A traditional TV stand can feel bulky fast, especially when you’re trying to keep a room airy and intentional. I’ve built and upcycled a lot of media setups over the years, and the best ones are the pieces that do double-duty while still looking like “you.”
Narrow Console Table
A slim console table is my go-to TV stand alternative when you want a clean look without taking over the room. I’ve built a few from reclaimed wood and simple legs, and the open space underneath is perfect for baskets.
Consider these options:
- Industrial Rustic Console Table: Choose a slim, wood-effect table with metal hairpin or frame legs to recreate this modern, rustic aesthetic easily.
- Woven Seagrass Storage Basket: Add a large round woven basket underneath your console to hide cables and blankets while adding texture.
- Glass Cylinder Vase: Style your new console simply with a clear glass vase and fresh greenery to keep the look airy.
Repurposed Dresser
An old dresser makes an awesome TV stand alternative because the drawers hide all the not-cute stuff like cords, remotes, and game controllers. I’ve flipped several with fresh stain and new pulls, and the storage payoff is always huge.
Useful items to consider:
- Mid-Century Modern Dresser: Find a dresser with clean lines and legs for that stylish, functional TV stand look today.
- Gold Cabinet Knobs: Instantly upgrade your existing dresser’s appearance by swapping out old hardware for sleek, modern gold pulls.
- Woven Storage Basket: Organize remotes and reduce clutter on open shelves with a neutral, texture-rich woven storage basket.
Sideboard Or Buffet
A sideboard gives you that wide, steady top plus closed storage, so your TV area instantly feels calmer. I’ve refinished thrifted ones and love how they read more “grown-up furniture” than “electronics zone.”
Some ideas to consider:
- Rattan Sideboard with Cane Doors: Add warmth and concealed storage to your living room with a breezy, natural cane sideboard like this.
- Mid-Century Modern Buffet Cabinet: Upgrade your setup with sleek lines and tapered legs that offer a timeless, sophisticated furniture look.
- Low Profile Media Console with Storage: Keep electronics tidy and hidden behind cabinet doors while displaying your TV on this sturdy console.
Low Credenza Cabinet
A low credenza is a classic TV stand alternative if you want the screen at a comfy height without blocking wall decor. I’ve added a few DIY cord holes in the back panels, and it makes the whole setup feel intentional.
Might be a good match:
- Mid-Century Modern Rattan Sideboard: Add warmth to your living room with a cane-front cabinet that stylishly hides media devices and clutter.
- Cable Management Hole Cover Kit: Keep your setup tidy by installing these grommets into the back of your cabinet to route cords efficiently.
- Wooden Power Drill Circular Saw Bit: Use this essential tool to easily create clean custom openings in your credenza for seamless cable management.
Floating Shelf Under a Mounted TV
A sturdy floating shelf under a wall-mounted TV looks light and modern while still holding your media boxes. I always overbuild these with strong brackets because “pretty” only works if it’s also rock solid.
These products might help:
- Solid Wood Floating Shelf: Choose a thick, natural wood shelf to achieve that sturdy yet minimalist look beneath your wall-mounted screen.
- Ceramic Table Vases: Add texture and organic shapes to your display with neutral ceramic vases that complement modern interior styles.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Hide unsightly cables and remotes inside natural woven boxes to keep your media setup clean and organized.
Bookcase as a Media Base
A short bookcase can act like a TV stand alternative and a mini library at the same time. I’ve styled mine with books on one side and woven bins on the other, and it keeps the whole wall feeling layered instead of techy.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Low Profile Oak Bookcase: Create a sturdy base for your TV with a low-profile bookcase that blends storage and display functionality.
- Woven Storage Baskets: Organize unsightly cables and remotes inside natural woven baskets to keep your media setup looking clean.
- Ceramic Vase Decor: Add a touch of warmth next to your screen with a simple, neutral ceramic vase for greenery.
Storage Bench
A sturdy wood bench is a simple TV stand alternative that looks especially good in rustic or farmhouse rooms. I’ve built bench tops thick enough to handle weight, and then tucked storage baskets underneath for quick cleanup.
