Wood TV stands and furniture are popular with many people looking to buy for their homes.
However, TV stands made from wood aren’t the only choice you have when you want to buy some furniture for your home cinema system.
There are a number of styles and types to consider, and until you understand the options that you have, you won’t be in a position to make the right choice for you.
The guide to flat-screen TV stands takes you through the different choices you have.
But in this article, you will learn the pros and cons of stands made from wood.
Introduction to Wooden TV Stands
Wooden stands share many similarities with glass TV stands in terms of function and practicality.
However, wood finishes may be preferable for those who have existing wooden living room furniture or who prefer a more traditional look.
This type of TV stand is available in a wide range of finishes, including beech, cherry, light oak, dark oak, black stained oak, sahara, and wenge wood.
The wooden TV stand market is far more mature than in the past, and there should be a finish to everyone’s taste.
For those who prefer more contemporary TV furniture, some wooden TV stands are also available in high gloss finishes.
The Walker Edison Wren Classic 4 Cubby wood TV console pictured below has open compartments for your equipment and cable management holes at the rear.
Walker Edison Wren Classic 4 Cubby Wood TV Stand
Step up your entertainment game with this timeless wooden TV stand. Designed to support TVs up to 65 lbs and an additional 150 lbs on its top surface, it's the powerhouse you need for your tech. Two adjustable shelves handle 30 lbs each, and four cord management ports keep unsightly cables tucked away.
One area which should be carefully considered and often requires further investigation, particularly when purchasing online, is the quality of the finish.
Some cheap wooden stands are made with cheap melamine or, even worse, oil paper finishes.
There are very few solid wood stands on the market, and the reason for this is the heat given off both audio and video equipment would cause solid wood panels to warp.
Some high-end wooden stands feature metal frameworks to prevent warping, and this could be something to look out for if you have equipment that you know will generate plenty of heat.
Most AV gear will be fine, but a powerful amplifier or AV receiver can really get quite hot.
Some wooden stands use high-quality veneers, which look like solid wood TV stands but will not warp like a solid wood alternative.
Cable Management
Cable management on wooden TV stands is usually superior to glass TV stands as they tend to feature a back panel.
This provides far more space behind the stand to keep cables out of sight.
However, the downside to a back panel is that high-performance audio equipment may become too hot.
If the back panel can be removed, this will easily solve the issue.
But, if the back panel is not removable, then the wood TV stand is not suitable for any kind of audio or video equipment which emits significant heat.
Additionally, a back panel that cannot be removed can make it difficult to install AV equipment, as access to wiring might be significantly restricted.
The Loon Peak Ramapo solid wood TV stand pictured above has rear cut-outs to allow for cable management and easy installation of AV equipment.
It also has some extra open space at the top where equipment can easily be installed without cable problems.
Pros and Cons of Wooden TV Stands
Advantages:
- Tasteful styling
- Wide range of finishes
- Easy-to-use and effective cable management
Disadvantages:
- More expensive than a glass alternative
- Some wooden finishes are of poor quality
- Models with back panels which cannot be removed are annoying
- Do not protect AV equipment like an enclosed TV cabinet
Conclusion
Wooden TV stands are a good choice for many people who are looking to buy furniture for their home cinema equipment.
They can lend a stylish look to any room and fit elegantly into the décor.
However, be careful with cheaper models as they may not be suitable to handle the heat generated by many pieces of home cinema equipment.
About The Author
Paul started the Home Cinema Guide to help less-experienced users get the most out of today's audio-visual technology. He has been a sound, lighting and audio-visual engineer for around 20 years. At home, he has spent more time than is probably healthy installing, configuring, testing, de-rigging, fixing, tweaking, re-installing again (and sometimes using) various pieces of hi-fi and home cinema equipment. You can find out more here.
