Ditch The Mounted TV For This Sleek Alternative That'll Keep Your Cables Hidden

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There's a lot that goes into creating the perfect entertainment space in your living room. And when it comes to your TV area, you want to make sure that it's free of distractions. This includes pesky cords that can easily disturb the experience (and overall style) of your room, which is a common downside of wall mounting a TV or using a tabletop stand. If you're looking for another option to keep your cables hidden, a universal TV stand may be the perfect solution. Universal TV stands are sleek, can blend with interior decor styles, and hide unsightly cables, while flawlessly integrating a TV into your living room.

A universal TV stand props up your television, but unlike traditional TV legs that support the bottom edge and are typically included, a universal stand attaches to the mounting interface in the rear of the electronic device using grommets or columns. Universal TV stands often have a hollowed-out, adjustable pillar that keeps your cords out of sight, keeping the space looking neat and organized. 

This alternative to mounting your TV is great for renters who want a sleek setup without drilling holes or damaging walls. They also come in a variety of styles, and you can typically find them online on sites like Amazon (such as the Perlesmith Universal TV Stand Mount) or at home furnishing and improvement stores.

Mounting your TV on the wall is a smart way to make it blend in with your living room decor, but it isn't always practical. You can still achieve a floating look with many universal TV stands, while also hiding unsightly cords. Simply tuck the TV's power and HDMI cords into the universal stand's cable management channel, which is typically located along the main trunk. If your universal TV stand doesn't have cord management holes, keep cables tidy by securing them along the stand's thick legs with adhesive cable clips or Velcro ties.

While the ability to adjust your TV's height is another perk of using a universal stand, you can look for other features while shopping around. For example, swiveling pedestal stands (like this Skyshalo TV Stand Mount) fit easily on top of consoles and offer the same swivel feature as many wall mounts. If you want to omit a TV console, consider the SKYSHALO Tripod Easel Stand, which rotates left and right and allows you to attach TV cords using clips along the back legs.

If you're wondering whether your TV will fit a universal stand, it helps to understand how safety standards work. The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) sets specific standards to ensure TVs are safely mounted to stands. The four-hole pattern you see on your universal TV stand is one of those standards because it provides secure, evenly distributed attachment points. To ensure the right fit, check that your universal stand is VESA compatible with your TV's size — this information is often in the product's specifications.