How to Choose a TV Unit That Hides All Your Cables UK

Few things undo a tidy living room quite like a tangle of cables behind the television. As the number of devices in our homes has grown, so has the pile of leads, plugs and adapters that come with them. The right TV unit can hide almost all of it, turning a messy corner into a clean, calm focal point. Here is how to choose one that genuinely solves the problem.

Look for Built In Cable Management

The single most useful feature is dedicated cable management. This usually means cut outs in the back panel, channels that guide leads down through the unit, and gaps that let cables pass between compartments. These details are easy to overlook in photos, so it is worth checking the description and the rear of any unit you consider.

Plenty of designs in our TV units range include these openings, which keep the back of the unit tidy and stop leads from spilling onto the floor.

Favour Closed Storage

Open shelving looks lovely with a few styled objects, but it does little to hide a router, a games console or a charging brick. Closed cupboards and drawers are far better at concealing the equipment that creates most of the clutter. A unit with a generous proportion of enclosed storage gives every device a home and keeps the wires with them.

For homes with a lot to store, our entertainment units offer enclosed compartments that swallow equipment and cables together, leaving the surfaces clear.

Consider Wall Mounting the Screen

If you mount the television on the wall, you remove the most visible cluster of cables from view. Combined with a low unit beneath, this creates a clean line where the leads can be routed neatly down and into the cabinet. A secure bracket is essential here, and our wall TV brackets hold screens firmly while keeping them close to the wall.

For the tidiest result, run the cables inside the wall where the construction allows, or use a slim surface channel painted to match.

Plan Your Power and Devices

Before you arrange everything, think about where your sockets sit and how many devices need power. A single extension block placed inside a cupboard keeps all the plugs in one concealed spot, with just one lead running to the wall socket. Group your devices so that related cables stay together, which makes future changes far less of a headache.

Leave a little slack in each cable so you can pull a device forward when you need to, without straining the connections.

Do Not Forget Ventilation

Hiding equipment is only sensible if it can still breathe. Devices such as receivers and consoles give off heat, so look for units with ventilation gaps or open backs in the relevant compartments. Good airflow protects your equipment and prevents the build up of heat in an enclosed space.

Tidy the Cables You Cannot Hide

Some leads will always need to reach a wall socket, so the goal is to manage rather than eliminate them. Bundling cables together with reusable ties keeps them from spreading across the floor, and a slim trunking run along the skirting can carry them discreetly to the unit. Labelling each lead at both ends saves a great deal of guesswork when you swap a device later.

It also helps to leave a service loop, a small amount of slack near each connection, so you can ease a device forward without tugging on the wiring. These small habits keep the finish clean and make future changes far less of a chore.

With the cables hidden and the devices cool, the unit can sit comfortably alongside the rest of your living room furniture as a clean, uncluttered anchor for the room. Browse the full range and the rest of our modern furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free UK delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What features hide cables best? Look for back panel cut outs, internal cable channels and closed storage. Together these guide leads down and out of sight and keep equipment concealed.

Should I wall mount the television to hide cables? It helps a great deal. Mounting the screen removes the most visible cables, and routing them into a low unit below keeps the line clean.

How do I stop equipment overheating in a closed unit? Choose a unit with ventilation gaps or open backs in the device compartments, and avoid sealing warm equipment into an airtight space.

Can I keep all the plugs in one place? Yes. An extension block placed inside a cupboard gathers the plugs together, with a single lead running to the wall socket for a tidy finish.

Are open shelves or closed cupboards better for hiding clutter? Closed cupboards and drawers are far better at concealing routers, consoles and cables. Open shelves suit a few styled objects, so a unit that combines both gives you display space without putting the messy items on show.