TV lift furniture is growing in popularity rapidly throughout the world, and one specific type of TV lift furniture that is becoming especially popular is bedroom TV lift furniture. This may be because, in this age of streaming, we all want to be able to watch our favorite shows whenever and wherever we want, including in our bedrooms, but nobody wants to ruin their bedroom by making a TV the focal point. This is where the TV lift footboard comes into play.
So, what are TV lift footboards?
Let’s take a few minutes to go over the main points and questions regarding TV lift footboards. The main points we will address are (1) the different names for a footboard with a TV in it, (2) what’s the difference between a TV bed and a TV lift footboard?, and (3) what different options should be considered in purchasing a TV footboard? If these topics don’t address your questions, feel free to give us a call at 801-901-8249, or shoot us an email at [email protected].
Meet the TV Footboard Family
The first thing you need to know when learning about and footboard with a TV in it is what the different names are. There really is no standard name for a footboard TV lift. In fact, designers and manufacturers call them different things based simply their preference. Here are the main names you’ll want to be familiar with: footboard TV lift, TV footboard, or TV lift footboard. Regardless of what the designer or manufacturers call them, the concept is the exact same; it’s just a bed with a TV in the footboard.
It’s important to know these different names because, frankly, finding a good bed with a TV in the footboard can be a little tricky. Each website calls them something different, so when you are on a quest to find the best footboard TV lift on the market, you’ll want to know that there are many different names and titles, but they all mean exactly the same thing. Additionally, throughout our posts and web pages you’ll find that we use all of the terms interchangeably. While this can be a little confusing, just remember that we are talking about the same cabinets even if the names can vary.
What it is not.
As important as discussing what a footboard TV lift is, it’s also very important to distinguish what a footboard TV lift is not. We’ll discuss the difference between a TV bed and a TV lift footboard in our next section, but there’s one more term that tends to get floated around in the TV lift furniture world that you should know about. This term is “ end-of-bed TV lift cabinet.” Now, because there’s really no standard use for any of these terms, it’s really difficult to say what every individual or organization means when they say “end-of-bed TV lift cabinet.” However, in our experience, we have found that there are a couple of key differences between a footboard TV lift cabinet and an end-of-bed TV lift cabinet.
Two ways to put a TV in your Footboard
First off, it may seem obvious, but a TV footboard is just that: It’s a footboard. This means that it is the full width of your bed and blends in as an inconspicuous piece of your bed. This also means that it attaches to your bed frame and acts in every way as a normal footboard. On the other hand, an end-of-bed TV cabinet is typically not the full width of your bed, and kind of just sits at the foot of the bed awkwardly. Just watching you sleep. I’m obviously joking, but there really is something inherently uncomfortable about most end-of-bed TV lift cabinets! They just look conspicuous, unstylish, and awkward in most cases. Call me crazy, but is an awkwardly placed TV lift cabinet any better than just hanging your TV on the wall? So, the real difference between a TV lift footboard and an end-of-bed TV lift cabinet is that a TV lift footboard is literally just a part of your bed. It’s just your bed with a TV lift in the footboard. An end-of-bed TV cabinet is just a cabinet that sits oddly close to your bed but is not a footboard. And it just sits there, awkwardly, like that friend who came over uninvited and doesn’t know when it’s time to go home.
What’s the difference between a TV bed and a footboard TV lift?
Now that we’ve had an opportunity to “meet the TV footboard family” and have gotten to know the various terms whereby footboard TV lift cabinets are called, including those weird cousins the end-of-bed TV lift cabinets, it’s time we make another distinction: What is the difference between a full-blown TV bed and a TV lift footboard? The answer is actually very simple, a TV bed is an actual bed with a TV in the footboard, whereas a TV lift footboard is only the footboard. This means that a TV bed includes the headboard, the TV lift footboard, side rails, and (in some cases) an actual wooden frame to support the box spring and mattress. The key benefit to a TV bed is that it looks really sleek and uniform. Everything matches in your room and most people would never guess that there was a TV in the footboard.
Style
While both options are better than most alternatives, a TV bed is the top-of-the-line when it comes to TV lift furniture in the bedroom. It is uniform, it matches in style and color, it all comes from the same source, and it is the least conspicuous TV lift solution in a bedroom setting. While we have seen people get pretty creative to try and make their TV lift footboard blend in with their room, it simply never matches as well as an actual TV lift bed. You just simply cannot beat it.
Ease of Installation
One final difference between a footboard TV lift and a TV bed is that a TV bed, because it is all built by the same organization, it all fits together nicely. This means that you don’t have to worry about how you’re going to mount the footboard to the bed frame or anything like that. Because it is one solid, stand-alone piece of bedroom furniture, it is designed to be sturdy and simple to set up. On the other hand, a footboard with a TV in it will have to be mounted to an existing bed frame or mattress deck. A stand-alone TV footboard is just not stable enough to be left unmounted.
Cost
The obvious benefit of the TV lift footboard over the TV bed is cost. If you aren’t buying the headboard and side rails with the bed, you can really save a bundle. The other benefit is that, if you like your headboard, you can keep your headboard. Although, we at Wildwood may not be able to match your footboard TV lift cabinet to your existing headboard, so you may end up with a bit of a mismatch. But, at the end of the day, you’re getting a bed with a built-in TV either way, and that’s really the whole idea, right?
What to look for in a TV lift footboard
The last topic to touch on here is what you should look for when buying a TV lift footboard. While the main points are the same as buying any other piece of furniture (construction material, quality, style, etc.) there are some unique features of TV lift furniture that you should take into consideration when finding the right TV footboard (or any other TV lift furniture, really).
Cabinet Depth
First, how deep is the cabinet? Many TV lift cabinets and end-of-bed TV lift cabinets are quite deep. If you are looking to hide your TV, would you really prefer to stick it in an enormous cabinet? That seems like one step in the right direction and two steps in the wrong direction. This is especially true with TV lift footboards; if you have a footboard that’s 13” or 14” deep you have taken one eye sore out of your bedroom (your TV) and replaced it with a new one (an enormous footboard).
What TV to Use
Secondly, what TV are you planning on using? Some TV lift furniture manufacturers offer TVs with their furniture, I’d recommend going this route. This is because TVs are not really standardized, so there are many different variables that could affect whether or not a TV will work with your piece of furniture. The last thing you want is to receive your new piece of furniture that you are so excited about, only to find that your TV won’t work with it. If you don’t want to purchase a TV with your piece of TV lift furniture, make sure you read the TV information very carefully. Specifically, look for accepted VESA patterns, acceptable size of TV, and depth of TV. Those three factors aren’t the only ones that we consider at Wildwood when finding the right TV, but they’re a solid start.
If you want a bed with a built-in TV, you have a few options. Hopefully, this information has helped to inform you of the most important things to know about TV lift footboards and TV lift furniture in general. At Wildwood, we really believe that, if you only want your TV in your bedroom when you’re using it, there’s no better solution than hiding it in your footboard. It’s like magic! You snap your fingers and, alakazam! your TV disappears and you have a warm, inviting bedroom again. Obviously, we can’t answer every question here, so feel free to give us a call at 801-901-8249 or email us at [email protected] with any additional questions.
