Key takeaways
- Choosing a modern tv stand is less about chasing a trendy finish and more about matching console width, depth, height, and storage to your actual TV and room. The best choice leaves a stable footprint for the screen, routes cables…
Choosing a modern tv stand is less about chasing a trendy finish and more about matching console width, depth, height, and storage to your actual TV and room. The best choice leaves a stable footprint for the screen, routes cables cleanly, and fits the wall without crowding walkways or doors.
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By KK Home Furnishings Editorial Team
How to Choose a Modern TV Stand
A good TV console should work as furniture first and styling second. Start with the TV’s actual base or feet, then compare the console’s top width and depth, its finished height, and the space you need for receivers, consoles, soundbars, and ventilation. Published dimensions matter more than a generic screen-size claim.
Width and TV Footprint
Measure the TV’s full width and the distance between its feet before shopping. A console can be rated for a large screen yet still be awkward if the feet sit too close to an edge. IKEA recommends a bench that is a little wider than the television, which is a useful planning rule when the TV will sit directly on top.
The four picks here range from about 70 inches to 79 inches wide, so they suit different wall spans even before screen size enters the decision. A 79-inch media unit creates more visual margin around a large set, while a roughly 70-inch console is easier to place between windows, doors, or built-ins.
If your television is wall mounted, console width becomes more about composition and storage than supporting the screen. Keep the stand centered under the display, verify that doors can open fully, and leave enough side clearance for floor vents or baseboard heaters. Do not assume a diagonal TV size tells you its actual width.
Depth and Room Clearance
Depth controls how far the cabinet projects into the room. These examples sit between about 15.75 and 17 inches deep, a relatively compact range for media furniture. That difference can still matter in a narrow living room because cabinet doors, drawers, foot traffic, and a coffee table all compete for the same floor area.
Check the deepest component you plan to store, not just the shell of a game console. Receiver plugs, HDMI connectors, and power cords need room behind the device, and closed compartments can lose usable depth to back panels. Article publishes 14-inch-deep internal storage on the Ansel, which helps set realistic expectations.
Before ordering, mark the stand’s width and depth on the floor with painter’s tape and walk the normal path through the room. This simple check catches conflicts with door swings and seating that product photos hide. It also shows whether a low-profile TV console will feel balanced or oversized against the wall.
Height and Viewing Balance
Height changes both sightline and visual weight. The IKEA BESTÅ configuration here is only 15.375 inches high, while the Walker Edison Noah reaches 20.25 inches and the Prepac and Article units reach 22 inches. A lower console suits a wall-mounted screen, while a taller one can raise a table-top TV without a separate riser.
There is no universal ideal TV-stand height because sofa seat height, viewing distance, screen size, and mounting position all vary. Use the stand’s published height as an input, then place the screen so the center does not force an upward neck angle from your normal seat. Mocking the screen position with tape is more reliable than guessing.
Also account for anything placed between the TV and viewer. A tall soundbar can block the bottom edge of a screen on short feet, while a center speaker may need an open shelf. Measure those accessories before choosing the console, and treat decorative objects as secondary until the viewing and ventilation clearances are settled.
Storage and Cable Routing
Storage is where modern styling can hide practical differences. Walker Edison’s Noah uses four open cubbies and two adjustable shelves behind doors, Prepac combines three open shelves with three drawers, and Article gives the Ansel three cable-management cutouts with adjustable interior shelving behind soft-close doors.
Open bays make remotes and game systems easy to access, but closed storage hides controllers, cases, and chargers. Devices that run warm still need airflow, so do not pack a closed compartment tightly around a receiver or console. If the rear panel has only small cutouts, route cables first and test the door operation before loading everything.
Think about cable serviceability as well as appearance. Three rear cutouts on the Article Ansel make separate zones easier to manage, while Walker Edison includes cord-management ports for its open and closed sections. The cleanest setup keeps power strips reachable instead of burying them behind a fully loaded cabinet.
