How To Prop Up A TV Without A Stand (Quickly & Easily!)
You used to be out of luck if you didn’t have a TV stand, but that’s not the case anymore. It can be intimidating to prop up a TV without a stand, but it doesn’t have to be. So, how do you prop up a TV if you don’t have a stand?
You can prop up a TV with a fixed, tilted, or full-motion wall mount if you don’t have a stand. Corner shelving and TV tripods prop up a TV without taking up much space. DIY TV stands are just as effective as traditional stands and you can make them with recycled wood pallets.
There is no shortage of options when it comes to TV stand alternatives, especially if you go the DIY route. Many of these alternatives are even cheaper than a traditional TV stand. Follow along as we explore the best ways to prop up a TV without a stand.
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What Can I Use if I Don’t Have a TV Stand?
You can everything from a TV mount or tripod to corner shelving if you don’t have a TV stand. TV stands aren’t as necessary as they used to be with all of the available, effective alternatives. Let’s take a look at how to prop up a TV without a stand.
1. Mount It
The most common alternative to a traditional stand is to mount your TV on the wall. Countless homeowners mount their TVs because it is a great way to make the most of your space. Mounted TVs are more popular than ever due to the open concept trend.
The clean look that mounted TVs provide is one of the main appeals, and it makes all the difference. You can choose between three distinct types of TV mounts: fixed, full-motion, and tilted mounts. Installation is largely the same between the three types, it is ultimately just a matter of personal taste.
Fixed Mount
As the name suggests, a fixed TV mount is fixed to a specific position. Fixed TV mounts are ideal if you want to mount your TV somewhere that can be viewed easily from multiple positions. They are common in family rooms with multiple seating options and are often central to them.
However, fixed mounts are not ideal if the layout of the space makes it difficult for you to see the screen from throughout the room. Otherwise, fixed mounts are easy to install, clean, and can support most modern TVs.
Full Motion Mount
Full-motion mounts are ideal if you want to be able to adjust your TV’s position. You can’t always see a TV screen from every seat in the room with a fixed mount, and that’s where full-motion mounts come into play. You can freely adjust the position of a full-motion mount from one side to the other.
The smooth hinge on a full-motion mount makes it easy to move your TV without breaking a sweat. Full-motion mounts vary widely in cost between $50 and $250 or more. Make sure to choose a full-motion mount that is rated for the size of your TV to be safe.
Tilted Mount
Tilted mounts are the perfect middle between fixed mounts and full-motion mounts. You can still adjust the position of your TV with a tilted mount, but only by 15 degrees. Generally, tilted mounts allow you to tilt your TV by 15 degrees up or down.
This is helpful for glares or if you can’t see from a specific seat, however, they don’t offer as much freedom as full-motion mounts. You may not need a full-motion mount, and tilted mounts are a great alternative.
2. TV Tripod
TV tripods are a stylistic and practical alternative to standard TV stands. You simply mount your TV on a special tripod and enjoy the extra free space. The one downside to TV tripods is that you can often see the cables dangling behind the TV.
The average TV tripod costs $95 and is cheaper than the average TV stand. TV tripods contain a mounting rack in the back that you attach to the TV. The base of the TV sits on the tripod for extra support, and it is easy to set up a TV tripod.
3. Corner Shelving
Corner shelving is the most unique way to prop up a TV without a stand. As the name suggests, you simply install corner shelving in the corner and place the TV on it. Corner shelving is generally ideal for smaller to medium-sized televisions because you only have so much space in a corner.
You can get creative and position the furniture to face the corner if you want to utilize the rest of the space in the room. Corner shelving is also much more visually unique than a standard TV stand and puts a unique spin on watching TV.
4. Bench
Whether you have an extra one laying around or need to buy one, benches are an excellent way to prop up a TV. You can rest a TV on a bench without worrying about it falling over as long as you secure it well. Improve your TV’s stability and fasten it in place with discreet furniture straps if you’re worried about it falling over.
It is ideal to prop your TV up with a flat bench so that the weight is evenly distributed. Otherwise, your TV may fall over if you simply walk around the room the wrong way or bump into it. However, a small TV can easily rest on a bench and you won’t have to worry about it falling.
5. DIY Stand
DIY TV stands are more popular than ever, and the possibilities are endless. You can create a TV stand or entertainment center out of everything from wood scraps to unused cable drums. Convert a bookcase or old shelf into a DIY stand if you want to save money and design it to your liking.
Make sure to take accurate measurements and choose materials that can support your TV. The average TV weighs 32 pounds, so you must pick a thick and sturdy material like wood to support the weight. You can use simple items such as old wood pallets to create a rustic look and prop your TV up.
6. Dresser
Depending on the size of it, you can prop up your TV with a dresser. Dressers are ideal because they can handle plenty of weight and have a convenient flat surface. Small flat-screen TVs often come with small legs so that you can place them on a surface, and that includes dressers.
You can put a TV on a dresser even if it doesn’t have feet if you prop it up with books, wood, or cushions. Many homeowners prop up TVs on dressers in the bedroom, but you can reasonably use a dresser in a living room or family room. Make sure to prop the TV up as flat as possible and away from the edge of the dresser so that it doesn’t easily fall over.
Related Questions
Are TV stands universal?
TV stands are not universal and are generally rated to support a TV of a specific size and weight. Mounting racks are semi-universal in that modern mounts are designed to be compatible with the average flat-screen TV. Always check a TV stand to make sure that it can support the size and weight of your TV.
Do fireplace TV stands give off heat?
Fireplace TV stands give off heat because they generally contain infrared quartz. You can notice the heat much more in smaller rooms or homes. Fireplace TV stands are expensive to use and use the same amount of electricity as most electric space heaters.
Summing It Up
The best way to prop a TV without a stand is to mount it with a full-motion mount. Tilted and fixed mounts are also effective, but they give you less freedom of motion. You can also build a DIY TV stand alternative out of recycled materials such as old wood or pallets.
Save money and use a dresser that you already own to prop up your TV. Otherwise, TV tripods and corner shelving are great TV stand alternatives that have a visual flair. Whether it be a bench, tripod, or mount, each of these options is a great way to prop up a TV without a stand.
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Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.
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