Break out the Popcorn! It’s showtime!

Remember when TVs were so bulky and heavy? Most of us just shoved them into a corner or tried to find armoires with doors to enclose them.

Today’s high resolution, flat screens are extremely popular because of their great value, crisp images, and sound quality. Smartly designed, space-saving features are the big appeal. The lines are clean and the profile so slim, that it is not intrusive.

Electronics have come a long way over the years and so have the furniture to house them. Now that most TVs are a mere 4″ thick and much wider, the challenge becomes how to integrate your electronics with your furniture. Here are a few things to consider when choosing new furniture for your new television.

Size up the scale of your room

One important thing to consider besides the size of your console or wall unit is the viewing distance. The suggested viewing distance is to sit no more than twice the diagonal screen size. For example, a 40″ screen means you should be sitting 80″ (approx 6 1/2 feet) away. Keep in mind, this is just a suggestion, not a rule. For some brands, you can sit 1.2 times the diagonal screen size distance away.

Windward Entertainment Center by Hooker Furniture

What’s the angle?

Also, you’ll want to consider the angle of the TV. The ideal viewing height is aligned with your vision when you’re in your favorite spot. If your screen is large, you have the option of selecting a low profile console and still view the screen without compromise. If your screen is small, choose furniture that will display your TV at the proper height such as a hutch or vertical wall unit.

Pisa Entertainment Center by Alf Uno Spa

Think storage!

Choose a TV console or wall unit that will encompass all of your family’s electronics. It should provide much needed storage for your components, cable box, and DVR. Proper space will help you declutter your gamer’s accessories as well as keep your movie collection organized.

Consoles tend to be shallow, so make sure the shelves are deep enough to house your components. A wall unit can also give you some display area plus valuable closed storage for unsightly cables and gaming devices.

Mesa TV Console by Somerton

HomeWorld has a wide selection of TV consoles and wall units that will work in your room and give you all the necessary storage for your families entertainment needs. Dim the lights! Break out the popcorn! It’s showtime!

Contributed by Christine Bongiorno-Grabau, Home Furnishing Consultant at HomeWorld Furniture Honolulu