Shop 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.

Shop for something that wont consume the allotted space. A cabinet or armoire will be very likely to visually devour the space, particularly in smaller rooms. Darker colours will also be more dramatic so if you decide to go with a darker colour in a smaller space, it is a good idea to choose a smaller piece.

Allow ample space for your electronics. Your DVD player, home theatre system, and video game console need space. Be sure to factor in the length of their cables and the visibility of the infrared receivers for the remotes; if your electronics are shut into a cabinet, their remotes wont function. Also, without proper air circulation, the devices will be likely to overheat. Selecting an armoire or cabinet that was not designed for this use will result in the extra hassle of drilling holes to accommodate cords.

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.)

A wall mount will of course take up a minimum of space and is usually the best option; in most cases, it will be less expensive. Be sure to choose one that is adjustable. This is paramount if the seating area around the TV might be in flux; if you have gatherings and add in a few more chairs at one end, for instance, the TV may need to be adjusted on the fly. With most, this is unlikely, but the TV does need to be positioned initially for optimum visibility. Some LCD TVs in particular suffer from glare issues if hit by direct light so a tiny angle shift can significantly enhance visibility.

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.

And allow room for expansion if you’re thinking of upgrading to a larger TV soon or plan to add more electronics. When in doubt, too much space is almost never too much space. In the world of electronics, less is not more.

Everything they never told you about widescreen television stands, brackets and cabinets revealed! For more insider tips and information be sure and check out www.digitaldirect.co.uk. For your convenience look at these tv stands and lcd mount

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