Media Consoles

Wider than the screen, ideally. Aim for a console 4 to 8 inches past each edge of the TV for a balanced look. A 65-inch TV sits well on a 71 to 79 inch console, and a 75-inch TV calls for something closer to 87 inches.

Match it to your eye line on the sofa. The center of the screen should land around seated eye level, roughly 42 inches off the floor. Most low-profile consoles run 20 to 24 inches tall, which works whether the TV sits on top or hangs on the wall above.

Each has a trade-off. Closed cabinets hide the clutter and keep dust off your gear. Open shelves let heat escape from consoles and receivers that run warm. A mix of the two tends to be the most livable setup.

A few models step beyond single finishes. The Malu Low Media Board comes in White + Walnut and Taupe + Noir Oak, and the Lilo Media Board comes in Bleu and Taupe. The rest of the range sticks to White Oak, Noir Oak, or Walnut.

It is one piece that plays several roles. Depending on where you put it, a multifunctional board works as a media unit, a sideboard, or a dresser. The Ele Multifunctional Board, for instance, mixes drawers and cabinet compartments that suit a living room, dining area, or bedroom equally well.

Darker tones are more forgiving. Noir Oak shows a bit more dust but hides minor surface scratches better than lighter finishes. White Oak reveals scratches more readily, though it is easier to touch up with matching filler. Walnut sits comfortably between the two.

Engineered wood handles it better. Veneer finishes over engineered wood resist the warping that solid wood can suffer in 60 to 80 percent humidity. It helps to keep the console off exterior walls and out of rooms where the air never really moves.