The Complete Guide to Buying a TV Unit with Storage Online

The simplest way to buy a TV unit with storage online is to start with measurements and a storage list, not with photographs. Measure the wall, the screen and the route into the room, write down everything that needs a home, and only then begin comparing designs. A unit that suits your belongings and your floor space will always look better than one chosen on style alone.

Online shopping gives you far more choice than a single showroom, and our range of modern TV units UK sale covers low media benches, tall cabinets and wide storage pieces in many finishes. The trade off is that you cannot open a drawer or run your hand along the top before you order. This guide explains how to make those judgements from a product page with confidence.

Start With the Wall, Not the Unit

Stand back from the wall where the television will sit and look at what surrounds it. Radiators, sockets, aerial points, window frames and skirting boards all affect how wide and how tall the unit can be. A piece that looks balanced in a photograph can crowd a radiator or block a socket once it is in place.

Measure the full usable width of the wall, then subtract at least 10 cm on each side so the unit has breathing room. In a chimney breast room, measure the alcoves separately, because many people end up placing storage there rather than directly under the screen. Note the height of any window sill too, since a tall cabinet next to a window can cut into the light.

A useful trick is to mark the footprint of the unit on the floor with masking tape and leave it for a day. Walk around it, open the door to the room and sit on the sofa. You will quickly notice if the depth pushes into a walkway or if the width feels too heavy for the wall.

Match the Unit to the Screen

As a general rule, a TV unit looks settled when it is wider than the television it supports. A few centimetres on either side is the minimum, and a unit noticeably wider than the screen tends to look more intentional. Check the width of the television stand or feet as well, because some screens have feet near the outer edges that need a wide top surface.

Height matters for comfort. When you are seated, the centre of the screen should sit roughly at eye level or slightly below. For most sofas that means a unit somewhere between knee and hip height. Very low units suit wall mounted screens, where the unit becomes a storage base rather than a stand.

Always check the stated weight capacity of the top surface. Larger screens are lighter than they used to be, but a soundbar, a console and a stack of books can add up. The product description should list a maximum load, and it is worth leaving a comfortable margin.

Make an Honest Storage List

This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest difference. Write down every item that will live in or on the unit. For many homes the list looks something like this:

• A broadband router and a streaming box
• One or two games consoles with controllers and headsets
• A soundbar or small speaker system
• Remote controls, chargers and spare batteries
• Board games, books or a few treasured DVDs and records
• Everyday clutter such as coasters, candles and paperwork

Once the list is written, sort it into two groups: things that need airflow and signal, and things that can be shut away. Routers and consoles run warm and need ventilation. Games and paperwork can happily sit behind a closed door. That split tells you what kind of storage to look for.

Drawers, Doors or Open Shelves

Each storage type suits a different job, and the most practical units combine two or three of them.

Open shelves are the right home for electronics. They let heat escape, keep infrared remotes working and make it easy to swap cables. Check the clear height between shelves, because a console standing upright needs more space than one lying flat.

Doors hide clutter and give a calm, uninterrupted front. Glass or slatted doors are a good middle ground: they keep dust off equipment while still letting a remote signal through. Solid doors are better for games, craft supplies or anything you would rather not see.

Drawers are excellent for small items that otherwise drift around the room: cables, controllers, instruction booklets and chargers. Look for drawers on smooth runners and check the internal depth, not just the front height.

Read the Internal Dimensions

Product pages usually lead with overall width, height and depth. Those numbers tell you whether the unit fits the room. The internal dimensions tell you whether it fits your belongings, and they are often several centimetres smaller once you allow for panels, backs and door thickness.

Measure your largest items and compare them against the internal sizes listed. A soundbar that is slightly too long for a shelf will end up on top of the unit, which may block the bottom of the screen. A console that only fits lying flat may leave no room for the controller dock next to it.

If internal sizes are not listed, contact the retailer before ordering. We are always happy to measure a product for customers, and it is a far easier conversation than a return.

Plan for Cables and Ventilation

Good cable management separates a tidy unit from one that looks messy within a week. Look for cut outs or grommets in the back panel, removable backs, or open rear sections behind shelves. These let cables pass through without drilling.

Think about where your sockets and aerial point are. If they sit to one side of the wall, a unit with cable access only in the centre may leave long runs of wire visible. Some people add a slim cable tray underneath the top, which works well with most modern designs.

Ventilation matters for anything that runs for hours at a time. A closed cabinet with a console inside can become warm, which is not good for the equipment. Choose an open compartment for electronics, or a door with slats or glass and a gap at the rear.

Judging Materials You Cannot Touch

Photographs can flatter a finish, so read the materials section closely. Solid wood, veneer, lacquer, high gloss, glass and metal all behave differently in daily use.

Solid wood and wood veneer bring warmth and age gracefully, though they can mark if drinks are left without a coaster. High gloss and lacquered finishes reflect light and suit smaller rooms, but they show fingerprints and dust more readily. Tempered glass tops are easy to wipe and look light, while metal frames add strength and a slimmer profile.

Consider how the finish sits with the rest of your furniture. A TV unit does not need to match every piece exactly, but it should share at least one quality, whether that is colour, tone or leg style. Browsing our wider modern living room furniture UK range is a good way to see how a TV unit will sit alongside sofas, chairs and tables in the same finish family.

Spread Storage Around the Room

A TV unit does not have to hold everything. Many customers pair a media unit with one of our modern sideboards UK sale in a similar finish, which spreads storage around the room without making the television wall feel crowded.

For households with physical media, dedicated CD and DVD storage UK can take pressure off the TV unit itself. Keeping the main unit for electronics and daily items, and moving collections to a separate tower or shelf, often looks tidier than trying to squeeze everything into one piece.

If you are still deciding between storage styles, our sister guide on placing a TV unit with doors in a UK living room looks at how closed storage changes the way a room feels and flows.

Check Assembly and Delivery Details

Before ordering, find out whether the unit arrives assembled or flat packed, and how many boxes to expect. Assembled pieces save time but need a clear route into the room. Flat packed units are easier to carry but need space and patience to build.

Measure every doorway, hallway corner and stair turn on the way to the living room. A long unit may need to be carried upright round a tight landing, so compare the diagonal measurement against the space available. Clear the room before delivery so there is space to unpack and inspect.

We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days. It is still worth checking the product page for any specific delivery notes, particularly on larger or heavier pieces.

A Quick Checklist Before You Order

• The unit is wider than the television and leaves space around radiators and sockets
• The height puts the screen at a comfortable viewing level from your seat
• Internal shelf and drawer sizes fit your largest items
• There is ventilation and cable access for electronics
• The finish suits your floor and nearby furniture
• The unit will fit through every door and turn on the way in

If you would like more help thinking through the details, our guide to questions to ask before buying an entertainment unit in the UK covers some of the finer points. When you are ready to browse, you can explore the full range at Furniture in Fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much wider than the TV should a TV unit be?

Aim for a unit that is at least a few centimetres wider than the screen on each side. A unit that is noticeably wider tends to look more balanced and gives space for a lamp, a plant or a speaker.

Can I keep a router inside a closed TV cabinet?

It is better to keep routers on an open shelf or behind a glass or slatted door. Solid doors and backs can weaken the signal and trap heat.

What depth of TV unit do I need?

Check the depth of your television stand and your largest device. Many units sit somewhere around 40 cm deep, but shallower designs work well when the screen is wall mounted.

Is a TV unit with drawers better than one with doors?

Neither is better on its own. Drawers suit small items such as cables and controllers, while doors suit larger items and give a cleaner front. Many households find a mix of both works best.