Let’s face it, setting up a living room or entertainment space can be tricky. You’ve got the TV, maybe a soundbar, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and a whole bunch of cables that seem to multiply overnight. My own living room was a chaotic mess of wires and components precariously stacked, lacking any real organization or aesthetic appeal. Finding a solution for this clutter and creating a clean, functional focal point was essential. Without a proper place for everything, the mess only grows, making the space feel cramped and disorganized, not to mention the potential safety hazards from exposed wires and unstable equipment.
Thinking Ahead Before Selecting a TV Stand
Considering a new television stand often stems from a need to tidy up your living space, house modern entertainment equipment efficiently, or simply upgrade the look and feel of the room. A good TV stand serves multiple purposes: it provides a stable base for your television at an ergonomic viewing height, offers storage for media components and accessories, helps manage unsightly cables, and contributes significantly to your room’s decor. The ideal customer for a piece like the Henn&Hart Hanson TV Stand is someone with a moderate to large television (up to 75 inches) who values both function and contemporary style. They likely need ample storage to keep remotes, games, movies, or other items out of sight and appreciate furniture that makes a visual statement. This type of TV console might not be the best fit for someone looking for a minimalist, open-shelf design with no hidden storage, or someone with a much smaller TV who might find the width excessive. Before making a purchase, consider the size of your TV and room, the amount of storage you require, the materials and finish that match your decor, the weight capacity the stand needs to support, and how easy it will be to manage cables.
Introducing the Henn&Hart Hanson TV Console
The Henn&Hart Hanson Rectangular TV Stand for TV’s up to 75″ in Black Grain is designed to be a centerpiece for your entertainment area, promising sturdy support for large televisions and ample storage behind its stylish doors. When you purchase this TV stand, you receive all the necessary components for assembly along with detailed instructions. Compared to some basic stands on the market, the Hanson model offers a more substantial presence and significant hidden storage, often at a competitive price point relative to its size and features. This particular stand is best suited for individuals or families who need to accommodate a large TV (up to 75 inches) and require a furniture piece that combines practical storage with a modern, handcrafted aesthetic. It’s less ideal for someone needing a very compact stand or a completely open design.
Here’s a quick look at some pros and cons based on my experience and user feedback:
Pros:
* Supports large TVs up to 75 inches.
* Stylish black grain finish and contemporary design.
* Provides significant hidden storage with doors.
* Sturdy construction from MDF and PVC materials.
* Offers good value for its size and features.
Cons:
* Assembly can be challenging and time-consuming for some.
* Door alignment may require careful adjustment.
* Some users reported minor cosmetic imperfections upon arrival.
* Requires tools not included for easier assembly (like a drill).
In-Depth Look at Features and How They Perform
Having lived with the Henn&Hart Hanson Rectangular TV Stand for a while now, I can dive into the specifics of its features and how they contribute to its overall performance and value.
Sturdy Construction and Materials:
The foundation of this TV stand is its construction from sturdy MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) materials. MDF is a widely used engineered wood product known for its density and stability, making it a solid choice for furniture components. The PVC application often provides durability and allows for various finishes, in this case, the black grain. This combination means the stand isn’t flimsy; it feels substantial and capable of supporting the weight of a large TV, specified up to 75 inches. The benefit here is peace of mind – you’re placing an expensive piece of equipment on a stand you can trust. It also contributes to the overall longevity of the furniture piece. While some assembly components are metal, the core structure relies on these engineered materials. It’s important, as with any MDF furniture, to handle it carefully during assembly to avoid stripping screw holes, a common issue if you over-tighten or force screws.
Handcrafted Black Grain Finish:
The aesthetic appeal of the Henn&Hart Hanson TV Stand largely comes from its handcrafted black grain finish. This isn’t just a flat color; the “grain” texture gives it a more sophisticated, less artificial look, mimicking natural wood grain while utilizing the benefits of engineered wood. The black tone is versatile, fitting into many contemporary and modern decor styles. It effectively conceals fingerprints and minor dust compared to high-gloss finishes. The “handcrafted” aspect implies attention to detail in the application of the finish, contributing to a premium feel without a premium price tag. This finish transforms the stand from a purely functional item into a decorative piece that enhances the room’s atmosphere. While most users appreciate the look, some noted minor cosmetic scratches or imperfections which could be due to manufacturing or shipping – something to inspect upon unpacking.
Size and TV Compatibility:
Measuring 69.61 inches wide, this TV console is explicitly designed to accommodate televisions up to 75 inches. This is a key feature for anyone with a large, modern screen. A stand that’s too small makes a large TV look oversized and potentially unstable, while a properly sized stand provides balance and visual harmony. The 69.61-inch width ensures that a large TV base fits comfortably within the top surface, and there’s often still room on the sides for small decor items or speakers. This ample width is a significant benefit for current TV sizes, which are trending larger.