May just do the trick:
- Farmhouse Console Table with Storage: Create a cozy focal point with a sturdy console table that easily supports your TV and decor.
- Woven Seagrass Storage Baskets: Hide clutter instantly and add rustic texture by sliding these durable baskets onto your console’s lower shelves.
- Rustic Ceramic Vase Set: Style your new media center with simple ceramic vases perfect for holding dried flowers or greenery accents.
Vintage Chest Or Blanket Box
A vintage chest is one of my favorite TV stand alternatives because it adds character and hidden storage in one move. I’ve used a cedar chest before, and it was perfect for stashing blankets and extra cables out of sight.
Check these products out:
- Wooden Storage Chest: Store your extra linens and add rustic charm to your living room with a sturdy wooden trunk.
- Cedar Line Blanket Box: Protect your wool blankets from pests while creating a unique focal point beneath your wall-mounted screen.
- Textured Throw Blanket: Soften the look of your wooden chest by draping a cozy, textured throw over the edge.
Cube Shelf With Bins
A cube shelf works great as a TV stand alternative when you need flexible storage that can change with your life. I’ve customized the top with a thicker wood cap, and suddenly it looks like a real piece of furniture.
A few choices to try:
- Wooden Cube Storage Organizer: Choose a sturdy organizer to create your base; look for wood finishes to match warm, natural aesthetics.
- Fabric Cube Storage Bins: Organize clutter instantly with soft fabric bins that slide easily and keep your essentials neat and hidden.
- Woven Seagrass Baskets: Add texture to your shelving unit with natural woven baskets perfect for storing blankets or bulky items.
Open Shelving Unit
An open shelving unit is a TV stand alternative that lets you mix decor and devices so the TV doesn’t feel like the only star. I’ve done this with stained wood shelves and matching baskets, and it makes the whole wall feel curated.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Solid Wood Media Console with Shelves: Anchor your entertainment space with sturdy, natural wood shelving that provides stylish, open storage for all your media essentials.
- Woven Seagrass Storage Baskets: Organize clutter effortlessly by sliding these textured, natural woven baskets onto your open shelves for a clean, curated look.
- Modern Ceramic Vase for Dried Florals: Add height and elegance beside your screen with a textured ceramic vase perfect for displaying dried pampas grass stems.
Wall Bracket Shelf System
A wall-mounted bracket system gives you a TV stand alternative with vertical storage, which is a lifesaver in small spaces. I’ve installed shelves at staggered heights and loved how it creates a built-in look without built-in commitment.
Explore these options:
- Industrial Pipe Shelf Brackets: Create your custom shelving unit by mounting sturdy metal brackets, providing solid support for your wooden planks.
- Solid Wood Plank Boards: Select natural wood planks to add warmth and texture, serving as the perfect tiered surface for display.
- Wall-Mounted Ladder Shelf Unit: Opt for a complete, pre-designed shelving kit to easily achieve this structured, modern look without DIY hassle.
TV Easel Stand Look
An easel-style TV stand turns your screen into something that feels more like art than electronics. I’ve mocked this up with a tripod-style build before, and it’s such a fun conversation piece when the TV is off.
Products that could assist:
- Wooden Easel TV Stand: Transform your living space with this artistic tripod mount that turns your television into a gallery-worthy display.
- Cable Management Sleeve Kit: Keep the look clean and wireless by neatly bundling cords down the back leg of your stand.
- Woven Storage Basket: Add a nearby texture-rich basket to hide remotes or gaming controllers while complementing the natural wood aesthetic.
Rolling Cart Media Station
A sturdy rolling cart is a practical TV stand alternative when you like rearranging or need flexibility for movie nights. I’ve built a wood-top cart with locking casters, and being able to shift it for glare is honestly underrated.
A few helpful options:
- Industrial Rolling Utility Cart: Organize your media setup effortlessly with a mobile cart that offers sturdy shelves for equipment and decor.
