We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. From the most streamlined TV stand to timeless designs replete with storage, media consoles are more than a place to keep your flatscreen. In many layouts, they act as a modern-day hearth where we gather to relax and enjoy stories together. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated console furniture collection has something perfect for your home, beautifully blending form and function.
Not sure which design best fits your space when shopping media consoles and cabinets? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out the tips below for ideas and inspiration as you choose the best piece to buy for your space.
What Is A Media Console?
Definitions are always a good place to start—even when they seem obvious at first. What is a TV console? It’s the thing you put your TV on. But savvy readers know good design is just as much about what goes unnoticed as what stands out. There’s always more than meets the eye—and a TV media console’s strength lies in what it conceals.
Console furniture has long been a staple for storage and surface space, whether in your entryway, bedroom, dining or living room. Over time, as technology and appliances entered the home, our layouts have adapted and changed, but the practical need for storage and surface space has not. Enter the media console. A media console sits somewhere between a console table and a sideboard cabinet—indeed, you may see them variously referred to as media console tables or media cabinets—and the designs can vary greatly, but most are alike in a few key ways.
Media consoles often sit with a low profile—typically below 30”. This is so your TV screen sits at a comfortable height relative to your sofa. They also have media cutouts—pre-cut round holes in the back for cord management. Lastly, most media consoles will offer storage of some sort, but this can vary greatly depending on whether the piece is more of a TV stand or a full media console cabinet, so choosing the right design for your space is essential.
How To Choose the Right Media Console for Your Space
When choosing a media console, two considerations will probably dominate your attention: Do I have the space? And how much additional storage does it offer? But practical considerations aside, you also want to make sure it’s a piece you love because whether it’s in a family room or bedroom, it’s likely to become something of a focal point. Thankfully, we have a wide selection of media cabinets to choose from, so you can find something that meets your practical needs while reflecting your style.
You may have memories of your first TV stand in an early apartment—perhaps thrifted or repurposed—a spindly thing that nearly buckled under the weight of a TV that was heavier than it was, with precarious stacks of DVDs and CDs perched on the sides. But TVs have gotten slimmer, and your tastes have grown up—it’s time to make technology look good in your home.
Some—like this burl wood Martine Media Console—are so elegant that to call them a TV media console at all seems to undersell them a little. Others take your state-of-the-art flatscreen and stereo systems and retrofit them with vintage warmth. We particularly love the clean, mid-century-inspired lines and timeless textures in the Hannah Media Console. These are perfect options for creating a focal point—say in a bedroom or family room, where the TV is, ahem, the star of the show.
If you are, however, fitting something into a multi-purpose living space—a living room where you also entertain formally or an open plan space that calls for cohesion throughout—you might consider going bigger with the console so that the TV seems smaller in place. The Colby Media Console sits at a staggering 78” long and features glass cabinet doors with interior drawers for more discreet storage. This not only makes it a much more functional storage piece but also gives you plenty of space to curate around your TV so it can blend seamlessly into the room. But more on that below.
Make It Yours: Tips for Styling Your TV Console
Styling your media console table is like curating any tabletop display, with one crucial difference: There is usually a TV sitting in the middle of it, and an unobstructed view is important. You still want to make sure you’re creating visual interest—a minimalist look can work well, but layering in at least some decor will help soften the visual impact of the large black rectangle. Curvilinear silhouettes and organic textures can help balance the linear profile of the TV while adding warmth. A few art books can also be a nice touch—they say, this is my TV, but books are valued here too.
Another option is to mount your television higher up on the wall. This leaves you with a full tablescape to curate. In this case, you want to style it just as you would a sideboard or console table. Bonus points for making the TV part of a gallery wall with art and other elements—be mindful of including any mirrors here, though. Nobody wants to watch themselves watch TV.
However you style it, a media console allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. It lets you seamlessly fold technology into your home and create a place for storage, all while enriching your home's aesthetic with an element you can tailor to your taste.
Lulu and Georgia Media Consoles
When you shop online at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find pieces that complement the style of your space but also make it feel more elevated. Whether you are looking for a media console cabinet to elevate your family room edit or something sleek for a bedroom or multi-purpose guest room, we have a selection curated by design, materials, and size. Check out our living room inspiration for more ideas on creating stylish everyday living spaces.
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