Today's LCD and plasma televisions are as renowned for their fashionable looks as for their high-definition images, ability to render crisp colors, and crystal clear picture quality. A new television set, with its sleek lines and perfect contours, instantly becomes the focal point of the living room or family room, and often produces the same effect as a beautiful piece of art. As such, the manner in which you display or present your television is a critical point that could make or break the whole decorating scheme, and therefore deserves careful consideration.
The most common display options available to you are television stands and flat screen TV mounts. Each option provides different benefits, has different drawbacks, and yields a different look. Whether you ultimately go with a stand or a mount depends on how the display method fits your needs in the following areas.
Speaker Stand Mounts
Installation process
Folks who relish the opportunity to tackle new DIY projects will likely enjoy installing flat screen TV mounts on the wall. The process isn't difficult, but it does require manual dexterity and a basic comfort level with hand tools. In some cases, you might also have to cut through your drywall to create a channel for hiding the wires that would otherwise just dangle from the bottom of the TV, so that's another point to consider when buying a mount.
If you would rather not mess with your walls, then television stands are the way to go. There might be some assembly required, but it would only take a screwdriver and 15 minutes to get the stand ready for duty.
Available floor space
Flat screen TV mounts are a terrific solution for smaller rooms because you can get the unit off the floor and out of the way. This opens up the room, leaving you with more space for furniture, potted plants, or other items. Television stands, by contrast, can be quite large and might make an already small room feel even more close and cramped.
If you have a spacious living room, then clutter is probably not an issue you have to contend with. You can therefore make your decision based on other factors, such as whether you prefer the chic look of a wall-mounted unit or the classic style of a stand.
Additional storage
Do you have lots of electronic components that you want to connect to your TV? Subwoofers, DVD players, and game systems like Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 must all be kept within reach. Television stands often come with ample storage capabilities built right into the unit, but this is not the case for flat screen TV mounts. If you have your heart set on a wall mount, then you'll have to make other accommodations for your accessories. Many people choose to install additional shelving under the wall-mounted set, which is an effective alternative despite the extra work involved.
Lease terms
Homeowners can do whatever they want within their dwelling, so this issue applies to renters only. Some rental agreements stipulate that tenants cannot mount televisions on a shared wall between two units due to potential problems with excess noise. This means you have to be very careful about where you install flat screen TV mounts in your apartment. Furthermore, your lease terms might prevent you from mounting extra storage shelves under the set or cutting into the drywall to hide your wires and cables. To avoid putting your security deposit in jeopardy, sticking to television stands might be a wiser move.
Adjustability
There may be occasions-such as when ambient lighting issues result in glare-that you'll need to adjust the screen on your television in order to get a better view. For this reason, some people choose to buy television stands with casters for easy mobility, or tilting flat screen TV mounts that allow them to quickly adjust the viewing angle. If you opt for a very large and heavy stand or a fixed mount for the wall, just be aware that you'll lose out on this kind of adjustability.
Clarifying your specific needs relative to each of the above issues will help you determine whether to buy a stand or a mount to display your new television set. Once you decide which style would work best in your home, you can begin shopping for a suitable product from a local store or reputable online retailer.