How to Choose the Right TV Stand for Your Living Room

A living room revolves around two things: where you sit and what you look at. The TV stand connects those elements and sets the tone for the whole space. Get it right, and everything feels calm and considered. Get it wrong, and you'll be forever shuffling remotes, hiding cables, and battling screen glare.

In New Zealand homes, TV stands need to work harder. Open-plan layouts mean your entertainment area is visible from the kitchen. Sun streams through large windows. Kids and pets move freely. Your stand needs to balance storage, cable management, and durability while fitting the relaxed aesthetic many Kiwi homes favour. This guide walks you through the practical decisions that matter.
Start with your room, not just your TV

Measure your wall space first. Note the wall length, walkway clearance, heater placement, windows, and power outlets. If your living room flows into the kitchen or dining area, you need a clear pathway between zones. A comfortable walking lane in New Zealand homes is 800 to 1,000 mm, though tight apartments can work at 700 mm.

Use painter's tape to mark where the stand will sit. Then sit in your usual spot with the TV on. Does the taped area feel centred to your seating, or is it pushed to one side? Adjust now before you commit to a purchase.

Corner placement changes the equation. You'll need to think about door swing and cable access in tighter spaces. A corner stand can reclaim valuable room if you're short on wall length, but measure the diagonal footprint carefully.

Width matters more than you think

Your TV stand should be wider than your television. This frames the screen, improves stability, and gives you surface space for a soundbar, plants, or decorative pieces. As a practical rule, aim for a stand that's at least 100 to 200 mm wider than your TV's total width.

Seating distance influences viewing comfort too. With 4K screens now standard, a good guideline is roughly 1.2 to 1.6 times the screen diagonal. Here's a quick reference:

 These figures work for most lounge setups. If your sofa sits further back, consider moving the seating forward slightly or sizing up the screen rather than oversizing the stand.
Getting the height right

The middle of your screen should sit close to your seated eye line. For most sofas, that's roughly 950 to 1,100 mm from the floor. Too high and you'll strain your neck. Too low and you'll slouch forward.

Here's a simple way to estimate the ideal stand height:

1. Measure your eye height when seated (usually around 1,000 mm)
2. Halve the screen height of your TV
3. Subtract that half-height from your eye height

Example: A 65-inch TV has a screen height of about 810 mm. Half is roughly 405 mm. If your eye height is 1,000 mm, a stand that places the TV base around 600 mm high will feel comfortable. Most lowline TV stands between 450 and 600 mm hit this sweet spot for modern seating.

If you use a centre speaker or tall soundbar, factor in the added height so it doesn't push the TV too high. Some stands offer adjustable feet to fine-tune this without compromising stability.
Storage and cable management you'll actually use

A good TV stand does more than hold your screen. It manages airflow, hides clutter, keeps devices accessible, and protects your equipment.

Ventilation: Electronics generate heat, especially AV receivers and gaming consoles. Look for rear cutouts, louvred doors, or breathable panels that won't block cooling fans.

Cable management: Generous pass-throughs and a tidy cable channel keep power and HDMI leads organized. A rear gap of 50 to 70 mm makes setup and future changes much easier.

Door materials: If you prefer a clean front, choose doors with acoustic mesh or IR-friendly panels so remotes still work and speakers can breathe.

Weight capacity: Check the static load rating and individual shelf limits. Large OLED TVs and centre speakers can be heavier than you expect.

Soundbar clearance: Measure your soundbar height against the TV's lower bezel. Make sure the bar doesn't block the screen or the TV's IR receiver.
Materials that suit New Zealand conditions

New Zealand light can be intense. Coastal air carries salt. Floors are often timber or tiled. Your TV stand needs to handle everyday life and still look good after a few years.

Solid timber brings warmth and character. Engineered boards offer stability and better value. High-quality veneers hold colour better than softwoods and resist seasonal movement. Powder-coated steel frames add structure without visual bulk. Tempered glass shelves work well for set-top boxes but check that fingerprints wipe away easily.

For indoor air quality, look for low-emission boards. E0 or E1 ratings for formaldehyde matter if you're sensitive to off-gassing. Durable topcoats resist UV fade, which is important in sunny rooms. Soft-close hardware is worth the extra cost for quiet evenings and homes with young children.

Solid choices include:

●       Solid oak or ash with clear lacquer

●       Real timber veneer over plywood

●       Powder-coated steel legs or frames

●       Tempered glass shelves for components

Match your finish to what's already in the room. Warm-toned floors pair well with walnut or mid-oak. Pale walls and coastal palettes suit ash with a matte finish. Matte black fronts can anchor a large TV in bright spaces where reflections distract.
Styles that fit Kiwi homes

New Zealand homes tend to favour simple lines and honest materials. Four popular TV stand styles work particularly well here:

Scandinavian-inspired: Clean planes, timber, and thoughtful storage. Legs lift the unit for a lighter feel and easier cleaning.

