A TV stand is more than just a stand. This type of furniture is distinguished by a variety of designs and special designs. A cabinet can add a special twist to creating a unique style.
With the advent of computers, many experts argued that the era of televisions would soon end. But people had no idea how firmly television had entered the everyday life of mankind. This device is found in almost every home. From year to year, TV manufacturers are developing the latest technologies and making their products more and more advanced. Having bought a new TV, the owner of the purchase most likely will not want to install it on old-fashioned furniture. And he will go to the store to buy a new pedestal for his newly acquired friend. After all, watching movies should bring moral and aesthetic pleasure.
Construction type
Depending on their device, modern TV stands can be divided into the following types:
Original ideas in the interior
Thanks to the right decor, you can significantly transform the decor and appearance of your TV stand. For example, in the design of structures they often use ivory inlay, colored mosaics, natural veneer, or use the technique of decoupage and burning of various patterns.
In addition, products made from thick timber that have retained the growth rings of old wood on the surface or structures made from pallets or brick blocks have a rather original look.
Chest of drawers
Such furniture allows you not only to place equipment, but also to store other things in drawers. TV chests can be of different heights. Since the bed in the bedroom is usually much higher than the sofa, a taller chest of drawers is chosen for it. You can store bed linen or clothes in the drawers.
In living rooms, the TV is placed on low chests of drawers with 1-2 rows of drawers. They hold gadgets, chargers or documents. Drawers in low cabinets may not be very deep, which is compensated by the long cabinet.
Varieties
Let's look at the most common models that are popular. Which one is better to choose for your interior?
Glass bedside tables
Glass cabinets have become extremely popular in recent years. The reason is their elegant appearance, compatibility with many interior styles, and practicality. However, some believe that glass, on the contrary, is not the best material due to its fragility.
Popular glass models
We will try to dispel this myth and tell you the main advantages of glass cabinets. A glass cabinet together with a modern TV will effectively complement the Art Nouveau, hi-tech and even classic styles. They will add a feeling of lightness and harmony to your apartment.
The glass for such structures is made at least 6 millimeters thick, which makes it incredibly strong. If you accidentally drop something small, such as a remote control, onto such a surface, chips or cracks will not appear on the glass. Thus, the cabinet will be able to support a TV, speakers and other audio and video equipment.
Effectively complements the design in the room
Most often, they do not have sharp corners, which is safe if there are children at home.
Their configurations differ in the following parameters:
- open or closed;
- two-level or multi-level;
- transparent or colored.
Glass cabinets are designed to be as compact and functional as possible in order to take up as little space as possible in the room. Most models have special shelves for additional equipment (for example, a DVD player).
We use it for discs, record players and other small items.
Glass models are often combined with chrome-plated metal parts or wood. A pattern or design can be applied to a transparent surface.
Advice When choosing glass furniture, pay attention not only to the appearance, but also to the reliability of the fasteners. The dimensions must fit into the space you have planned. The glass must be free from deformation or soft scratches.
Wooden
Despite all the delights of fashion, wood still remains a popular material for furniture. It is believed that it is more characteristic of the classical style.
Typical classic style
There is some truth to this statement, but modern wooden bedside tables fit perfectly into other design trends.
- Modern concepts more often use homogeneous materials. However, fusion, modern and loft styles are effectively emphasized by the beauty of wood. Often products are served in an unusual form. A chest made of rosewood or a homemade rough box made from untreated boards can fit into the loft style.
- Wood is easier to care for—it’s easy to clean, sand, and polish. Wooden products are easy to create with your own hands from old furniture or boards.
- Wooden bedside tables are very durable - they will literally last a hundred years.
Wooden furniture is more durable
The TV stand is made from the following wood materials:
- Array . It is characterized by a pronounced woody pattern, but nowadays an array of even colors is more often used.
- Veneer . A thin section of wood is glued onto a less expensive material, such as MDF. Externally, the cabinet will not differ from the array, but it will cost much less.
