Buying Brackets, Stands or Brackets for LCD and Plasma TVs

Shop for a sturdy cabinet. Dovetail joints are a good sign; inspect for other signs of quality worksmanship. If shopping in a store, give the stand/cabinet a nudge and see what happens. If youre shopping online, sift through reviews and watch for complaints as to lack of sturdiness.

For interior design, the general rule of thumb is to stick to a minimum of materials, which should match. If the room contains a number of wood pieces, it is advisable to buy another wood piece. Glass and steel are complementary so if you have one, you can add the other. It is important to match the colors; stick with mahogany if you started with it and don’t mix steel with brass.

As cabinets have grown to accommodate larger televisions, space diminishes. Shop for one that will keep an “open” feel to the space. An armoire or cabinet will visually eat a lot more space than a table. Color is also important: dark will be more dramatic (particularly if the piece is large) so lighter is preferable.

Dont forget to consider your electronics when determining your space needs. Theyll 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 youll be able utilize the remotes.

Width can also be important. With todays skinny lightweight tvs, only a minimum of surface width is necessary. A skinny tv may appear to swim on a large stand and itll increase floor real estate to think thin while shopping.

A swivel stand can dramatically enhance the televisions visibility, particularly with an LCD which may be prone to glare issues if placed in line with light, particularly sunlight. A swivel stand is a particularly valuable investment if the seating area is prone to rearrangement. With a larger family in particular, whether the tv is watched by just one or shared by many may change which direction it should face.

Wall mounts can dramatically increase usable space; be sure to purchase one that is adjustable, particularly if guest placement around the tv shifts often. Select one that is easy to adjust and does not require tools; if you need to adjust it often, youll want the process to be user friendly. Also, LCDs are particularly prone to glare issues so unless the room has indirect lighting and no window nearby, an adjustable mount can be necessary to tilt the television away from glare.

Remember that a wall mount is useless unless the wall can safely support the weight. If youre not sure whether the wall is sturdy enough for this task, it is not worth the safety risk, for the welfare of your family as well as your television! Many stores offer wall mount services so this may be the route to go.

Think of all the tv components youve added in the last few years youll undoubtedly add more in the next few years. Factor this into your purchase decision. Dont buy just enough space; allow room for expansion.