Personally I think you need an entertainment console at least 8 inches wider than your TV...(4 or more inches per side).... The problem I have is when people put a large TV over a smaller entertainment console....it looks too top heavy.

If you want to get a larger TV, then I would look for a wider console.....Of the picture you show....only the Midcentury by Seattle Archetects looks odd to me. The rest look fine and they do have a lot of storage.

This post was edited by grandmaof3 on Wed, Feb 4, 15 at 13:40

Thanks for that comment grandmaof3! It was mentioned in my other thread that if the console is too long it would look unbalanced. The one I'm considering would go along most of the wall, leaving about 40" empty on either side if we put it right in the center.

As advised, I plan to make a mock-up of the piece out of cardboard and see how it suits the room. It would actually be about same length as our sofa, and be positioned across from the sofa, so that seems like they would be balanced. The sofa was is not as long as the entertainment console wall, though, so I'm not sure if that would be a factor to consider.

Yes, definitely do a mock up, take pics (post here, of course) and look at your pics. Things look so different in photos than IRL. I'd go with a longer one because of getting a larger tv in the future. I think it looks much worse to have a stand that is too small for the tv. I agree with Grandma that there should be a good 4 or more inches per side at the least.

I would definitely get the longer console to accommodate a larger TV in the future. In the meantime, I would probably put your current TV more to the side and then use some decorative items to fill in the space, such as a grouping of vases, stacked baskets, etc. A small TV in the center will only emphasize that the scale is off.

Here is a photo of the console we're liking. The dimensions are 18.90 inches high x 78.50 inches wide x 19.69 inches deep, and the open shelves will hold everything that needs air circulation.

{{gwi:2144572}}

It's not quite as long as our sofa, and the depth is perfect for even the deepest component (some units I've seen are too shallow). Our tv is 44" wide and on a wall mount (not sure how to hide wiring, maybe those paintable wire hiding things I've seen). The wall the media console would be against is about 14' long, the longest wall in the room (the space is about 11 x 14 but only has 2 2/3 walls, the rest is open to the entry and dining/kitchen).

I hope this unit, or one very similar, is still available come time to re-do the room (maybe in 4 months).

mello, I know you liked my media unit because you commented on it previously. It's got very similar dimensions to the one you posted, and it's on a wall that is about the same length as your's (the wall itself, there is a door right next to it that extends it visually, and it is part of a much larger LR-DR-Kitchen open plan).

Anyway, I think the picture you show above looks great (smaller TV with "things" on both sides), and I think it also looks good with a larger TV (mine is 65" diagonally, don't know the exact width, but probably about 60") (I have a lamp on one side and a plant on the other, both with relatively simple proportions).

sjhockeyfan -- you DO have a lovely space I admire ;-) Thanks for the feedback on the size. The more I've tried to imagine it in the space, the more I think it will be a good fit. For several years I've been wanting some type of small "accent light" for when we watch tv/movies, I don't like to view in complete darkness. No place to put anything like that, though, so in adding a console media unit I would also have a place for a small lamp :-)

I also think, with the room being kind of small, that fewer pieces will create a less cluttered feeling...even if it's long it won't be super tall to dominate. I kind of want to just buy it and hide it from DH until we're ready to re-do the room LOL!

Melle-- I commented on scale in your prior post. I think it really depends on your preference. If you're planning to get a larger tv, then I would choose a console that is large enough to accomodate that (i.e. at least a foot wider than the larger tv, maybe 18 inches). I prefer no more than a foot between the edge of the tv and the edge of the console (like the first picture you posted from houzz); but again that is personal preference. I think the blue builtin style unit in the houzz picture looks good despite having a larger difference in width, because it has closed door cabinets that seem to serve additional storage purposes and it has been staged well with decorative items flanking the tv. In contrast, in the picture from the website of the console you like, the tv looks undersized relative to the cabinet.
My larger concern was that the wider piece might overpower your living room, as in your earlier thread you mentioned that your upholstered furniture is too large for the space. Ultimately it boils down to what you like and what you can live with. I dont' think there's a 'wrong' answer.

I would go with the longer one. Mine is too small- it is longer than the tv, but our side speakers are mounted next to the tv and it's shorter than the whole ensemble. I would like to replace it one day, but I'm really picky and we do have seating in the one corner.