- MDF . It can be covered with decorative film, be laminated, have acrylic coating, etc. The material is widely used for the production of various furniture due to its strength, resistance to moisture and temperature changes. Acrylic panels will fit perfectly into the design of a modern living room.
- Chipboard . An inexpensive material that is inferior in strength and service life to the first options, but it looks beautiful.
Laminated MDF is an excellent material
Modern wooden structures may look like this:
- Floor-standing - almost entirely made of wood; there are metal or glass elements.
- Console - look great in a modern interior. Most often they are made of MDF.
- Corner - wooden modules in the corner of a room often look more advantageous than their metal and glass counterparts.
- Stand - for such cabinets, only some detail is made of wood, for example the top panel.
Combined glass and wood option
Narrow
Narrow furniture is chosen for small and spacious living rooms. A bedside table with a width of 25 to 30 centimeters is considered narrow . Don’t worry that such a narrow cabinet won’t fit the things you need – due to the height and length, everything will fit in there!
Narrow cabinets come in two types:
- Depth 30 centimeters . The optimal size for a TV stand. Small equipment can be conveniently installed here, and there will be areas for storing other items. But if you have a plasma with a curved screen, you will have to take a closer look at other models.
- Depth 20-25 centimeters . If the room is very small, you have to choose this size of bedside table. Sturdy construction and high-quality materials can withstand the weight. But there is almost no space for storing equipment and various small items.
Narrow cabinet when there is little space
Narrow cabinets can also be divided according to height:
- Low - the size from the floor is from 30 to 50 centimeters, suitable for placing a plasma panel with a large diagonal. The Art Nouveau style has lower sofas, so it will be comfortable to watch TV.
- Tall - the size from the floor is from 60 to 90 centimeters, shaped like a square. Suitable for small TVs in living rooms with high sofas and armchairs.
Corner cabinet
Suitable for rooms with a small area because... allows functional use of corner space. A corner cabinet can have several rows of drawers. The glass cabinet with hinged doors also looks great.
The model of the cabinet depends on the size and weight of the TV, as well as the desired location and height of the bed or sofa from where it will be watched.
Wall mounting methods
Not so long ago, the only way to place a large cabinet on the wall was with anchor bolts. It didn't look very aesthetically pleasing. And reliability depended entirely on the quality of the partition’s masonry. Today, furniture canopies are in increasing demand for these purposes. They are 2 plates, movably fastened together. Specially designed for hanging lower tiers of furniture. One mount can withstand up to 120 kg of load. After installation, they allow you to adjust the placement of the cabinet in depth and height by 2 cm in each direction. Additionally equipped with a pair of plugs. Despite the serious endurance in terms of weight, never mount one canopy in the center. Use at least 2 pieces along the edges. Even distribution of the load will improve the quality of the suspension.
No matter how reliable the chosen fastener is, the quality of the wall still affects the final result. The partition must be load-bearing. Failure to comply with this rule can result in expensive repairs and problems with neighbors.
Solid wood
Perhaps the most expensive material. It looks great and lasts a very long time. The style can be either classic, with carvings and decorative elements, or modern and very laconic. The wood may be coated with paint or varnish to show the grain of the wood.
A cabinet made of natural oak, for example, will cost you quite a lot. However, in furniture stores you can find options made from cheaper pine veneered with an expensive type of wood.
Classic
It is quite difficult to fit a TV into heavy classics, since it seems like a foreign element. But there are still options. Of course, it’s all a matter of taste, but we would not recommend buying a special panel along with the bedside table on which you can hang the TV. It is a self-sufficient element in itself and does not need unnecessary decorations.
In general, its modern version looks much more relevant than the heavy seasoned classics. How can this be expressed in the design of TV tables? You can add a little gloss and voluminous decoration to the doors. Again, gold details and accessories in this style.
Modern classics is a very broad concept that provides a huge field for experimentation. That is, you follow the basic canons that make your home chic, but individual pieces of furniture can gravitate towards a modern style and add a touch of playfulness to a strict interior. Why not experiment with a cabinet? At least it's easier to replace than a wardrobe or sofa.