Practical Dimensions and Height:
The overall dimensions of the Henn&Hart Hanson Rectangular TV Stand are 15.55″D x 69.61″W x 24.02″H. The depth is sufficient to support most TV bases and place components inside the cabinets without them sticking out. The width, as mentioned, handles larger TVs. The height of 24.02 inches is a comfortable viewing height for many standard seating arrangements, placing the center of a TV mounted just above it roughly at eye level when seated. Some users found the height shorter than expected based on pictures (perhaps influenced by the vertical lines on the doors), but the stated dimensions are accurate. Knowing the height is crucial for planning your room layout and ensuring comfortable viewing. For those who prefer a higher stand, modifications like adding taller legs (as one user successfully did) are possible, though this isn’t a standard feature.
Ample Storage with Doors:
One of the stand’s most functional aspects is its storage design, featuring four doors that open to reveal internal compartments (listed as 4 compartments, 4 shelves, and even 4 drawers in some descriptions, though the layout typically involves shelves behind doors creating compartments). This hidden storage is invaluable for keeping your living space tidy. Gaming consoles, DVD/Blu-ray players, streaming boxes, controllers, remotes, movies, games, or even toys (as one user mentioned) can be neatly tucked away, reducing visual clutter. The doors are a major benefit over open shelving for those who prefer a clean, minimalist look without seeing wires and devices. The challenge highlighted in reviews is the door alignment during assembly. While the hinges are designed to be adjustable (allowing sliding up/down before final tightening), achieving perfectly aligned doors requires patience and careful tweaking. Some users struggled with this, resulting in uneven gaps or doors that didn’t stay fully closed. This isn’t a flaw in the *concept* of the storage but in the *execution* of the assembly for some users.
Door Mechanisms and Hinges:
The stand uses hinges for the doors. User reviews specifically mention these hinges and the push-to-open or magnetic mechanism (referred to as a “push button/magnet” in one review) that keeps the doors shut. The alignment issues reported often relate to how these hinges are installed and adjusted. The design allows for some micro-adjustments, which is a positive feature intended to help with alignment. However, getting the hinges mounted correctly and adjusted so the door meets the latch squarely is key to ensuring the doors stay closed. One user noted that using fewer screws (two instead of four) per hinge into the MDF cabinet side might help prevent weakening the wood, a practical tip based on their experience. Another common issue mentioned was missing drilled holes for the back panel or hinges, or holes that didn’t quite line up perfectly, requiring tools like a small electric drill to correct or complete. While frustrating, these seem like assembly challenges rather than fundamental flaws in the door/hinge design itself, which *is* designed with adjustability.
Cable Management (Implied):
While the product description doesn’t explicitly call out specific cable management features like grommets or channels, the design with a back panel and internal compartments inherently provides some ability to manage cables. Cables can be routed within the compartments and potentially through gaps between the back panel and the main structure or through intentionally placed openings if they exist (one review mentioned tiny cable holes). The hidden storage behind the doors is a major plus for cable management, as it keeps the bulk of the wiring hidden from view. Users need to be prepared to route cables themselves, potentially needing to make small modifications depending on their specific setup and the location of power outlets and devices.
Assembly Experience:
Based on reviews, assembly is perhaps the most polarizing aspect of the Henn&Hart Hanson TV Stand. Estimated assembly times ranged from 2.5 to 3 hours for one person, suggesting it’s not a quick build. Common challenges included:
* Confusion with instructions, particularly regarding pre-drilled hole positions and which screws to use where.
* Need for additional tools like a small electric drill (as some holes are only partially drilled), a rubber mallet, and possibly needle-nose pliers.
* Difficulty aligning the doors, requiring patience and careful adjustment of the hinges.
* Occasional issues with screw quality (one user had a screw break).
* A confusing packaging piece initially resembling damage.
* Minor issues like missing screws or misaligned/missing pre-drilled holes for some components like the back panel.
Despite these challenges, many users reported successfully completing the assembly and being happy with the final product. The takeaway here is that assembly requires time, patience, careful attention to instructions, and potentially some basic DIY experience or willingness to use a drill for convenience. It’s not a simple click-together piece.
What Users Are Saying
After sifting through various comments and feedback online, it’s clear that many buyers are pleased with the Henn&Hart Hanson TV Stand, especially considering its price. Customers frequently praise its stylish appearance and the attractive black grain finish, often noting that it looks better in person than in pictures. The sturdiness once assembled and the ample storage space behind the doors are also commonly highlighted as major positives. While some users encountered difficulties with assembly, particularly with aligning the doors and dealing with occasional minor manufacturing or packaging issues like scratches or partially drilled holes, many found these problems manageable with patience or basic tools like an electric drill. Overall, the sentiment is that while assembly can be tricky, the finished product offers significant style and functionality at an affordable price point, making it a worthwhile purchase for many.
Wrapping Up the Experience
If your living space is suffering from a lack of organization and messy cables, a proper TV stand is the solution needed to bring order and style. Without it, clutter can quickly take over, creating an uninviting environment and potential safety hazards. The Henn&Hart Hanson Rectangular TV Stand stands out as a great option for several reasons: its ability to accommodate large televisions up to 75 inches, its attractive and versatile black grain finish that elevates your decor, and its generous hidden storage that helps keep everything tidy. Despite the potential for a slightly challenging assembly process, the finished product offers excellent value and functionality. If you’re ready to transform your entertainment area with a stylish and practical piece of furniture, click here to check out the Henn&Hart Hanson TV Stand and see if it’s the right fit for your home.