or ranch-style with a distressed finish or altogether unfinished. Just make sure that your TV stand looks appropriate in whatever room you decide to place it in.