Can You Place A Bigger TV On A Smaller Stand?

As a homeowner, I know the struggle of finding the perfect spot for a new piece of furniture. When it came to purchasing our new television, I was faced with the challenge of finding a stand to fit our new, bigger-than-expected television.

After some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the problem and other solutions I discovered for those looking to place a bigger TV on a smaller stand.

As long as the TV aligns and fits into the stand mounting holes and is perfectly balanced with even weight distribution, there is no practical reason why a bigger TV cannot fit into a stand generally designed for smaller TVs. There are many gadgets available to get it to work.

Tips:
When purchasing a new TV, take physical measurements to ensure it fits on your stand
TVs come in different shapes, sizes, and technologies and can be placed on furniture or mounted
TV sizes are measured diagonally and not horizontally (length, height, width)
Ensure the TV stand is correctly balanced and can hold the size and weight distribution of the TV
Place the TV in an area with little foot traffic, facing you directly at a comfortable distance, and away from any competing light sources
Always ensure safety for you and your TV.

Table of Contents

TV Shapes And Sizes, Then And Now

Back in the day when our old CRT TVs occupied half the living room, requiring a solid TV cabinet or wall unit to park it on, TV sizes were standard, choice limited and based on the decade in which you purchased the TV. Standard sizes ranged from around 20 inches in the 1930s to 43 inches by the late 1980s.

With the advent of flat screen LCD, Plasma, and the various LED TVs available today, you are far more spoilt for choice.

There are some interesting sizes, styles, and technologies on the market today, including flat and curved screens with sizes ranging from 32 inches to 85 inches.

Not only are TVs available in different styles, types, and sizes, but they can also be placed on furniture or a stand, or they can be wall mounted either flush against the wall or attached to a swing arm which allows the TV to be placed in a corner and moved to point in a specific direction.

Your New TV, How Big Is It?

TVs are not advertised using a horizontal (length, height, width) measurement. They use a diagonal measurement of the screen size, such as 32″, 43″, or 55″, for example.

This would be the distance of the viewable screen between the bottom left and the top right corners.

The bezel found around the screen’s perimeter is typically very narrow and not included in the distance calculation. This can make it confusing when deciding on how to mount or place the TV in the room you wish to place the TV.

To figure out the actual space your TV is going to occupy, you have to measure it horizontally and vertically using a tape measure or a measuring tool of some sort. Measure the full width and height of the unboxed TV.

Another way to determine the correct TV size is by calling the agent or distributor, looking up the product details on the manufacturer’s website, or checking in-store with the retailer selling the product.

Attaching The TV Stand

Attaching the correct stand to your TV is not just a matter of aesthetics. It could also spell disaster if your TV should fall. Your TV will almost certainly break and become unusable. It could also potentially pose a serious safety risk.

Once you have unpacked the TV and determined its physical dimensions, screw in the legs that the TV rests on to determine if your measurements are still accurate and applicable, these TV legs will come with the TV packaging and should include the basic installation guide.

If you have decided to place the TV on a dresser or TV console, ensure the stand is deep and wide enough to fit the TV comfortably. Using a dresser or console at least a few inches longer than the fully assembled TV is best.

You may wish, for whatever reason, to place the TV on a piece of furniture that’s smaller than the TV legs can accommodate. In this case, you will need to adapt the TV’s physical characteristics to suit the stand you have available.

All modern TVs come with the wall-mounted option, as previously stated. This will typically include four mounting holes in the center and at the back of the TV. Whether you are wall mounting the TV or using the countertop option, the same principle applies to bracket installation.

You should also find the correct screws and the Allen wrench in the TV’s packaging. If not, you may need to head out to the hardware store to get those. Speak to the shop assistant if you need guidance.

It is critically important that the stand can withhold the size and weight distribution of the TV. Universal stands will come with a bracket that needs to be attached to the back of the TV. Line up the back support bracket to the correct mounting point for the TV. This position is adjustable.

Place the TV on the stand and position the bracket in the center of the TV. Screw in the security brackets and ensure they are as far apart as possible to ensure the optimal weight distribution and balance for the TV once it is placed on the furniture piece. This will ensure that your TV can’t fall off the stand.

Placement Of Your TV In Room

Once you have decided on the TV furniture and mounted the stand, it’s important to place the TV in a position where it is safe from being knocked over or damaged. You must also allow enough space between the TV and the viewer to ensure comfortable viewing.

The TV should always be placed in an area with little or no foot traffic to prevent accidental contact with the TV, especially if that space is too tight for the size of the TV. A corner or wall recess will usually do.

The TV should face you directly and at a distance that causes minimal eye strain. For example, experts recommend a distance of 5.9 feet for a 42” up to 10.5 feet for a 75” TV. Of course, this would also depend on personal preferences and quality of vision.

It’s also important to consider the light sources in the room. Light sources behind the TV will compete with the picture quality, and light behind the viewer will likely reflect off the TV screen. The best position is perpendicular to windows with lamps or lights above or on either side of the TV.

Conclusion

Most TV stands on the market are adjustable and cater to a range of TV makes models and sizes. Check with the manufacturer’s specifications or enquire in-store when purchasing a stand. Remember that the number one rule is safety for you and your precious TV set.

References

https://www.quora.com/Can-you-put-a-bigger-TV-on-a-smaller-stand