TV Unit Buyer’s Guide: 6 Essential Factors to Consider

Whether we want to admit it or not, televisions are still a main feature in all of your homes. When it comes to displaying our TV and creating entertainment setups, a TV unit is a must. This essential piece of furniture allows us to have a better viewing experience and improve the style of the overall space. For example, a Hamptons style TV unit can elevate your interior design.

The same can be said for a French provincial TV unit, a coastal TV unit, and more. But how can you make sure you choose the right TV unit for your needs? Well, that’s what this buying guide is for. Today, we will discuss the 6 essential factors that will lead you to the perfect TV unit for your home.

TV Unit Buying Guide: 6 Essential Factors

 

1. Television Size

The first step in the process of buying the perfect TV unit is measuring your television. You need to know the exact size of it so you can find a unit that’s not too big or small for it. So, grab your measuring tape and take note of the height, width, and depth of your television.

It’s also important to know how much your television weighs because the TV unit you get should be able to support it. Plus, it should be able to support anything else you place on top of it either as decor or as part of your entertainment center. Once you have all this information, you can start browsing for TV units.

 

1. TV Unit Height

One of the most important factors when choosing a TV unit is the height. Ideally, your television should be placed at eye level. This offers the best and most comfortable viewing experience. So, you need to make sure you get the right height. To do that, you have to consider your own height. When sitting down, we’re roughly half of our standing height.

Take note of your height sitting down, as well as the height of everyone else you’re sharing the television with. If you have a big family, you’ll have to calculate an average height. Once you have the sitting height, you need to subtract half of your television’s height. For example, if you’re 3.5 inches tall sitting down and your television is 42 inches tall, the math would be 3.5 – 21 = -17.5. In this case, 17.5 inches is the ideal TV unit height.

2. TV Unit Width

Choosing the width of your TV unit is also a key step. It’s very important to keep in mind that any overhang should be avoided. This is when your TV is wider than the unit, which looks off and it’s also a safety risk. Especially if you have children and pets at home who love running around.

With this in mind, you can either choose a TV unit that’s exactly the size of your television or go for a longer unit. If you go for a wider/longer unit, you’ll have some space to play with. So you’ll be able to add decor pieces or technology that complements your television. Such as video game consoles, surround sound systems, DVD or Blu-Ray players, etc.

To help you out even further, here’s the ideal TV unit size depending on TV size:

 

TV Size	TV Unit Size
32 inches	32 to 38 inches
40 inches	40 to 48 inches
43 inches	43 to 49 inches
50 inches	50 to 55 inches
55 inches	55 to 60 inches
65 inches	65 to 70 inches
75 inches	75 to 80 inches
80 inches	80 to 85 inches

 

3. Viewing Distance

The distance between your couch and your television is another important factor to consider. This can affect your viewing experience, so you need to get this right as well. Take the size of your TV screen and multiply it by 1.2. For example, if you have a 50-inch television, you should be sitting 60 inches away from it. Here’s another table to help you find the ideal distance more quickly:

 

TV Size	Viewing Distance
32 inches	38.4 inches
40 inches	48 inches
43 inches	51.6 inches
50 inches	60 inches
55 inches	66 inches
65 inches	78 inches
75 inches	90 inches
80 inches	96 inches

 

4. TV Unit Material

Of course, the material of your TV unit is another essential factor. You want this piece of furniture to complement your home decor style while still being durable and sturdy. The easiest way to choose a material is to consider the material of your existing furniture.

For example, if you have a lot of oak furniture, an oak TV unit will fit right in. If you have a lot of timber, a timber TV unit will be the easiest option. If you want your entertainment center to have its own style, you can choose from a variety of other options. Including wood, metal, glass, stone, and medium-density fiberboard or MDF.

5. TV Unit Style and Design

Last but not least, you need your TV unit to look amazing and fit right into your home decor. Now, there are many different styles to choose from. A coastal TV unit is perfect if you want to create a relaxed vibe with a beachy feel. In that case, rattan is the go-to material.

A Hamptons TV unit can also be a great option if you want to go for beachy but sophisticated. Rattan, wicker, and even metal TV units can work for this style. On the other hand, a French provincial TV unit is perfect if you want a more rustic style. They’re available in materials like wood, metal, wicker, and more, and they can incorporate leather, glass, and stone. Follow your own style and see where it leads you!

 

Final Words

If you need even more inspiration, browse our shop to find the perfect TV unit for your style. Whether that’s Hamptons, coastal, French provincial, traditional, contemporary, or more, we offer high-quality options to suit anyone’s vision.