Your DIY skills and design style might decide which is the best setup for binge-watching
Whether you opt for a TV stand or wall mount depends on what you're looking for in terms of decor, budget, and ease of installation.
Wall mounts are trickier to install than TV stands, but are safer, take up less space, and typically cost less.
Easy-to-assemble TV stands come with handy storage and many design styles to complement your room’s aesthetic.
If your family loves gathering for movie nights or binging a new show, the TV will undoubtedly take center stage in your living room. When you weigh whether to opt for a TV stand vs. a wall-mount setup, it helps to know the benefits of each. Whether you’ve just splurged on a new flat screen or are planning a living room remodel, how you display your TV is a major decision. Here’s a breakdown of each option for setting up your entertainment center.
The differences between a TV stand and wall mount go beyond just the obvious aesthetics. Depending on your choice, it can also have an impact on space-saving, installation costs, and even child and pet-proofing needs. Which option you choose ultimately depends on the size of your TV and the amount of wall space you have available, but it’s important to weight other considerations and long-term needs, like if you’ll eventually have to mount a TV to keep away from children.
An easy-assembly TV stand could be a winner if you're not an avid DIYer. Understanding their pluses and minuses makes it easier to know if it’s the right choice for you and your home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy assembly | Non-adjustable |
| Extra storage | TV console takes up more space |
| Many design options | Potential safety risks |
Best for: Rooms that need additional storage options
A TV stand might be just what your living room or bonus room needs to tie the room together and allow you to enjoy your new TV. All you need is a TV stand or console that meets the dimensions of your TV and overall space.
Select a stand with cubby holes, shelves, or drawers that can store more than just the TV itself. These shelves are also ideal for storing other entertainment equipment, like gaming consoles and sound systems.
Whatever type of home design style you have, from mid-century modern to farmhouse, there’ll be a TV stand that will be a good fit. You can even custom build a TV stand to suit your taste. They can fill dead space, add character, and enhance your aesthetic. If you don’t want to spend your weekend assembling a stand, hire a handyperson or furniture assembly pro to get it done for you.
There are situations in which you may want to avoid investing in a TV stand, especially if fitting in another piece of furniture is challenging.
Opting for a TV stand that's too short or tall will make watching the screen uncomfortable. You’ll need to carefully measure before purchasing, as TV stand heights usually aren’t adjustable.
TV stands also pose a potential safety risk. Rough play can tip these heavy items off the stand, so that’s something to consider if you’ve got rambunctious kids or pets. You might need some straps to secure and childproof your TV.
Finally, a TV stand isn’t the most streamlined item if you're tight on space and looking for small living room ideas. Adding extra furniture can make the space seem smaller and more cluttered. So, a TV stand might take up precious floor space if you're adding a TV to a small room.
Depending on whether you're deft with a drill, wall mounting your TV might be the way forward. Check out the pros and cons if you’re trying to decide if you should mount your TV.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adjustability | Fixed position |
| Space saving | Cable management |
| Safer | Professional installation |
| Minimalist look | Future upgrades may require new mounting |
Best for: Larger rooms with a larger TV
There are multiple benefits to wall mounting a large flat-screen TV and keeping it off the ground.
Many wall mounts offer a range of motion, allowing you to adjust the screen to the best viewing angle. Even if it doesn’t have an adjustable arm, you can be strategic about how high you mount your flat-screen TV on the wall, so you’ll get the best angle for viewing once it's in your home.
Provided installation is done correctly, a wall-mounted TV is super secure, elevated, and not at risk of being toppled over by curious kids. It’s recommended that you hire a pro to mount a TV to avoid the risk of it toppling over.
Finally, If you’re going for restrained decor with clean lines, then wall mounting your TV makes sense. They keep things uncluttered and won’t use up floor space when it's at a premium.
Trying to mount an awkward, heavy TV on your wall is nearly impossible on your own—you’ll need assistance for this job. Even with a helping hand, it’s a tricky task.
If you make a mistake, you could end up with unsightly holes in the wall where they shouldn’t be, or worse, the TV could topple off the wall. Hiring a pro to mount your TV on a wall might be the safest bet. Especially in scenarios like mounting a TV to a brick wall, you’ll need to hire a pro with the proper equipment to cut through that material.
In addition to the added installation cost, wall mounts require additional accessories like cable management, sound bars, and shelving to store other entertainment equipment.
While most mounts can tilt to a desired angle, they are still in a fixed position so it’s important to do some planning before installing your mount.
Finally, not all TV mounts are universal. If you upgrade your TV at a later date, double check that your TV mount can support the new size. If not, you’ll need to reinstall.
TV stands and wall mounts have their own pros and cons, but the one that will work best for displaying your TV depends on your main priorities.
Wall mounts offer a timeless, streamlined style that seamlessly integrates the TV into the wall. On the other hand, TV stands can serve as pieces of furniture that add character and cohesion to your space. It really depends on whether you want a minimalist vibe.
In rooms where floor space is at a premium, you’ll want to consider a wall mount. Keep in mind if you have windows, artwork, or other accessories taking up wall space you may need to reconfigure your room to accommodate the new mount.
Wall mounts allow you to adjust the TV angle, but TV stands come in various sizes, materials, colors, and shapes to fit your space and design sensibilities. There are also many options in terms of storage with TV stands, like shelves and drawers.
Simple wall mounts are much more wallet-friendly than TV stands. If budget is your biggest driver, then there’s one clear winner. Basic wall mounts are available for under $50, whereas a rudimentary TV stand will cost at least double that.
Flat-pack TV stands are easier for the average homeowner to assemble than having to secure your screen with a wall mount. If you don’t have a helping hand or aren’t confident about drilling into your wall, you can hire a local TV wall mounting service to do the job for you. Hiring a professional to mount your TV ensures it will be fully secure and neatly attached to the wall. The cost to mount a TV averages around $250.