- Woven Storage Basket: Keep cables and remotes tidy by tucking them away in a stylish, textured basket on open shelving.
- Canvas Fabric Storage Bin: Add soft texture and hide clutter like game controllers or DVDs inside a durable, collapsible fabric bin.
Two Sawhorses and a Wood Plank
For a quick DIY TV stand alternative, I’ve used sawhorses with a thick wood plank and it looks surprisingly intentional in an industrial-rustic room. The trick is sanding the top silky smooth and staining it deep so it feels finished.
Some handy options:
- Wooden Sawhorse Brackets or Trestle Legs: Create a sturdy base for your console by selecting durable wooden trestle legs that offer instant industrial style.
- Live Edge or Reclaimed Wood Slab: Top your stand with a solid wood plank to add warmth, character, and a high-end custom feel.
- Dark Wood Stain and Sealer: Finish your raw wood components with a deep stain to achieve that rich, professional look shown here.
Stacked Crates Media Console
Turn wood crates on their sides and stack them into a customizable TV stand alternative with instant cubbies. I’ve screwed mine together and added a stained top, and it’s perfect when you want storage without a heavy cabinet.
These products might be useful:
- Set of Wooden Storage Crates: Use these versatile crates as the structural base to build customizable compartments for your new rustic console.
- Wood Stain and Sealer: Apply a rich finish to your raw wood crates to achieve that warm, reclaimed farmhouse aesthetic easily.
- Solid Wood Project Board: Add a sturdy, unified top surface to your stacked crates to create a stable platform for your TV.
Ladder Shelf Laid Horizontal
An old ladder shelf laid horizontally can become a quirky TV stand alternative with built-in tiers. I tried this with a beat-up wooden ladder, and once I sealed it, the worn grain looked like a design choice.
Possibly handy products:
- Rustic Wooden Blanket Ladder: Find a sturdy wooden ladder to lay sideways for a unique, farmhouse-style media console base.
- L-Brackets for Wall Mounting: Secure your new horizontal ladder stand safely to the wall with heavy-duty metal support brackets.
- Wood Sealer & Finish: Protect your vintage ladder and enhance its natural grain with a high-quality matte wood sealer.
Repurposed Door Console
A salvaged wood door can be cut down and turned into a long TV stand alternative with insane texture and history. I’ve used old door panels as fronts on a simple box base, and it instantly gave that one-of-a-kind farmhouse vibe.
Give these a look:
- Distressed White TV Console: Skip the DIY project and get that instant salvaged look with a ready-made distressed white console table.
- Decorative Door Handles: Add authentic vintage charm to your custom build by installing rustic, antique-style iron door handles.
- Chalk Paint for Furniture: Create your own weathered finish on any wooden furniture piece using easy-to-apply matte white chalk paint.
Stump Slab Bench Base
A thick live-edge slab on solid stump-style bases makes a bold, natural TV stand alternative that feels like functional sculpture. I’ve done a version with a clear coat to show off the grain, and it always gets compliments.
A few suggestions:
- Live Edge Wood Bench: Add a massive, rustic foundation for your TV by choosing a sturdy live edge wood slab bench.
- Tree Stump Side Tables: Use these solid wood stumps as side accents or combine several to create a unique base structure.
- Rustic Jute Area Rug: Protect your floors and complete the organic look with a textured natural fiber rug under your stand.
Corner Shelf Console Setup
If your room layout is tricky, a corner console is a smart TV stand alternative that frees up the main wall. I’ve built corner units with triangle tops, and they’re surprisingly roomy for devices when you add a lower shelf.
Check if these fit your needs:
- Corner TV Stand with Open Shelving: Maximize your limited floor space with a corner-style stand that tucks neatly away while offering display storage.
- Woven Seagrass Storage Baskets: Organize cables and remotes stylishly by adding natural texture with these sturdy, versatile storage bins.
- Decorative Ceramic Vase: Soften the look of your electronics by placing a simple, textured vase with greenery beside your screen.
