Can You Put a TV on a Console Table?

Yes, it can be quite feasible to place your TV on a console table, provided you ensure the table is the right size and weight capacity, at the same time, at the right height to suit your viewing needs. In this post, we go in-depth into the feasibility of using a console table as an alternative to the TV stand and propose useful advice in practice for making a better choice.

What Is a Console Table?

A console table is a narrow, shallow-length table that is mostly fitted against a wall, usually in the entryway or hallway, or behind a couch. Of course, it can also be used flexibly in the living room, dining room, or home office.

The purpose of placing a console table in the entryway is mostly to place small items, like keys, wallets, etc., while usually, a mirror is hung above it, which makes it easier for you to compose yourself before leaving the house.

It can provide more storage in the living room and can add to the decorative feel of the space. Console tables are often used to place greenery, picture frames, or things that give off nice aromas to make your home much warmer.

A console table can be placed behind a sofa; it then is more commonly referred to as a sofa table and is very often complemented with a lamp to make a cozy corner.

It can be used in the dining room as a console table or sideboard to display cutlery or plates of food, or it can act as your buffet table for serving when there are family dinners.

In a home office, it can support a printer, folders, and office stationery or just simply be a writing desk or office desk.

Difference Between a Console Table and a TV Stand

Before getting into why you should choose a console table to house your TV, it is important to take a quick look at the difference between a console table and a traditional TV stand in order to define your needs more precisely.

Appearance and Design

• Console tables are usually narrower, shallower, and about the same height as a normal table. This makes them lighter-looking and gives a more simplistic feel while being more decor-oriented.
• TV stands, on the other hand, are more functional in design to be wide and low enough to securely hold not only the TV itself but also provide ample room for other forms of entertainment. Moreover, there are TV stands designed with particular attention to the heat dissipation of the equipment and have special line management for avoiding wire clutter and preventing overheating when the equipment is in use for a long period.

Functionality

• Console tables, firstly, were designed to provide additional space both for storing and displaying things, and quite often used to display various items of decoration, photos, books, or everyday objects.
• Primarily, a TV stand is intended to provide appropriate support and management space for the TV and other electronic equipment that is connected to it. It also has various compartments and drawers that are designed for organizing equipment, such as remote controls, sound systems, Blu-ray players, game consoles, and others.

Flexibility of Use

• Nothing else different. A console table can be placed in the house: it may come in at the entry, hall, dining, or living room. It may answer various needs: storing, displaying, or even temporary workplace.
• TV stands are set up in the living room or entertainment room, mainly to provide stable support and storage for the TV and equipment with one function but more in line with home entertainment needs.

Can You Use a Console Table as a TV Stand?

Using a console table as a TV stand is not a problem, and there might be some surprises about it.

Provided that the console table is of proper width and depth and able to hold the weight of the TV securely, it is just as feasible and safe to hold a television on it.

Besides, console tables are typically solidly constructed in such a way that they keep the TV balanced with no tendency to be wobbly or unstable.

The height of a console table is almost the same as any other TV stand and provides perfect comfort for eye-level viewing.

A proper height of the TV provides great comfort when viewing, and the console tables cater to this need by saving one from any neck or eye problem caused by improper height, maintaining comfort even while the time lengthens.

While console tables don't inherently include a mechanism for cable management, as one would find with a dedicated TV stand, this is an easy problem to solve, and messy cords can be addressed with the help of a cable management box or cable ties. The back of the console table generally leaves enough space to route wires wisely and hide them.

Considerations Before Putting Your TV on a Console Table

If you do plan to use the console table as a TV stand, here are some details to consider when shopping. Here are just some practical tips that might help you out:

Size

A console table needs to be deep enough and wide enough to hold a lot of equipment, such as TVs, set-top boxes, stereos, and plenty of cables. One easy way to shop for a console table is to remember that it should ideally be a few inches wider on either side than the TV that will sit atop it to create visual balance.

Height

In general, the center of the TV screen should be at eye level for optimum viewing. If the height of the console table is either too high or too low, extended viewing will produce neck discomfort.

You can start by measuring your line of sight when sitting on the sofa and then subtract half the height of the TV screen so you can roughly determine the appropriate height of the console table. Of course, this is just a reference and will have to be adjusted according to your actual needs.

Support and Stability

The console should be sturdy and stable enough to bear a TV, consoles for playing games, blurry players, and audio equipment without tilting and swaying.

Available Space

Before you buy a console table, measure the space where you want to place it to find out if it will fit comfortably in the space without feeling cramped. You are also supposed to leave room enough such that you can navigate around it without causing interference to access or block a walkway for the area to remain smooth and roomy.

Managing Cords

Keep in mind the organization of the wires: you may cut a hole in the back of the table or attach cable ties or clips to clean up your cords and prevent a mess of cords. This will keep your area tidy and organized as well.

Conclusion

Nowadays, a console table could be used for placing the TV on it. A console table in style is clean and flexible in design; it would be a great and practical solution for TV stand purposes, which makes your space stylish and meets functional needs.

Related Reading

Can You Use a Sideboard as a TV Stand?
9 Stylish Furniture Alternatives for TV Stands