It is important to select the correct size stand because not only are you looking for 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.

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.

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.

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 heavyweight 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 to 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 concerned.

Choosing the appearance and style of your TV stand will be a matter of personal taste. You can choose to purchase a stand that matches your existing furniture as closely as possible. As you will no doubt see, there’s plenty of choices 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.