After buying a new TV, it’s only natural to start thinking about where to place it. Unlike before where TV stands were the only options, modern TV designs and screen technology have made it possible to mount TVs. So it isn’t unusual for new TV owners to deliberate on which of the two options is ideal.
Besides personal preferences in regards to home decor, you should also consider the space of the designated TV area. Mounts work best where space is limited, while TV stands are ideal for storing TV-related accessories.
Looking to learn more about TV mounts and TV stands? Then you couldn’t be in a better place. Read on as we discuss the pros and cons of each method to help you make a choice that suits you best.
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More About TV Stands
Arguably the easiest and most common way to set a TV up. TV stand mounting or table mounting involves placing your TV on a flat, well-spaced surface. TV stands are strategically designed to be of moderate height to raise the TV to a good enough level for easy viewing.
Analog TVs that were hugely popular in the 20th century (and early 21st century) had a large enough base to support the TV’s weight once placed on a stand. Modern TVs come packed with base stands to hold the screens steady and in place.
You’ll find that modern TVs either come with a single stem with a wide base to support the TV or legs on both ends of the bottom for proper balance.
Advantages of a TV Stand
TV Stands Are Perfect for Extra Storage
Most TV stands come with some storage spaces that can be used to place some of your TV or entertainment accessories. While some stands might not come packed with several storage compartments, the flat top surface is usually large enough to fit several accessories.
Therefore, TV stands give you more options in regards to storage. You can easily keep your home clutter-free by placing your media players, gaming consoles, decoder, and other small accessories on your stand. The trick is to choose a large enough stand that can accommodate complementary devices.
TV Stands Are Easy to Move
Do you love changing the appearance of your home? In case you do, then a TV stand might be your best bet. TV stands are usually easy to move, which explains why some stands come with rollers.
The ease of movement allows you to reposition the TV whenever the need arises. And in case you want to spruce up your home and shake things up a little, a TV stand will almost certainly not get in your way.
The good thing with TV stands is that you don’t need to drill on walls to create room for the stand. All you’ll need to do is find a good spot to place the stand, and voila! You’re good to go.
Easy and Safe Access to Cables
It’s normal to swap around devices that are connected to the TV. With a TV stand, you’ll most definitely have better access to cables, especially since most modern stands come with compartments dedicated to cable and cord storage.
TV stands are crucial in keeping cords out of sight, which in turn helps to preserve the aesthetics of your TV area. However, be sure to use the compartments wisely if you want to make the most of your TV stand.
TV Stands Are Easy to Set Up
The good thing with TV stands is that they don’t require professional assistance to set up. Wall mounts might need an installer to ensure the brackets hold the TV securely in place. But with a TV stand, all you’ll need is to set it up in your preferred area and place the TV.
Even better, TV stands give you the creative freedom without overthinking about calling in experts to help you out. The knowledge that you can redesign your interior without needing any expert assistance should be fulfilling.
TV Stands Don’t Damage Walls
Worried about drilling holes in the walls of your rented apartment? Then you should probably consider a TV stand. TV stands give you the peace of mind that you’re not ruining your apartment walls.
Using a TV stand helps you to minimize costs in the long run, especially when moving out. And if you’re a homeowner, you’ll still incur extra costs to fill out the holes that result from wall mounting. The potential wall repair costs aren’t exactly bank breaking, but it is good to keep them in mind anyway.
Disadvantages of TV Stands
TV Stands Are Mean on Space
If you’re working with limited space, then perhaps a TV stand isn’t your best option. While some might argue that some TV stands are small and compact, the fact still remains that you’ll need enough space to place even the tiniest of TV stands.
The whole idea is to have a neat, aesthetically appealing TV area. But achieving a neat appearance might be difficult if your designated TV area is too small to fit your stand.
TV stands might make a tiny room appear clustered and unattractive. And although a small TV stand might help you save on space, it might not be large enough to store other accessories like decoders and consoles, leaving your living room looking clustered and unsightly.
TV Stands Aren’t Child or Pet Safe
Unfortunately, a TV stand isn’t ideal for families with young children or even pets. Remember, the role of a TV stand is to hold the TV in place. But this doesn’t mean that it’ll prevent your TV from tumbling and breaking if exposed to external pressure.
