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Shop for a sturdy cabinet. Dovetail joints are a good sign; inspect for other signs of quality worksmanship. If shopping in a store, give the stand/cabinet a nudge and see what happens. If you're shopping online, sift through reviews and watch for complaints as to lack of sturdiness.
As far as materials, keep them to a minimum. If your room primarily contains wood, shop for wood of the same type. (In other words, if you started with maple, stick with maple.) Steel and glass pair well so if you started with one, the other will be a match. Keep within the same color palette; though steel and brass are both metals, they don't pair well.
Shop for something that won't consume the allotted space. A cabinet or armoire will be very likely to visually devour the space, particularly in smaller rooms. Darker colors will also be more dramatic so if you decide to go with a darker color in a smaller space, it is a good idea to choose a smaller piece.
Allow ample space for your electronics. Your dvd player, home theater system, and video game console need space. Be sure to factor in the length of their cables and the visibility of the infrared receivers for the remotes; if your electronics are shut into a cabinet, their remotes won't function. Also, without proper air circulation, the devices will be likely to overheat. Selecting an armoire or cabinet that was not designed for this use will result in the extra hassle of drilling holes to accommodate cords.
Think thin. The days of the console television are over and your tv requires only the narrowest of surfaces. The skinnier the stand, the more room real estate you'll reclaim.
A swivel stand can dramatically enhance the television's visibility, particularly with an LCD which may be prone to glare issues if placed in line with light, particularly sunlight. A swivel stand is a particularly valuable investment if the seating area is prone to rearrangement. With a larger family in particular, whether the tv is watched by just one or shared by many may change which direction it should face.
To best utilize the space, a wall mount is the best option and is usually less expensive. As with a swivel stand, an adjustable mount is crucial if the needs of the seating area change or there are potential lighting issues.
Remember that a wall mount is useless unless the wall can safely support the weight. If you're not sure whether the wall is sturdy enough for this task, it is not worth the safety risk, for the welfare of your family as well as your television! Many stores offer wall mount services so this may be the route to go.
Think of all the tv components you've added in the last few years you'll undoubtedly add more in the next few years. Factor this into your purchase decision. Don't buy "just enough" space; allow room for expansion.
There are clearly many ways of mounting a Plasma or LCD screen. Click these links for further information on choosing a tv stand
or a bracket for your LCD or Plasma TV
Mat Churchill is a keen AV enthusiast with a lot of knowledge about home entertainment equipment. He has knowledge of LCD TVs, Plasma TVs, Blu ray Players, Home Cinema systems etc.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