Mid-century modern: Lower profiles with framed doors and repeating timber grain. A natural match for walnut or darker oak, especially in new builds that need character.

Contemporary minimal: Flat fronts, handleless doors, and hidden cable tracks. Ideal for open-plan spaces where the TV wall is visible from multiple angles.

Coastal relaxed: Textured timber, lighter stains, and airy details. Perfect for homes with bifold doors to the deck or beach houses where sand occasionally finds its way inside.
Types of TV stands for different layouts

Lowline cabinets are the most versatile. They keep sightlines open, provide drawers and shelves, and suit larger screens without dominating the room. If your living room has a window view, a lowline unit protects that view while offering plenty of storage.

Corner stands make excellent use of compact rooms. They align with angled walls and can reduce glare from windows. Pay attention to door swing and cable access since corners can be tight to work in.

Floating units create a modern look and free up floor space for robot vacuums or storage baskets. They require secure fixing into timber studs and careful planning for cables. Consider running power and data cables inside the wall to keep the front clean.

Modular systems let you expand over time. Start with a central cabinet and add side units or towers when your storage needs grow. This approach works well if you're planning to move or renovate and want to build a matched set gradually.
Sound equipment considerations

Soundbars are common in New Zealand homes because they deliver good audio without taking up much space. Check the depth of your stand so the soundbar sits flush without jutting over the edge. If you use a centre speaker, ensure the shelf is high enough and the door material won't muffle dialogue.

For setups with multiple components, measure properly. Many AV receivers need at least 430 mm of depth plus space behind for cables. Gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 are tall and run hot. Give them at least 100 mm of free space above and behind for airflow, and keep them off carpeted floors where dust accumulates.

Some TV stands now include integrated power outlets and USB ports. If this feature appeals to you, check that outlets are surge-protected and positioned where you'll actually use them.
Safety in a quake-prone country

Anti-tip protection isn't optional. Use proper TV straps or a safety kit that fixes into timber studs, not just plasterboard. If you have young children, choose a stand with a wide footprint, a low centre of gravity, and soft-close doors that won't slam on fingers.

Keep cable loops short so they don't snag little feet or curious pets. Felt pads under the stand's legs protect timber floors and let you slide the unit forward for cleaning without dragging and scratching.
Creating visual balance

A TV wall can look flat if the stand is too small or the wall above is bare. Aim for a stand that spans between two-thirds and the full width of your wall. If you're centring the setup on a rug, align the stand and sofa on the same axis so everything reads as one cohesive space.

Add vertical balance with artwork, acoustic panels, or a simple floating shelf. Keep tall decorative items to the outer edges so the screen remains the focal point. Plants soften hard edges and can reduce glare on glossy surfaces. A small table lamp to one side or bias lighting behind the TV reduces eye strain during evening viewing.
Practical details that improve daily life

A few small additions make living with your TV stand much easier:

●       Glass-protecting mats under soundbar feet prevent scratches

●       Cable labels save confusion when you need to swap devices

●       A compact power board with surge protection tucked behind the unit protects your equipment

●       Adjustable feet help level the cabinet on older floors where surfaces aren't perfectly flat

If your room gets low-angle sun that hits the TV screen, consider a stand design that allows a slight angle shift to reduce glare.

What to look for when shopping

When you're ready to buy, use this checklist to focus on features that matter:

●       Stand width at least 100 to 200 mm wider than your TV

●       Height that places the screen centre at seated eye level

●       Rear cable cutouts and a 50 to 70 mm back gap

●       Ventilation for electronics

●       Weight capacity rated for your equipment

●       Durable materials suited to New Zealand conditions

●       Soft-close hardware if you have children

●       Clear assembly instructions and solid fixings

●       Realistic warranty coverage

Test stands in person when possible. Bring your TV model number, photos of your living room, and your measurements. Check that doors open smoothly, shelves feel sturdy, and the overall build quality matches the price point.
Bringing it together

Start with the fundamentals: measure the wall, map the walkways, match the width to your TV. Set the height so the screen meets your eyes comfortably. Prioritize ventilation, tidy cables, and weight ratings that fit your gear. Choose materials that suit our climate and your aesthetic. Anchor everything properly. Then add the finishing touches. A plant that catches afternoon light. A framed print that picks up the timber tone. A soundbar that sounds substantial but looks discreet. Keep the surface clear so your eyes rest on the picture, not on clutter.

Ready to find your TV stand? Profurniture offers a range of TV stands and entertainment units designed for New Zealand homes, with clear specifications, durable construction, and helpful local support. Browse our collection online or visit our showroom with your measurements and TV model—we'll help you choose a stand that works from day one. A well-chosen TV stand becomes the foundation of your living room. It's worth taking the time to get it right.