Buying Brackets, Stands or Brackets for LCD and Plasma TVs
Monday, June 27th, 2011Shop for a sturdy cabinet. Dovetail joints are a good sign; inspect for other signs of quality workmanship. If shopping in a store, give the stand/cabinet a nudge and see what happens. If you’re shopping online, sift through reviews and watch for complaints as to lack of sturdiness.
The interior design rule is that the materials in a room should match. If you started with oak, stick with oak; if you started with steel, stick with steel. Colour tones are important also. Different types of wood or metals are acceptable if they’re painted or stained the same colour.
Don’t let a piece consume the room. Cabinets or armoires, particularly in darker or more dramatic colours, are not suitable for a smaller room and will throw off the visual balance. Choose something in proportion with the other items in the room.
Don’t forget to consider your electronics when determining your space needs. They’ll need sufficient surface area and air circulation around them to prevent overheating; never stack them. If you select a cabinet or armoire that is not designed to hold electronics, you may need to drill holes to accommodate your cords and cables and increase circulation of air. Also factor in cable length; this will keep your electronics on a short leash from your TV. Limiting your cables to the necessary length will help retain optimum output quality. Your electronics remote receivers also need to be visible (not shut in a cabinet) so that you’ll be able utilize the remotes.
Think thin. The days of the console television are over and your TV requires only the narrowest of surfaces. The skinnier the stand, the more room real estate you’ll reclaim.
A swivel stand will be a valuable investment whether you decide on a stand or a cabinet. Some stands designed for a cabinet will pull forward as well as swivel, which will make the TV seem larger. (If your seating area is already fairly close to the TV, save the money and skip this feature.)
To best utilize the space, a wall mount is the best option and is usually less expensive. As with a swivel stand, an adjustable mount is crucial if the needs of the seating area change or there are potential lighting issues.
Be sure the designated wall will support the wall mount. Knock to check where studs are and if you’re uncertain that the wall can withstand the weight, it’s probably not worth risking. (Ceiling mounts are also available.) If you have not yet purchased the TV, you can opt to purchase one from a store that offers installation, and leave it to the professionals.
Think of all the TV components you’ve added in the last few years you’ll undoubtedly add more in the next few years. Factor this into your purchase decision. Don’t buy just enough space; allow room for expansion.
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