A simple knock on the TV stand might be enough to ruin your TV. So not unless you set house rules for your children and train your pet to stay away from the TV area, it’s best to avoid a TV stand.
TV Stands Require Regular Movement
Having a TV stand might make your life easier in terms of storage and ease of redesigning your home. However, you’ll need to move it regularly, especially when cleaning. The Samsung TV stands allow a larger surface area to clean without moving the TV. But that won’t help you if you buy another TV brand unless of course, they use the same quad-pod design.
Unlike a wall mount that doesn’t interfere with the areas that need regular cleaning, TV stands occupy the floor area and will need to be moved regularly if you’re to keep the TV area hygienic.
If your TV stand doesn’t have rollers, moving it might prove difficult, more so if it has a bulky design.
How to Choose a TV Stand
Consider Viewing Height
Straining to watch an episode of your best show is anything but fun. This is exactly why you need a TV stand of the right height. Therefore, when looking to buy a TV stand, be sure to choose one that is neither too short nor too tall for proper viewing.
And since there is no one size fits all when it comes to TV stands, it’s best to consider the height of your chairs and sofa to determine the perfect sightline. Some modern TV stands come packed with mounts for increased versatility in terms of TV positioning.
Be Cautious of Your TV Dimensions
You might be tempted to choose a compact TV stand to save up on space. However, buying an excessively small TV stand might leave you with no space for storing other accessories. Even worse, a small TV stand increases the chances of falls if you buy a large-sized TV.
The rule of thumb is to buy a large enough stand that will remain with enough space on both sides even after the TV is set up. Placing large TVs on equally large stands is a great way to enhance the safety of your TV and eliminate the chances of the TV falling or slipping off the edges.
Consider the Room Layout
When buying a TV stand, be sure to pick one that matches your interior décor. TV stands can add a lot of value to your living area, especially if you buy one that matches your living room’s color and size.
Therefore, since there is a wide variety of TV stands, don’t be in a rush to bring one home. Consider the color of your furniture and walls to ensure you buy a stand that adds life to your home.
Consider Storage Needs
If your space is small, then buying a TV stand with several storage compartments is recommended. TV stands should help unclutter the TV area, which explains the importance of picking a versatile stand.
So, when choosing a TV stand, be sure to consider your storage needs. Do you need a place to safely (and conveniently) place your decoders, media players, and consoles? If so, then picking a large stand with enough storage spaces is the best option.
Choose the Right Type of Material
TV stands are made from different materials, which vary depending on budget and preferences. You’ll find that most stands are made from wood, glass, particle boards, metal, or even medium-density fiberboards.
For high traffic households, it might be best to try wood and metal stands since they’re more durable and resistant to agents of tear and wear.
Glass TV stands can add a touch of class to your TV area; however, maintaining them might prove challenging if you have kids and pets running around.
More about Wall Mounts
Mounting TVs on walls is a wonderful alternative to using TV stands. Wall mounting has become increasingly popular over the years as TV designs and sizes continue to become sleeker and slimmer.
Modern TVs are slim and lightweight, features that make them perfect for wall mounting. In fact, wall mounting has become increasingly popular to the extent that some TV manufacturers provide free wall-mounting services to their clients.
Advantages of Wall Mounting Your TV
Wall Mounting Helps to Save on Space
Unlike a TV stand that’ll occupy a significant amount of space, wall mounting your TV allows you to conserve space. Wall mounts are especially useful in households with limited spaces.
The good thing with most modern TVs is that they’re slim enough for wall mounting, which eliminates the need of having a TV stand. This gives you more space to play around in regards to interior decoration.
Wall Mounting Holds the TV Safely in Position
Unlike TV stands that don’t hold TVs firmly in position, a wall mount ensures that your TV remains in the same place without the risk of falling.
Therefore, if you have toddlers and pets, then you might want to try out the wall mounting option. Once you mount (correctly) your TV on a wall, you won’t need to worry much about your pet or children damaging it during play.
Wall Mounting Enhances Neatness
While TV stands can help to store small-to-medium-sized accessories, mounting a TV helps to make the TV area neat and clutter-free. You won’t need an extremely bulky stand or storage area to hold the TV in place.
