A guide to choosing the right TV cabinet

For many families, the TV cabinet houses all of the essential items in the living room or family room of the home. Families often gather in front of the TV for movie night or to watch their favourite programs together on a regular basis.

Selecting the right TV cabinet will ensure that your TV viewing experience is comfortable and that you also have adequate storage for all your TV room accessories. Here are a few tips to ensure that you select the right TV cabinet for you and your home.

What are TV cabinets?

TV cabinets are the large pieces of furniture that are used to hold the TV and related accessories. TV units may include cabinets, drawers and shelves for the TV signal box, gaming accessories and other items that are important.

TV cabinets come in varying sizes and are made from a variety of materials in order to match any décor scheme. TV cabinets are generally very large in size and aren’t really recommended for small rooms as the size may take over the space.

Flat screen TVs

These days, TV cabinet designs have been adjusted in order to allow you to mount your TV. If you prefer to still have a TV cabinet that encases the TV, opt for a TV cabinet that features flat screen panel mounts.

Measuring your space

Before you purchase a TV cabinet, you should get a general idea of how much space is available for your TV. If the size of your TV is based on a diagonal measurement, you should take the measurement of your TV from corner to corner to determine what size cabinet you require. You should also make sure that you measure the depth of the TV to ensure that it fits on the mounts in the TV cabinet.

Next, you will need to measure the room to determine how much floor space you have available to store your TV cabinet. To ensure that your TV viewing experience is enjoyable, make sure that you allow enough space between the corners of the room and the TV cabinet. Ideally the TV cabinet should be placed in the centre of the wall with ample space on either side. You should also measure the height of your furniture to ensure that the TV cabinet will place the TV at an comfortable viewing height that won’t cause you to strain your neck to watch TV from your couch or armchair.

Materials

TV cabinets are made from many different materials, including wood and metal. When you select a TV cabinet, you should select one that is made from a material that matches the rest of the décor in your room. If the other furniture in your room is made from metal, opt for this material. If the décor features hardwoods, then a TV cabinet made from a matching hardwood is a good choice. Ideally the TV cabinet should blend in with the room. Don’t go for too bold options when you select a TV cabinet unless you want it to stand out.

Selecting a structurally sound TV cabinet

When you select a TV cabinet for your home, it should be able to carry the weight of the TV, as well as, the other items that you plan to store. You should select a TV cabinet that is durable and utilises reliable construction to ensure that it is structurally sound and won’t collapse under the weight of the contents. In addition, you should expect to spend at least a fair amount on a TV cabinet. Cheap TV cabinets generally do not provide the support that is needed to house your electronics.

For more furniture buying tips and decorating advice take a look at our guide to buying the right couch, smart tips for buying patio furniture that’ll last and our top picks from the IKEA catalogue.