The living room is where most of us spend our time, and always central to the focus is the home entertainment system. Finding the ideal solution to mount your television can significantly enhance your viewing pleasure. While wall mounts remain a popular choice and media walls have gained in popularity, TV floor stands offer a versatile and practical alternative that can transform your space.
There are a few various options on how to mount your television if not attached to the wall, but you are limited to a cabinet, shelf or even a mobile cart option. And key factors when choosing a mount for your TV are the size and weight, the viewing angle (including any reflections from windows), the wall material, and your room layout (in particular where the comfortable seating is).
It’s worth stressing the importance of the size and weight for health and safety reasons, and it is recommended to consult with a professional or refer to the TV manufacturer’s guidelines for the best mounting option for your specific TV model. Any purchase should be compatible with your brand of TV, particularly the VESA standard size of attachment fixings and location.
Of course this article is focusing on the benefits of quality TV floor stands, and they are an underrated option which provide numerous benefits for homeowners seeking flexibility, aesthetics, and functionality.
Unlike a TV wall bracket, which require careful placement and installation by drilling into brick, floor standing offer the freedom to position your TV wherever you desire. They are easier to move than cabinets, which also need to be quite large if you plan on angling the TV screen. And while they are aren’t as mobile as a cart on wheels, they look so much better, taking interior design inspiration from pieces of art on an easel.
Whether you want to centre your TV in the room, angle it for optimal viewing from different seating arrangements, or move it to accommodate special events or gatherings, a floor stand provides the flexibility to adapt to your needs and furniture placement.
Why would you want a floor TV stand?
TV floor stands are an excellent choice for rooms where wall mounting may not be feasible or desirable. Renters, for instance, may be restricted in their ability to make permanent alterations to their living space, making floor stands an ideal solution for enjoying a mounted TV without the need for drilling holes or making structural changes.
Additionally, in spaces with unconventional layouts or architectural features, such as angled walls or high ceilings, floor stands offer a straightforward mounting solution that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.
Finally, with sleek and modern designs, the interior design impacts are a real wow factor and turns the television into one of the room’s focal points. The aesthetic influence of a TV floor stand significantly contributes to the ambiance of any living space.
Modern aesthetics and current design trends suggest that a well-chosen TV stand not only enhances the room but also adopts a minimalist approach, complementing existing colour schemes and furniture integration. The deliberate alignment with design trends ensures that the TV stand aids in room enhancement, acting as a catalyst for a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
Types of TV Floor Stands
If this article has piqued your interest, lets explore the options and features available.
Fixed
This type of fixed stand is stationary and does not have any adjustable features. It is designed to hold the TV at a fixed height and angle. It’s more affordable, but offers much less flexibility.
Tilting
This allows you to adjust the angle of the TV screen vertically, which is moving it up or down based on if you are higher or lower than the screen. This is useful when you want to change the viewing angle to reduce glare or enhance the viewing experience based on where you are watching it from.
The angle range is worth noting here, but in truth more useful for high wall mounted TV’s. For example a 5°/-15° means you can point it upwards by 5 degrees, and downwards 15 degrees. And if you are lying on a bed this is essential to be facing you as centrally as possible. For the record, 5° is not a lot, but useful to have none the less.
Swivel
A swivel TV floor stand allows you to rotate the TV horizontally, so twisting it left and right which is useful to angle it to a rarely used secondary seating area. This feature is beneficial when you want to adjust the viewing angle to different positions in the room.
Again, a swivel range should be given to know how much flexibility there is, and it’s usually a 90° angle.
Height-Adjustable
This type of stand allows you to adjust the height of the stand, and thus the TV screen. It is useful when you want to customize the viewing height based on your seating arrangement or personal preference. In some ways this is better than a tilt, but if you can get the trifactor of tilt, swivel and height adjusted it’s the ideal flexibility.
Mobile
As the name suggests, a mobile TV floor stand comes with wheels or casters on the base. It allows you to move the TV from one room to another easily. It’s obvious more use if you are intend on moving it often frequently and need it portable.
Cantilever
A cantilever TV floor stand features an extended arm that allows you to pull the TV forward or push it back, often with tilt and swivel options. It provides more flexibility in adjusting the viewing angle and position of the TV, but again I’d strongly suggest you ensure you check the weight specifications before use.
Cable Management Solutions
Wherever your TV is, the ability to conceal cables and wires results in a clean and streamlined appearance.
Integrated cable management systems keep unsightly wires out of sight, minimizing clutter and maintaining a polished look in your entertainment area. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your space but also reduces the risk of tripping hazards and ensures a safer environment for you and your family.
And how does that work with a TV stand? Well you have to be able to plug it in to a power supply at minimum. If you have a soundbar, wired internet or satellite box, then there are additional cables to manage. So yes, for any location, close proximity to a plug is needed. But that is not unique to using a TV stand, just perhaps limited to how far you can move it.
If you have it up against the wall, then a four way extension can be tucked up behind it with just one cable to the plug which you could use raceways, channels or ducts to hide. Cable sleeves and wraps are also an option if you want movability.
The rest of the HDMI or Audio/Video cables and wires are easy to manage with Velcro cable ties as you can easily get to the back of the TV to tidy them up, unlike wall mounted when you likely need to channel into the wall.
These days, most smart TVs come with built-in apps and features like Wi-Fi connectivity, streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.), and screen mirroring options. AV cables are rarely used unless on soundbars.
TV choice and compatibility
It’s worth covering this off as the type of TV you have can affect the impact of window reflections, which can be distracting, especially in brightly lit rooms and should influence your stand choice.
LED, LCD, OLED, and QLED are all types of display technologies used in TVs and other electronic devices. When it comes to reflection impact, each type of display technology has its own characteristics.
LED (Light Emitting Diode)
LED displays use light-emitting diodes to illuminate the screen and a backlighting system consisting of LEDs. They are energy-efficient and offer good picture quality, but these displays can be reflective, especially if the screen has a glossy finish. The level of reflection can vary depending on the specific model and the environment in which it is used.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD displays use liquid crystals to create images and also use a backlight system, typically fluorescent lamps or LEDs. Similar to LED displays, LCD screens can be reflective, particularly if they have a glossy finish. Reflections can be distracting, especially in brightly lit rooms.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
OLED displays use organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is passed through them. They do not require a separate backlight, as each pixel emits its own light. OLED screens are less reflective compared to LED and LCD displays, which can result in better visibility and contrast in various lighting conditions. They offer superior picture quality, high contrast ratios, and fast response times.
QLED (Quantum Dot LED)
QLED displays utilize quantum dots to enhance colour accuracy and brightness. They offer vibrant colours and high brightness levels, making them popular for HDR content. But QLED screens can be reflective, especially if they have a glossy finish. However, they generally offer better anti-glare properties compared to traditional LED and LCD displays.
So, OLED displays tend to have the least reflection impact due to their self-emissive nature, while LED, LCD, and QLED displays can exhibit varying levels of reflectivity. The impact of reflections can also be influenced by the screen’s finish (e.g., matte vs. glossy) and the ambient lighting conditions in which the display is used.
Designs and materials
Floor TV Stands are all sturdy and tend to be made from wood, metal and tempered glass and the right design really depends on the interior design of the room and the screen size.
Wood TV stands are popular for their durability and classic look. They come in various finishes such as oak, walnut, and mahogany, offering a traditional and elegant appearance.
Metal TV stands are a more minimalist industrial style. They are durable, lightweight, and often steel, aluminium, and chrome. These obviously come in colours like black, white, grey or silver.