You can also do some fancy cable management tricks, including hiding behind the drywall as well.
And in case you need a place to store your remotes, decoders, and consoles, you can use a small storage box, a table, or even a stool.
Wall Mounting Is Perfect for Household Hygiene
High traffic areas like living rooms require regular cleaning. And with a mounted TV, you can easily clean the floors without needing to move a heavy TV stand.
It’s also easy to monitor cables when you mount your TV on the wall. On most occasions, TV stands keep cables and wires out of sight, which, although safe in the short run, can prove risky if there’s a problem with the wiring.
A Mounted TV is Compatible with Many Contemporary Designs
Although you won’t have much freedom when it comes to moving a mounted TV, you can play around with many designs to achieve a contemporary interior décor. That is, it’s easier to modify the layout of your furniture to suit the placement of the TV.
Mounted TVs give interior decorators more than enough creative freedom. But with a TV stand, your interior décor options will be limited to the color and design of your stand.
Mounted TVs Are Ideal for Optimal Viewing
The beauty of mounting TVs is the freedom you have in choosing the right height for your viewing. All you’ll need to do is sit down and instruct the installers on the best area to position the TV.
But with a TV stand, you might struggle to find the perfect viewing position, especially if you bought it without considering TV dimensions.
Wall Mounting Brackets Are Versatile
There are various types of TV mounts (which we’ll discuss later). These mounts allow you to determine your preferred viewing angles. While some might hold the TV straight in position, others can be adjusted and tilted to match your seated position.
Therefore, with the right type of TV mount, you won’t need to worry much about the viewing position or angle. All you’ll need is to adjust the bracket, and you’re good to go!
Cons of Wall-Mounting a TV
Mounting a TV Might Require Professional Assistance
While DIY enthusiasts might relish the opportunity to mount their TVs, professional assistance might be needed for first-timers. Wall mounting a TV can backfire and damage the TV if not correctly done. This explains why some people might be skeptical about mounting TVs on walls without the help of professionals.
So, if you want to mount your TV on the wall and you’re not confident about your ability, be sure to reach out to an experienced friend to help out. But if you want to be extra confident that your TV will stay safely in position, outsourcing the mounting to an expert is highly advised.
Wall Mounting Makes it Hard to Access Ports Behind the TV
If your TV is mounted too close to the wall, you might experience difficulty accessing ports such as HDMI and USB. This is a common problem that most households face when TVs are mounted on walls.
Besides the difficulty in regards to access, you might also weaken the bracket as you attempt to access the ports, thus increasing the chances of your TV falling in the event of wall vibrations or even aggressive touch.
You’ll Need Extra Space to Store Complementary Accessories
Unlike a TV stand that has storage compartments, you won’t have a natural place to store or place your TV accessories like gaming consoles, decoders, and Blu-ray players. This means you’ll need to use a table, cabinet, or stand to place the accessories close to the TV, thus reducing the space that was to be conserved in the first place.
Wall Mounting Requires Stable Walls
Mounting your TV on an unstable wall is a sure recipe for disaster. Some environments aren’t ideal for wall mounting TVs. For instance, if you live close to a railway station, a construction site, or a factory, you might want to avoid wall mounting your TV.
Although wall vibrations won’t unscrew the TV bracket immediately, the consistent vibrations will gradually weaken the connection, thus increasing the risk of your TV falling (and breaking).
Some Wall Mounts Are Costly
Basic wall mounts won’t cost you much. But in case you want adjustable mounts, then you’ll need to cough up a significant amount of cash, which adds to the total cost of buying a TV and hiring an expert to do the installation.
Concealing Wires Isn’t Straightforward
Unlike TV stands that usually come with compartments for concealing wires safely, wall mounts often leave wires exposed. This might lead to electrician-related costs, especially when looking to install in-wall fire-rated cables.
And although you can hide the wires on your own, the process might take you more time than expected. Therefore, if you choose to use a wall mount for your TV, be prepared to safely hide the wires, especially if you have little children.