Top Picks
These four picks cover four different priorities instead of forcing a single overall winner. Each has current published dimensions, and each uses a different mix of open storage, doors, drawers, or cable routing. The right modern tv stand is the one whose verified size and layout match your TV, components, and room plan.
| Product | Best For | Key Spec | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA BESTÅ TV Bench | Best For Low-Profile Rooms | 70.875 in W, 16.5 in D, 15.375 in H; TV up to 72 in and 66 lb | Floor-standing unit must be fixed to the wall with suitable hardware |
| Walker Edison Noah 70-Inch | Best For 80-Inch TVs | 70 in W, 15.75 in D, 20.25 in H; supports TVs up to 80 in | Published page does not give a comparable top-panel TV-weight limit |
| Prepac Simply Modern 70.25-Inch | Best For Mixed Storage | 70.25 in W, 16 in D, 22 in H; 3 drawers and 3 shelves | Current retailer load figures conflict, so verify the latest manufacturer instructions |
| Article Ansel 79-Inch | Best For Wide Media Walls | 79 in W, 17 in D, 22 in H; 3 cable-management cutouts | No TV-weight limit is published on the current product page |
IKEA BESTÅ TV Bench – Best For Low-Profile Rooms
The IKEA BESTÅ TV bench is the best fit here for a deliberately low setup because the complete configuration measures 70.875 inches wide, 16.5 inches deep, and 15.375 inches high. IKEA says it suits TVs up to 72 inches and caps television weight on the top panel at 66 pounds, which is a firm load limit to check before purchase.
Its storage is more structured than the low profile suggests. The configuration includes three shelves, one drawer, and two door fronts, with published limits of 44 pounds per shelf and 22 pounds for the drawer. That makes it useful when you want hidden storage without turning the media wall into a tall cabinet.
The main caution is installation. IKEA says a floor-standing BESTÅ TV bench must be fixed to the wall, and the correct screws or plugs depend on the wall material. Budget for any wall-specific hardware or help you need. This is a strong choice when a modern tv stand must stay visually quiet under a mounted screen.
Walker Edison Noah 70-Inch – Best For 80-Inch TVs
The 70-inch Walker Edison Noah is the clearest pick for shoppers matching a large screen because the manufacturer states support for TVs up to 80 inches. The cabinet measures 70 inches long, 15.75 inches deep, and 20.25 inches high, giving it more vertical presence than the IKEA while staying relatively shallow.
The layout favors households with several media components. Four open cubbies keep frequently used devices accessible, while two adjustable shelves sit behind hinged doors for items you would rather hide. Cord-management ports are built in, and the cabinet uses MDF, laminate, powder-coated steel, and an angular leg frame.
Walker Edison publishes a TV-size limit but not a comparable top-panel TV-weight figure on the product page, so confirm your television’s actual weight before placing it on the console. Assembly is required, which can add labor cost if you do not build furniture yourself. That caveat matters more than the screen-size label.
Prepac Simply Modern 70.25-Inch – Best For Mixed Storage
Prepac’s Simply Modern 70.25-inch TV Stand is the best mixed-storage option in this group because current retail specifications list three drawers and three shelves. The cabinet measures 70.25 inches wide, 16 inches deep, and 22 inches high, with an assembled weight of about 106.5 pounds.
The combination of open shelves and drawers works well for a living room that mixes streaming boxes with controllers, discs, charging cables, and small accessories. Retail listings also identify cable management, so the stand can keep visible wiring under control without forcing every component behind a closed door.
Published weight-capacity figures differ across current retailers for this exact model, so do not use a reseller number as your only load decision. Check the latest Prepac instructions or product label before setting a heavy TV on top. The five-year limited warranty is a useful ownership detail for a flat-pack cabinet in this tier.
Article Ansel 79-Inch – Best For Wide Media Walls
Article’s Ansel 79-inch Media Unit is the best choice here for a wide media wall because its 79-inch top creates the broadest furniture footprint in this set. It measures 17 inches deep and 22 inches high, while the walnut version weighs 171 pounds, giving it a much heavier physical presence than the other picks.
Its storage is designed around closed organization. Article publishes three cable-management cutouts, one for each compartment, and adjustable shelving and soft-close doors. The left and right spaces are 11.25 inches wide and 14 inches deep, while the center compartment expands to 30 inches wide at the same depth.
