A stupid question, really, and I don't know really where to post it

[Critters2]

but here goes....my old TV died, so I went to the local Sears and paid for a Sony 32 inch CRT TV. Money's a little tight for me right now. Not poverty, but just feeling the need to be frugal. So, I bought this TV on a clearance sale and got a pretty good price. The sales guy says I should have it delivered, since it weighs almost 200 lbs. So, I agree to have it delivered (Tuesday), write my check and head out the door.

Then it strikes me--I don't think my old TV stand, which held a 20 incher, will support a 200 lb TV.
So, I go online and start pricing stands that will work for this new TV. I could spend the amount I'm seeing, but would really rather not--not right now. And they all say "assembly required" and I really hate doing that work. I suck at all that "tab a in slot b" stuff, and I live alone, so I'll end up doing it.

So, here's kind of a decorating/diy question...because I'm having trouble visualizing this myself...would a 32 inch TV sitting directly on the floor work, or do you think a stand is a necessity? I'm just needing a little input, because once I ponder a point too long, I can't be objective. I just need a few second opinions. Can a TV work/look okay, etc, without a TV stand?

Thanks for your consideration.

Critters
who simply cannot make a decision alone!

[NMDemDist2]

1. they should be off the floor, it's not good for them to be in all that dust

go to home depot or lowes and get a couple cinder blocks and a couple heavy boards or go to a thrift store and see what's available in the way of bedside tables even

Sears should have the measurements on their website (or the maker of the TV) so you can figure out how big it needs to be

frugal and easy!

[Critters2]

5. Thanks! I didn't think leaving it on the floor was a good idea! nt

[lies and propaganda]

7. i second this idea because i did it and loved it!

I got some funky Asian type cinder blocks, spraypainted them pink or something and bought a fun piece of wood at HD that was meant to be part of some closet assembly type thing.

It was beyond fun looking and cost all of ten bucks maybe. And you get a work out rearranging all the cinder blocks to your liking ;)

[TygrBright]

2. AZDem's right, and another consideration...

...is the crick in yer neck you'll get from the funky viewing angle, unless you stretch out on yer tummy to watch. Even a 2-hour movie/DVD watching in a non-ergonimic position can have you waking up with stiff neck & shoulders the next morning. Not worth it!

Cinder blocks and a plank, or chunk of plywood, or something like that, will be a fine interim solution. You want a viewing angle where yer chin is at a 90 degree angle from yer spine and your eyes focused just slightly downwards for best ergonimic results. Slightly up works too, but you might haveta use a lotta cinder blocks for that!

helpfully,
Bright

[Stinky The Clown]

3. Not to imply that you weigh 200 lbs .......

I'd bet your old teevee stand will hold the new teevee. To be very honest, 200 lbs is not all that much for a stand to support.

Try this ...... take your old teevee off and then stand on the stand. Even assuming you're 100 lbs, you'll get a feeling for the stand's sturdiness.

Again .... I'd bet anything it will hold the new teevee just fine.

As an alternative ..... get ye off to Ye Olde Thrift Shoppe and buy a suitable table. Something like an old coffee or end table can surely be had cheaply and will certainly do the job. For very cheap!

[Critters2]

4. Thanks! I'll head to a thrift shop this afternoon. 200 lbs sounds like a lot

to me, but I spoke with my dad, who's a design engineer and has to know what can take what kind of load, he basically gave me the same advice. So, I'll hit the Thrift Shoppes after work! Thanks!

[Warpy]

6. My pop had one of those on a particle board TV stand

from Target. What he did was cut a couple of 1x3s to set the TV on to distribute the load. The TV was fine and the stand didn't sag, but I wouldn't recommend it if you're moving the stand around a lot.

A better idea would be a cheap used bureau. Those things are a little beefier than the cheap little particle board, assembly required TV stands.

[Graybeard]

8. Be very, very careful...

...of where you put a 200 lb. TV. The most important factor is not holding the weight, it is not TIPPING OVER! I have seen so many stories about young children being crushed while climbing on a TV stand that tipped over. If kids ever come to your house think about this.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Quick! Go antiquing, yard-saling, or to a thrift store

A solid washstand that does not have spindly legs, or an old trunk, or a hope chest, or a funky old coffee tbale that you can paint, decoupage or cover.