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Finding beautiful TV stand ideas is no easy task, but don’t worry, creating a statement scheme around your TV is certainly not impossible.
We’ve put together a selection of creative solutions to create a design around your TV stand that you can be proud of, whether it’s alongside meaningful artwork, tucked away in wall storage or set against a dark background.
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TV stand ideas
For most families, a television is an essential tool to help adults relax, keep the kids entertained, and facilitate movie nights. The problem is that it’s not the prettiest piece of interior design – when it’s off, it’s essentially a big black rectangle. Here we present our favorite TV stand ideas to inspire your next purchase.
1. Conceal unsightly wire with a tailored design
(Image credit: Donal Murphy/Sara Cosgrove)
One of the biggest challenges in a family room is dealing with the technology. This bespoke option hides all cables, gives you super storage underneath and keepsake shelves on each side of the living room TV.
“In this living room, we wanted to maximize storage without overwhelming the space. By removing the sides of the TV unit, we managed to keep it light but kept the shelves and lower cabinets to maximize storage space,” says Sara Cosgrove, co-founder of Sara Cosgrove Studio (opens in new tab).
2. Invest in a modular design
(Image credit: James Merrell)
A freestanding unit doubles as a room divider idea and creates a discreet office in this apartment living room – its open plan design allows light to flow freely throughout the space. The beauty of this type of living room storage is that it offers a bespoke solution without the price tag of a bespoke design. Not only can it be assembled to fit any size room, but a statement piece can also function as a work of art.
“Thanks to the modular concept, the furniture can be adapted to all circumstances and combined in many ways,” says Ian Weddell, Managing Director of USM Möbelbau (opens in new tab). Make sure your room dividers are positioned in an area where they’re not likely to be bumped, especially if children are around, and look for ones that can be attached to the ceiling for more support.
3. Provide a central storage area
(Image credit: Richard Powers)
To keep things simple, why not create a central storage and display area for your small living room storage ideas.
In this cozy and inviting living room, the wooden shelves and cabinet design act as the main storage and media unit in the room. Even if the design is a big piece, having a central storage and display area in the room allows you to create a lot more space for seating, other pieces of furniture, lighting, and accessory designs.
4. Design your TV stand according to your scheme
(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald Design, photography by Raquel Langworthy)
Technology is an important factor in most family living room ideas, from WiFi access to background music, and the trend is towards completely covert solutions. Though many modern systems claim to be wireless, there’s no escaping charging stations, routers, and antennas, all of which require wires.
To keep these hidden, incorporate dedicated areas for any media you use in your small living room storage ideas, and specify small inserts in the backs of shelves and cabinets to allow cords to run behind fixtures.
When you add a wall of storage to accommodate your TV in the living room, leave enough space in case you decide to invest in a larger model. Try not to create too much of a gap or your TV will look oddly small.
5. Go to measure
(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)
Historical archives inspired Melissa Bolivar of design firm House of Sui Sui to create this inviting space.
“The space has been designed to offer an immersive experience, with walls, cabinets, sofa and carpet all in shades of teal and aquamarine; the result is incredibly impressive,” says Melissa. “Here a clever combination of hidden and open storage works beautifully around a TV built into the room.”
6. Fade it into the background
(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)
Don’t let a TV stand spoil the aesthetics of your living room. Here, the TV blends beautifully with the custom wood wall paneling of this white and brown living room without disrupting the earthy aesthetic.
“We often make built-in cabinets and TV stands to frame the TV, or a closed sideboard with shelving options,” says interior designer Claudia Afshar (opens in new tab). “So you can keep toys close by without sacrificing aesthetics.”
7. Opt for a freestanding unit
(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)
Modern life requires the family room of the home to serve a variety of functions – from a place to relax and dine to office space, so well-planned living room TV ideas are key to a practical concept.
If space is at a premium, opt for an eye-catching freestanding TV stand to ensure this space meets all your needs. If there’s one thing that creates the illusion of more space in a small living room, it’s investing in the right sleek furniture – it can actually make a room appear larger in seconds.
Not only is a freestanding TV stand cheaper than a custom one, it’s also an easy and inexpensive way to update an existing one.
8. Show full
(Image credit: Jessica Bennett of Alice Lane Interior Design, photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat)
While the TV stand is the main focus in this room, it doesn’t distract from the rest of the room. In fact, the TV looks like a work of art.
“In this relaxed family room, the sleek TV was beautifully framed by a collection of objects,” says Jessica Bennett of Alice Lane Interior Design (opens in new tab). ‘We wanted to create a large TV stand that also offers plenty of storage space for decorative favorites in the room.’
9. Build a storage wall
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
If you don’t want to hide your TV completely, but you also don’t want to be the focal point of a room, positioning it in an area surrounded by other decorative objects and displays will draw attention away from the item.
In this bright and colorful family room, the floor-to-ceiling storage and display unit is a prominent feature of the space. Painted in bright colors and filled with an eclectic mix of objects and design pieces, the smaller TV is simply part of this beautiful collection of items, rather than being the center of attention.
10. Paint your TV stand the same color as the wall
(Image credit: Jonathan Bond Photography)
A carefully considered color combination can create a TV stand that truly sings with joy. This is a space for socializing and retreat, so you want hues that both uplift and comfort you. “Pink and green is one of my favorite color combinations in rooms – they go really well together and it’s a great way to brighten up a room,” says Lucy Barlow, founder of Barlow & Barlow (opens in new tab).
A TV stand surrounded by storage is a practical solution and can be softened by adding books and favorite items. Paint your living room shelf an eye-catching color to make it stand out instead of hiding it.
Remember that the best TV and TV stand options for your home are the ones that suit your unique needs, so don’t let others sway you.
What can I use instead of a TV stand?
There are many options you can use if you don’t want to invest in a traditional TV stand. While a glass media stand is an inexpensive and simple option, it certainly won’t improve a room’s style.
There are a plethora of beautiful options worth investing in instead. We love the idea of using an antique dresser as a TV stand for your bedroom TV ideas, or if your space is on the smaller side a sleek console table will work wonders. A bookshelf, shelf, or sturdy bench are other space-saving options.