Wood TV stands that do more than hold a TV
Most TV stands are a closed particleboard box built to do one thing — hold a TV — and they dominate the wall doing it. We don't make a box. We make open shelving that works as a TV stand and keeps earning its space.
The 45-inch Modern Shelf is a small TV stand sized for the console, a speaker, a few books, and a plant — not just the screen. Set two Modular Shelf units side by side for a wider media wall that reconfigures as your setup changes. Both are premium-grade plywood, slot together without tools, and ship unfinished so you can stain or paint them to match the room.
Panels slot together in minutes with zero tools. No hardware bag, no hex wrench, no instructions to lose.
In stock and ready to ship from our San Diego workshop. No eight-week backorder waits.
Open shelving for the console, speakers, records, books, and plants — not a single-purpose box.
Raw, unfinished premium-grade plywood. Stain it walnut, paint it black, or leave the grain natural.
The Modern Shelf, used as a small TV stand
Modular Shelf for media and records
A TV Stand That Earns Its Wall
Two open-shelf builds, used as TV stands — from a small 45-inch stand to a full media wall.
The 45-inch Modern Shelf is the right size for apartments and bedrooms — a small TV stand that sits a TV up top with open shelves below for the console, a speaker, and a few books. It holds the screen without swallowing the room.
Run two Modular Shelf units side by side and you've got a low, wide media console for a larger TV — with cubbies for components, baskets, and a record collection.
Because the Modern Shelf and Modular Shelf are open shelving, they do double duty — the same piece that holds the TV also displays books, plants, and frames, so it reads like furniture, not an electronics stand.
Cubbies in the Modular Shelf are sized for vinyl, a receiver, a console, and the boxes that usually end up in a tangle behind the TV. Everything gets a spot, nothing gets hidden in a cabinet you forget about.
Upgrade the TV, move apartments, change the layout — the Modular Shelf rearranges and adds units instead of getting replaced. A TV stand that adapts instead of getting donated.
Both ship unfinished, so the Modern Shelf and Modular Shelf match your room instead of fighting it — walnut stain for warmth, matte black for a media look, or natural for Scandinavian.
TV Stand Questions, Answered
Can a shelf be used as a TV stand?
Yes — open shelving makes one of the most flexible TV stands you can buy. The 45-inch Modern Shelf works as a small TV stand, and two Modular Shelf units form a wider media wall. Both hold the TV plus the console, speakers, and everything that usually clutters around it. We wrote a whole guide on using a Modular Shelf as a TV stand.
What size TV fits the 45-inch Modern Shelf?
As a small TV stand, the 45-inch-wide Modern Shelf comfortably sits under a TV up to about 50 inches — the rule of thumb is a stand at least as wide as the screen so nothing overhangs. For a 55-inch TV or larger, run two Modular Shelf units side by side for the extra width.
How do I finish an unfinished TV stand?
Premium-grade plywood takes stain, paint, and clear coat well. Dark walnut stain reads warm and high-end; matte black paint gives it a built-for-media look; a clear coat keeps the natural grain. See our guide to painting unfinished wood.
TV Stand & Finishing Guides
Let customers speak for us
The shelves are wonderful, quick to assemble, sturdy and attractive
i LOVE my unfinished shelf. nice to know i can one day paint it or finish it with another color without needing to strip it. right now, i'm keeping it simple since the rest of the decor in my home is so busy and it looks great holding all my coffee cart items and created so much more open space for me. my only complaint is that the horizontal shelves aren't sitting very flush with the wall, but it has not become an issue, and is better than the shelves being overcut and having them jut out into the wall. FIVE STARS!!!!
Easy peasy to put together. I was surprised at how well it stained. I used a quick dry oil based combination of 1 part light walnut and 2 parts dark walnut. Very happy with the table.
AMAZING! Seller and product are both 5 stars!
Absolutely thrilled with this bookshelf. It’s an absolutely perfect addition to my photography studio. I love the simple Scandinavian design and ease of putting it together. Have already referred friends to this lovely company.
so easy to put together and it looks SO cute in my apartment! i will definitely be shopping here again!
Easy purchase experience, item shipped quickly, assembly instructions were clear. I would purchase again and probably will.
perfect little bookcase. simple, sturdy and unobtrusive. I love it
Great company
Shelves came fast and were easy to put up. They also feel very heavy and you can tell they’re good quality.
Nice and high quality product.
Lovely shelf and just was exactly what I wanted
These shelves are beautiful and exactly as expected. I am very happy with my purchase. The only thing to note is that the “hanger” in the back is pretty shallow and is not reinforced, just hollowed out of the plywood. I would not use those hangers for hardly any weight. Instead, I drilled new holes into the vertical pieces at the spot where a shelf inserts, then used long screws to attach these shelves to the wall with drywall anchors. If you don’t mind doing that bit yourself you’ll love these like I do!
Simple and clean. Easiest to assemble.
I was absolutely blown away by how this Unfnshed side table completed my space. It was also a fraction of the price of the other options I was considering!
I’d highly recommend the product and am now considering replacing a few of my older shelves with the ones offered by Unfnshed.