Different Types of Wall Mounts
Flat Mount
The flat mount is arguably the most popular wall mount. Some manufacturers even offer the flat mount as part of the sales package. An advantage of this mount is that it occupies little depth and allows the TV to stay close to your wall.
However, when using a flat mount, you won’t have flexibility in terms of viewing angle and positioning. Once your TV is fixed on a flat mount, it will probably remain in the same position until you remove it. But the good thing with this mount is its affordability and ease of installation.
Tilt/ Swivel Mount
Swivel mounts are similar to flat mounts in terms of design. However, the main difference lies in ability since swivel mounts can tilt depending on the user’s preference. Put simply, a tilt or swivel mount allows you to modify the viewing angle, thus giving you more control over where you sit or decide to watch the TV.
While this mount can work properly on large screens, it’s best when used on lightweight and small screens to reduce the pressure on the mount.
Full Motion Mounts
These types of mounts are among the most expensive in the market. They come with loads of flexibility as they can be moved backward or forward or even upwards and downwards, depending on your preferences. The full motion mount is ideal for large spaces and conference rooms, meaning having one in a small room might be a bit too much.
In case you opt for a full motion TV mount, it’s crucial to check on the weight specifications to ensure the bracket can handle your TV’s weight. It’s also vital to get the installation right when dealing with full-motion mounts since incorrect installation might lead to unwanted outcomes.
Factors to Consider When Buying a TV Bracket
Weight Limit of the Mount
The first (and arguably most important) consideration when buying a TV mount is to check on the maximum weight supported. Most high-quality TV brackets usually state the maximum TV weight they can withstand. And if you buy a bracket that has no maximum weight indication, it’s best to ask the retailer before setting up your massive 55-inch TV.
Be extra careful when buying tilt and full motion mounts since they’ll be under constant adjustments. These regular movements and adjustments might weaken the connections and lead to failure if you mount a TV that exceeds the maximum supported weight.
Capabilities of the Mount
Not all wall mounts can perform the same function. Flat mounts are the most basic and affordable mounts and will perform the task of holding your TV in position. But if you want more features, then you might want to try out tilt mounts or full motion mounts.
Budget
Tv mounts that have advanced features like full motion mounts will definitely cost you more. Flat mounts are the cheapest due to their basic features. However, to eliminate the risk of failure, it’s advisable to buy high-quality mounts.
Try as much as possible to check on the quality and durability of complex wall brackets like full-motion mounts. Due to the need for regular adjustments, tilt, and full-motion mounts might disappoint if you purchase cheap and low-quality brands.
TV Stands vs. Wall Mounting: Which Is the Best Option for You
Both TV stands and wall mounts are fantastic options to set up your TV. The best one, however, depends on your personal preferences and home set up.
Generally, it is advisable to mount your TV on the wall if you have pets and young children. This is because TV stands don’t hold the TV firmly in place. A simple tumble, and your TV’s screen will be broken if it landed with a thud.
Mounting is also a great option if you have limited space in your living room or TV area. With TV stands, you won’t have much space to play around with, especially if you choose a bulky stand.
But if you prefer the traditional, cozy appearance, then using a TV stand might suffice. TV stands also give you extra storage space, leaving your sitting room clutter-free. A large enough stand will allow you to place consoles, decoders, and other complementary accessories.
Final Takeaway
Choosing between a TV stand and a wall mount isn’t as easy as most people perceive. The best option should be one that compliments your house or apartment without compromising on aesthetics.
A TV stand comes with several benefits as it is easy to move, especially if you fancy playing around with interior décor. But some stands might be bulky, meaning it’s best to choose stands that come with rollers.
If you opt to place your TV on a wall mount, you should check on the weight specifications to avoid overburdening the mount, more so when dealing with tilt and full-motion mounts.
Another essential factor to consider when dealing with wall mounts is the installation process. Remember, although classy and generous on space, wall mounts usually have little room for error. A simple blunder during installation might leave you counting losses without even putting your new TV to use.
Therefore, if you don’t know a thing or two about installing wall mounts, try outsourcing the task to skilled experts. While it might cost you more to hire professional installers, you’ll rest easy knowing the job was well done and that your TV will remain firmly in position no matter how many times you adjust the angles.
