Sizing up your 40 inch tv stand: Why 100cm is the bare minimum for a proper setup

I have spent far too many years in the workshop fixing furniture that people bought because it looked “modern” in a catalogue, only for it to fall apart when they actually put a telly on it. If you are looking for a 40 inch tv stand, stop thinking about what looks trendy for five minutes and think about the weight. Most of the cheap stuff you find online is just compressed paper. It will bow. It will look rubbish. And eventually, your expensive television will end up on the floor.

 

When you are picking out a unit for a 40-inch screen, you need to be realistic about the dimensions. I always tell people to aim for at least a 100cm wide sideboard or a dedicated TV Unit of that size. Why? Because a 40-inch screen is usually about 90cm wide. If you buy a stand that is exactly the same width, it looks top-heavy and honestly, a bit daft. You want a bit of a border on either side so the whole thing looks balanced in your room.

Another thing people mess up is the legs. Television manufacturers love putting the feet right at the ends of the screen these days. If your 40 inch tv stand is the minimum width, those feet might be millimetres from the edge. One knock from the dog or a kid playing football in the lounge and the whole lot is going over. It is not worth the stress. Go a size up if you have the floor space.

Look, this stuff is Solid Oak. It is heavy as lead and it will probably have a few knots in the grain. That is what wood looks like. If you want something that looks like it was printed in a factory, go buy some plastic. My Oak Living Room Furniture is built to be “kid-proof” because I know what happens to a house when you have a family. It gets battered. Oak takes that punishment and stays standing.

If you are worried about keeping it looking decent, have a look at Oak Sideboard Care: Protecting Your Investment. It is not hard, just a bit of wax now and then. And if you are tight on space, you might want to consider if Extra Tall TV Cabinets: Are They the Best Choice? before you commit to a low unit.

Oak Castle Furniture does things properly. We do not do the flimsy stuff. If you want a unit that you will still be using in ten years, you are in the right place. If you want something to last until your next house move, look elsewhere.

Feature Solid Oak Unit High-Street Flatpack
Durability Will outlast your next three TVs Might survive one house move
Maintenance Needs a bit of wax occasionally Just try not to get it wet
Value Buy it once, keep it forever Cheap now, expensive when it breaks

“The unit is proper solid. It took two of us to move it into the corner, but it doesn’t budge. My 40-inch telly looks right at home on it and there is plenty of room for the Sky box and the kids’ games.”

— Verified Customer
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Quick Specifications: 40 Inch TV Stand (Standard Oak)

Width 100CM (Recommended Minimum)
Height 50CM
Depth 45CM
Material Solid White Oak, Hardwood Backs & Drawer Bases
Assembly Fully Assembled
Weight Capacity Tested up to 60kg
Manufacturer Warranty 5-Year Structural Guarantee by Oak Castle Furniture

Common Questions About TV Stands

Will my 40-inch TV fit on a 90cm stand? Technically, yes, but it will look like you bought the wrong size. The screen will be almost flush with the edges, which is a bit of a safety risk if you have a busy house. I always suggest going to 100cm.

Is solid oak too heavy for upstairs rooms? It is heavy, but any standard house can handle it. Just don’t try to carry it up the stairs on your own. Get a mate to help or use our premium delivery service so we can do the heavy lifting for you.

Do these units have holes for the cables? Most of them do. I hate seeing a mess of wires behind a nice bit of wood, so we make sure there is a way to tuck them through the back.

What happens if the wood marks? It is a natural product, so it might happen. A bit of fine sandpaper and some fresh wax usually sorts most things out. It is much easier to fix than a scratched laminate surface.

Why is it more expensive than the stuff in the big retail parks? Because this is not made of sawdust and glue. You are paying for wood that grew for decades and was put together by people who know what they are doing. You buy this once, and you are sorted.

Shop Related: Living Room > TV Unit > Contemporary