There are some lovely (okay, maybe not lovely, but palatable) TV consoles. We have one made of oak in "mission style".

Do you have the budget for a new bit of furniture?

I keep my flat panel television along with all of its attachments in an armoire. Another option, as MClarke posted, is a console in a style that matches your decor. The remotes will not work through the fabric, but there are eyes that you can attach to the peripherals that would allow the devices to be hidden behind fabric or doors and still operated by remote. I've linked one below, but I've never used this particular one. I just wanted to show you what they looked like.

Here is a link that might be useful: Remote extender

Find an antique buffet or armoire that would work in your decor -- and try the TV in there! You could even remove part of the backing from the buffet or armoire to fit in the other equipment or wires.

Another option would be a short, wide bookcase.

IMO it's not necessary in the 21st Century to hide TV's - they are a fact of life. I have my small flat screen sitting on my antique Singer sewing machine in my kitchen.

I currently don't have a TV in the LR (not an avid TV watcher) but will eventually get one again and I'll probably put it on an antique sideboard. It will be a sideboard I won't mind changing (ruining the antique value) as the boxes will have to go in the cubbies where the drawers are now and for comfortable viewing it will have to be one that is not too tall.

For formal traditionalists hiding the TV in an armoire or cabinet works well. I don't personally like TV's hanging on the wall but many do.

List that "beautiful chrome Z shaped stand" and sell it on Craigslist!

Speaking of Craigslist, there are a zillion TV armoires out there.

Here is my living room tv. It's small compared to the one in the family room and in the bookcase unit, virtually disappears. We had the bookcase unit and purposefully shopped for a tv that would fit into it.

BTW - the bookcase has undergone a major purging since this was taken and only has about half of the "stuff" in it as opposed to this pic when it was jam packed.

I just put a bath towel in front of our cable box. The remote turned the tv off and on and changed channels, so I would guess it would also work through a tablecloth which is probably thinner material than the towel.

Just tried covering it with two cloth napkins and it still worked. I think you should try the cloth before investing in a new piece of furniture!

I have an vintage oak buffet holding up our TV...all the components go inside the doors. We do have to keep the doors open for the remotes to work, but that also allows air flow for the cable boxes.

Yes, we did have to make a small hole in the back of the piece to accomodate all the cords.

Almost any table, dresser, or buffet will do the job and look much better than covering the current stand with fabric. Craigslist!

If you don't mind using a cabinet that is much deeper than necessary, you can find an armoire for a fantastic price on CL...most people don't want those deep cabinets anymore.

I found an awesome cream colored distressed one at Hobby Lobby about 3 years ago. Love It.

We recently had the same problem in our lake house which has an open plan in a long narrow living room. The last thing I wanted was more furniture so we took an old table and cut it in half, used L brackets to adhere the back part to the wall and it still has the two front legs. I left the top the dark wood and painted the legs the same color as the wall. Underneath it I put a large basket with a cover and all the components are inside, I cut a hole in the back of the basket and it looks great. Keeps it close to the wall and I still have the open room. We're very pleased with the result.

We have our flat screen on a mahogany sideboard. The cable box sits on the sideboard next to the tv. We don't have a lot of gaming things or other boxes hooked up so it looks fine to me.

I would also suggest a vintage credenza or sideboard. OTOH, we have a glass and black stand, but we looked at many before we found this one at the now-defunct Circuit City. If we had a cool credenza, it would block the heat vent behind the TV.

I wish we could hang on the wall, but with the layout we have, we have the TV below a window. Maybe if we totally flipped the room we could do it.

Hi, just wanted to post a picture of the old buffet we're using as a TV console. I love this piece, and only paid $150 for it. We took the bottom drawer out for equipment, and I'm looking for a metal grill for the front. We keep other equipment in the side cabinets, and some have to sit on top.

Cell phone pic, not great quality, sorry! But I love the look of unique furniture pieces for TV consoles.

yayagal I'd love to see a picture of your half table. I've looked at many repurposed items for media consoles but have not seen what you are describing. You should put it out there so it comes up on a search.

Miz_M, your console is beautiful. I really prefer the re-purposed furniture over the mass produced consoles. People usually remove the top drawer for components. Interesting that you used the bottom!