Make tv stand useable?

The weight of the piece is one indicator. Solid wood furniture is heavy. If the piece is fairly light-weight, it's probably not solid wood.

If the piece has drawers, look at the drawer construction. A great indicator of solid wood is dovetail construction. It's most likely constructed of solid wood if you see that tongue and groove construction where the drawer connects to the drawer front.

You'll also want to take a look at the sides and bottom of the piece. If there is a veneer, you will be able to look at it from the side and see where the sheet of veneer attaches to the front of the piece.

Also, if you see unfinished wood underneath the furniture, it's probably wood and not laminate – which tends to cover the furniture from top to bottom. Veneer will also have a horizontal grain pattern on the edges, whereas solid wood will have no grain on the edges. If you can feel the grain and see a varying pattern, it's probably solid wood. Sometimes it's hard to feel with your fingertips if it has been sealed, so you will have to use several ways of inspecting the piece to know for sure. If you see the grain but the pattern tends to repeat and it lacks texture and feels perfectly smooth, it's probably veneer. If it lacks grain altogether, it's most likely laminate.

Carved details can also be a clue. If the wood has an ornate or carved detailing, it is wood. Laminate and veneers cannot be carved.

it appears to be laminate but here is how to paint it and make it your own style

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEhcaG70-GM

https://www.classyclutter.net/how-to-paint-laminate-furniture/

Chalk paint it. The distress it.

I bought a table that has a wood bottom but the top was particle board. It had two large hunks out of the top. I filled them with wood putty sanded. Painted the top dark brown added a stencil of leaves on the two edges then added two coats of poly. The entire bottom was wood so I wiped it down with a dark stain like it was to cover any scratches and it turned our beautiful.

Would just sand it down lightly and re spray paint it

Hello. I would repaint it. Is your idea finish a classic painted finish, decorative or a layered distressed one? There are some interesting projects here on Hometalk to view.

Additionally if desired you could place a new wood top on the piece. The price of new wood at home improvement centers has recently skyrocketed, unless you have some existing on hand—-It might not be cost effective.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/goodwill-tv-stand-makeover-boring-to-fabulous-44269670

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/build/furniture/tv-stand-5051270

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/refinished-tv-stand-44252202

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/17-awesome-diy-tv-stands-33003488

It's particle board. Probably had a wood grain finish so it was painted black. You can scuff up the surface, prime, and paint. Stripping could affect the laminate. Sanding can dig beyond the laminate. That kind of furniture I usually scuff with a green kitchen scrubby, prime with Kilz and paint

Scuff with steel wool then wipe with Alcohol. Prime and paint.

You will have to sand the table down to the bare wood. Use an 80 grit sand paper with a palm sander then go to 120 grit and finally to 180-200 grit to make it completely smooth. Clean it really well to get the dust off. Use a wood conditioner before staining. I like General Finishes, but Minwax is readily available. Use a good sealer and you are done.

I hope you didn't spend a ton on it. If it was advertised as solid wood, I would try and get some money back. I'd either try to make it look like wood as the comments above recommend, or paint it a color you like that goes with your living/family room. I'm sure it will be great as a TV stand!

I am betting it's particle board. I would spray paint over it and start fresh.

You could chalk paint it