The Ansel uses solid walnut, MDF, walnut veneer, and steel, and Article advises keeping wood furniture away from strong heat sources because temperature changes can dry wood and shift joints. It sits in the premium tier, so measure delivery access carefully. Article lists the shipping box at 84 inches on its longest side.
Frequently Asked Questions
TV-stand questions often come down to measurements that product photos cannot answer. Use the cabinet’s published dimensions as the fixed reference, then compare them with your exact TV, speaker, components, and room. The answers below focus on fit and setup rather than assuming one furniture size works for every screen.
What Size TV Stand Should I Buy for My TV?
Choose a stand wide enough for the TV’s actual feet or base, with extra side margin if the screen will sit on top. Screen diagonal alone is not enough because two televisions with the same advertised size can have different cabinet widths and foot spacing. Check the TV manual before treating any console as compatible.
For a large set, manufacturer limits can narrow the field quickly. Walker Edison states that the 70-inch Noah supports TVs up to 80 inches, while IKEA says the BESTÅ configuration here suits TVs up to 72 inches with a 66-pound television limit. Those claims still do not replace checking your specific TV’s feet and weight.
If the screen is wall mounted, you have more freedom because the cabinet is no longer carrying the television. In that case, choose width around the wall composition and the storage you need, but keep the unit centered enough to look intentional. A wider modern tv stand can visually anchor a large screen without raising it.
Should a TV Stand Be Wider Than the TV?
Usually, yes, a stand that is a little wider than the television looks more balanced and gives the feet more margin, but the exact amount depends on the TV base. IKEA explicitly recommends a bench slightly wider than the TV. Use that as a planning preference, not a substitute for measuring the television’s true width.
A wider console also gives you more surface for a soundbar or decor, yet extra width can create problems near door trim, radiators, or built-ins. Measure the usable wall span instead of the wall from corner to corner. If the cabinet barely fits, doors and drawers may still collide with nearby furniture when opened.
For wall-mounted TVs, the stand does not have to extend past the screen on both sides, although many rooms look more settled when it does. Prioritize safe anchoring, clear walking paths, and storage access. If the TV is unusually wide, a 79-inch unit such as the Ansel may create better proportions than a 70-inch console.
Is a Low TV Stand Better Than a Tall One?
Neither is automatically better. A low stand keeps furniture mass below a wall-mounted screen, while a taller console can lift a table-top television closer to a comfortable viewing position. In this comparison, heights run from 15.375 inches on the IKEA configuration to 22 inches on the Prepac and Article units.
Judge height from your normal seating position after accounting for the TV’s own feet and screen height. If you use a soundbar, make sure the screen clears it without improvised spacers. A mockup made with painter’s tape on the wall can show the final screen and console relationship before you commit to furniture.
Low cabinets can also reduce usable storage height, which matters for tall receivers, routers, or game systems. The right modern tv stand balances viewing position with component clearance and ventilation. If a device is too tall for the shelf opening, a few inches of attractive cabinet height will not solve the functional mismatch.
How Do I Hide Cables in a TV Stand?
Use the built-in rear openings first, then separate power and signal cables into serviceable groups rather than tying everything into one bundle. Article gives the Ansel three rear cutouts, one per compartment, and Walker Edison includes cord-management ports. Those features make future device changes much easier.
Place power strips where you can reach the switch and plugs without unloading the cabinet. Leave enough slack for drawers, doors, and adjustable shelves to move without pulling a connector. Avoid crushing cords against a back panel, and keep power adapters away from hot components so ventilation paths remain open.
If the console has no useful opening where you need one, do not drill blindly through a structural panel or near hardware. Check the assembly diagram and manufacturer guidance first. A clean cable plan is part of choosing media furniture because rear access, shelf depth, and compartment layout determine how tidy the setup stays.
Final Thoughts
A modern tv stand works best when its dimensions solve your room before its finish solves your style. The IKEA BESTÅ favors a low profile, Walker Edison Noah supports an 80-inch TV claim, Prepac mixes three drawers with three shelves, and Article Ansel offers 79 inches of width and three cable cutouts. Measure first, then choose.
