When it comes to your living room or den, you don’t have to choose between cozy comfort and multi-tasking functionality. It’s easy to add both with homey, multi-functional furniture pieces like fireplace TV stands.
A fireplace TV stand solves two problems. On one hand, it provides storage and a display place for your TV. On the other, it adds a warm ambiance to your room—both literally and figuratively. This fireplace TV stand buying guide will walk you through the steps of choosing the right fireplace TV stand for your space, so you can enjoy the cozy comfort it has to offer.
What is a fireplace TV stand?
Fireplace TV stands are a very specific, blended type of furniture. They feature a TV stand with an electric fireplace insert, and they’re designed with features like display shelving and cable management (or surfaces to hide cables behind). They’re a practical furniture piece that just makes sense, and it’s easy to see why their popularity is growing.
What are the benefits of a fireplace TV stand?
This post wouldn’t be a proper fireplace TV stand buying guide without talking about one big thing: the benefits of stands like these. They offer a space-saving solution that combine a TV stand, a storage unit, and a heating solution in one single footprint. They take up the same amount of space as any other TV stand, saving you the square footage of a freestanding electric fireplace and a bookshelf.
There are a lot of great reasons to use a product like this one, from elevating your living room décor with a stylish focal point to saving on your monthly heating bill. Fireplace TV stands feature a built-in electric fireplace, which makes them a great option for cost-conscious heating and ambiance. Unlike a wood-burning fireplace, they’re very safe to use with no impact on the air quality in your home. They can be used with or without heat, and are a great way to make the most out of zone heating as a supplement for your home’s central heating system. There are a lot of excellent reasons to add an electric fireplace to your home—here are 10 reasons to go electric with your fireplace if you’re still not convinced!
How to choose the right size of stand
When you’re sizing for a dual-purpose product like this one, it’s important to size for both of its uses.
1. First, figure out how large your TV stand needs to be
Use the width of your TV (not its diagonal measurement) to find the ideal width range for its stand. Make sure you’re not using the diagonal measurement from the product’s description. A 65″ TV like this one, for instance, measures 65″ diagonally, but its width is 56.85″.
Then, use your TV’s width to estimate the width of your TV stand. Your stand should always be wider than your TV stand, but the amount is up to personal preference. Start with a minimum of 2″ on each side for visual balance. You can add even more space if you plan to set your TV up with décor behind it. For the same 65″ television with its 56.85″ width, your stand should be 61″ to 71″ wide.
2. Next, consider your TV viewing height
The ideal height for a TV to be viewed at is at or just below eye level. This gives you the best view of your television screen without eye or neck strain. It allows for comfy viewing, even for longer spans of time during movies, binge-watching sessions, or sports games.
Base your TV stand’s height off of the approximate eye level of your room. If your TV will be set up is in front of a tall, firm couch, opt for a taller fireplace TV stand. If it’ll be set up in front of a low, squishy couch, choose something shorter. Pairing your TV stand’s height with the rest of your living room furniture will not only create a more comfortable viewing experience, but it’ll deliver a more cohesive room aesthetic, too.
3. Finally, check your fireplace’s specs
The electric fireplaces built into fireplace TV stands vary in size, intensity, and settings. It’s important to make sure that they’re the right fit for your room, too. Fireplaces that are too small may not be able to provide the amount of warmth that you’re seeking out of a fireplace TV stand. Similarly, fireplaces that are too large (without the option to turn the fireplace heating down or off) may be uncomfortable to sit in front of in small rooms.
Style & design options for every lifestyle
As anyone with a flair for interior decorating knows, there’s more than one way to create a warm, welcoming home. Fireplace TV stands are offered in many different design styles. Their wide variety makes it easy to find one for any home style, from worn and rustic to modern and sleek. The best fireplace TV stand for your living room is one that matches your aesthetic.
Look for design options similar to any other TV stand. Opt for traditional fireplace TV stands for wood finishes with classically styled fireplace mantles, or go for rustic (aka farmhouse) style TV stands for wood finishes that are paired with barn-door details and a shabby chic effect. Seek out contemporary or modern fireplace TV stands for homes with sleeker or more minimalistic aesthetics—I really like the low, midcentury modern-styled ones in homes with refined details and not a lot of clutter.
You’ll also be able to find compact units and corner TV stands for smaller spaces—these are great for small apartments, but also for areas like home offices.
Key features to look for
If you’re not sure how to choose a TV stand with a fireplace, start with its sizing. Make sure you have its width, height, and fireplace size correct for your TV and your space. Then, look at its fireplace features. Even though the electric fireplace is what makes these stands special, the fireplace’s features are secondary to the entire shelf’s aesthetic.
I look at it like this: your fireplace TV stand is a TV stand 100% of the time. You need to be 100% happy with how it looks and performs as a TV stand, from its overall aesthetic to its number and size of shelves. It’s a fireplace only 10% of the time—if even that—so its fireplace features should influence you by only 10%. (I know the math looks funny at 110%, but we’re looking at simultaneous features here! Your fireplace doesn’t stop being a TV stand when you turn on the flames.)
Look at the stand’s heating capacity, flame realism, and customization options. Multicolour flames are a popular choice, and brightness settings are a must-have for mood lighting. Consider its storage options, open or closed shelving, and its controls and tech integration. (Smart home enabled fireplaces are a great way to make sure you never lose your remote.) Finally, double-check to make sure your choice includes safety features like overheat protection, auto-shutoff, and cool-touch glass.
Choosing the best fireplace TV stand for budget & value
Choosing an entertainment centre with a fireplace is a great way to add ambiance and functionality to your room at the same time—and under the same price tag. Fireplace TV stands are a super popular option with families and households on a budget because they can offer a lot with a combined price and footprint. They serve as shelving, furniture, décor, and heating—all at the same time.
Save even more on your fireplace TV stand by keeping an eye out for Best Buy’s great sales and promotions. Try shopping specifically for TV stands on sale, or keep an eye out yourself for sale prices and buttons that say “Black Friday price,” “Top Deal,” or “Sale.”
Fireplace TV stand FAQs
Can I mount my TV above my stand instead?
Absolutely! Fireplace TV stands can be used with a TV standing on top of them or with a TV mounted on the wall above them. Both are a great way to create a visual landscape for your TV, but offer different options for stability and installation.
Do I need a professional installation for a fireplace TV stand?
Nope! Fireplace TV stands feature electric fireplaces, so they all offer plug-and-play functionality.
Do I have to put a TV on my fireplace stand?
It’s up to you. Fireplace TV stands are a great spot for placing or mounting your TV. However, they’re also popular as sideboards, record player stands, coffee carts, and more.
Will my fireplace actually heat the room?
Yes. Like a regular electric fireplace, most of these stands heat areas of 400 to 1000 square feet. They can be used with the heat turned on, or with the fireplace displaying flames for ambiance only.
Are they safe for kids and pets?
Yes. Modern electric fireplaces feature cool-touch surfaces and auto-shutoff, which are the safer option for homes with kids or pets.
Ready to level up your living room with a new TV stand? Add an extra level of safe, reliable coziness and warmth to your home with a fireplace TV stand, available online at BestBuy.ca.
