How to Choose a TV Stand

TV stand selection depends on three factors: television width, available wall space and storage requirements for media equipment. Most stands measure between 100 and 180 centimetres wide, matching screens from 43 to 75 inches.

Start with a tape measure, not a catalogue. Measure your television's width edge to edge, then measure the wall or alcove where it will live, leaving at least 10cm of clearance on either side so the stand doesn't look cramped against the screen. If you've got young children or pets in the house, it's also worth checking safety guidance on anchoring furniture, since a top-heavy television on a narrow base can tip more easily than people expect.

Storage matters just as much as width. Think about what actually needs a home: a games console, a soundbar, a stack of DVDs nobody's watched since 2015 (we've all got one of these cupboards).

Rather like buying shoes, the size on the box only tells you half the story. It's the fit within your specific room that decides whether a stand earns its keep or becomes another thing you're stepping around.

TV stand features worth prioritising include weight capacity, cable management openings and a stable, level base. Weight capacity typically ranges from 30 to 80 kilograms depending on the material and construction.

Cable management is the feature people forget until it's too late. Look for a stand with routed holes at the back panel, so leads for your television, soundbar and console can run through neatly rather than trailing across the floor. In the UK, any upholstered elements on furniture, including some media units with fabric detailing, must meet the furniture and furnishings fire safety regulations, so it's worth checking labelling if a stand includes soft materials.

Open shelving suits households that like their kit on display, while closed cabinets suit households that don't. Neither is right or wrong, just different philosophies for the same problem.

One thing I always tell clients: test the stand's stability before you commit, not after delivery day. A gentle push test on the showroom floor tells you more than any spec sheet.

TV Stand Sizing by Screen Size

As the table shows, stand width should scale roughly in step with screen size, giving the television visual balance rather than leaving it perched on a base that looks too narrow.

Choosing a TV stand involves measuring your television and wall space, then matching stand width, height and storage capacity to your specific room and viewing setup. This process typically takes under 30 minutes with a tape measure.

This checklist lists the steps for choosing a TV stand in the right order.

1. Measure your television's width and height in centimetres before shopping.
2. Measure the wall space or alcove where the stand will sit.
3. Choose a stand that extends at least 10cm wider than the screen on each side.
4. Compare stand height against your seated eye level, usually 100 to 110cm from the floor.
5. Confirm the stand's weight capacity supports your television plus any soundbar or console.
6. Check cable management openings match the number of devices you own.
7. Decide between open shelving or closed cabinets based on how tidy you want cables to look.
8. Select a finish and style, such as farmhouse, bohemian, compact or Japandi.
9. Test the stand's stability with a gentle push before purchase or on delivery.
10. Anchor the stand to the wall if children or pets are in the home.