There is a stereotype that even modern classics can only be matched with elaborate furniture. In fact, simple interior items will perfectly help reduce the degree of pathos. After all, good design does not mean buying everything golden, massive and expensive at once. On the contrary, find a balance between sophistication and simplicity.
Door type
Cabinets can have several types of doors and drawers.
Hinged doors are often installed on classic cabinets. They are convenient and reliable, but they require space to open, and this may not be enough, for example in the bedroom.
Hinged doors have approximately the same properties.
Chests of drawers are equipped with drawers. The opening mechanism consists of metal guides and rollers. The safest drawers are those that open 80% and cannot fall out.
We recommend reading:
- Wenge-colored wardrobe in a modern interior: 100 photos of beautiful design and proper placement
- Pull-out cabinet: description of all types according to method of use. Examples of placement in a modern interior (120 photos)
Black wardrobe: a review of bold decisions on choosing and combining dark furniture in a modern interior (95 photos)
Sliding doors are great for small spaces. One of the halves slides behind the other, opening the cabinet compartment.
Facades - opening methods
The front side of the cabinet with doors is called the facade. The most commonly used types of facade opening systems are:
- Swing. The sash is attached to the intersectional partition or sidewall using furniture movable hinges. A very reliable method of hanging a door. But the system does not tolerate strong jerks or pressure. This may cause the fastener to break. When open, it takes up a lot of space;
- Folding. A convenient option for a wall-mounted TV stand. In addition to standard hinges, side holders with an open position lock are added. You will also need enough space in front of the cabinet. Do not try to pull the sash down after the latch clicks. This way you can tear out the holders;
- Retractable. This is a traditional drawer fitting system. Provision is made for mounting narrow side guides and small rollers. The internal contents are protected from dust;
- Sliding. The sashes are fastened with hinges in pairs. Equipped with an upper guide with a roller carriage. When opened they move to the side. The doors themselves fold like a book. When folded, they will stick out. The system is distinguished by ease of use and low noise level.
Cabinet size
Safety parameters require that the TV be mounted on a cabinet that is equal to or larger than it in width and depth. It’s worth considering in advance whether only the TV or other items will be on the cabinet.
The dimensions of the cabinet should also correspond to the scale of the room and the overall height of the furniture. It will be convenient to watch TV if it is at eye level or slightly higher.
To determine this parameter, sit on a sofa or chair with a straight back and mark a conventional point opposite your face on the wall; the center of the screen should be at this place.
Posting rules
In the living room, the TV is usually placed in the center of the larger wall - here it occupies the place of honor.
This placement is justified for several reasons:
- a beautiful cabinet that fits well into the interior improves the appearance of the room;
- when using some models, the illusion of an abundance of free space in a very small area is created;
- a spacious bedside table allows you to store many necessary things in it;
- the design of the living room becomes more functional;
- if the design is long and narrow, then it combines best with a flat screen.
In antique-style interiors, the TV is often disguised as a painting, using the appropriate surroundings - wall sconces, picture frames, large clocks. The stand with the TV should be positioned so that it is comfortable to watch without your eyes and neck getting tired.
Permissible load
The packaging of the cabinet or the accompanying document must indicate the maximum load that this or that cabinet, or rather its top cover, can withstand. You need to add another 2-4 kg to the weight of the TV in case a pet jumps on the stand or a small child hangs on it.
To protect the cabinet from falling, some models are additionally attached to the wall with brackets, even if they stand on legs.
Cabinet on wheels
Among the models of cabinets there are also mobile ones. They are suitable as stands for small and light TVs. These cabinets have wheels and can be easily moved around the room.
If you want to buy such a cabinet, be sure to check whether it has wheel locks. They help secure the wheels in one position so that the cabinet does not move on the floor, even if you place it not against a wall, but in an open space.
The cabinet should fit the size of your TV and match the overall style of the room in which it will be located.
