Categories: How To Guide For Your Home

The Complete Guide to Buying a TV Cabinet Online

To buy a TV cabinet online with confidence, measure your television, the wall and the route into the room; decide how much closed storage you need; check the cabinet dimensions, load rating and cable access in the product details; and read the delivery, assembly and returns information before you order. Most disappointments come from pieces that are the wrong size or lack the storage people assumed they would have, and both are easy to avoid with a little preparation.

A TV cabinet differs from an open stand in that it hides most of its contents behind doors or drawers. That makes it a good choice for households with lots of equipment, games or clutter to tuck away. You can compare a wide variety of styles, from compact cabinets to full width media units, in our modern TV cabinets UK collection, and it helps to think of the cabinet as one part of your wider living room furniture UK sale scheme rather than a standalone purchase.

Step One: Measure Everything Twice

Accurate measurements are the foundation of a good online purchase. Take a tape measure and note the following.

Television width: measure the screen itself, including the frame, rather than relying on the diagonal screen size. The cabinet should be at least as wide, and preferably a little wider.
Television stand footprint: if the TV sits on feet rather than being wall mounted, check how far apart the feet are and how deep they are. Some screens have feet at the far edges, which needs a wider cabinet.
Wall space: measure the full width available, noting radiators, sockets, skirting boards and window frames.
Depth: measure how far the cabinet can come into the room without blocking walkways or doors.
Access route: check doorways, staircases and tight corners. Even flat packed items arrive in long boxes, and fully assembled cabinets need a clear path.

It helps to mark the footprint on the floor with masking tape. Seeing the outline in place gives a much better sense of scale than numbers alone.

Step Two: Decide What You Need to Store

Make a list of everything that will live in or on the cabinet. Common items include a soundbar, games consoles, controllers, a streaming box, a router, DVDs or vinyl, remote controls and chargers. Then consider how you want to store them.

Closed doors keep things tidy and reduce dust. Drawers are better for small items such as controllers and cables. Open shelves are handy for devices that need airflow or line of sight for a remote. Many cabinets combine all three, which is often the most practical arrangement.

If audio equipment is a priority, a dedicated piece may suit you better. Our hifi stands and units UK are designed with separates and turntables in mind, and they can sit alongside a TV cabinet. For large film or music collections, CD and DVD storage UK units keep discs organised without crowding the main cabinet.

Step Three: Choose the Right Height

Height is one of the most overlooked details. For a television sitting on the cabinet, the centre of the screen should be roughly at eye level when you are seated. For most sofas, that means a fairly low cabinet. A tall cabinet with a large screen on top can lead to neck strain over a long evening.

If your TV is wall mounted, the cabinet height matters less for viewing but still affects the look of the wall. A low, long cabinet creates a calm horizontal line, while a taller cabinet adds more storage and suits rooms where the TV sits higher.

Step Four: Understand Materials and Finishes

Product descriptions use a range of terms, and it helps to know what they mean.

Solid wood: made entirely from timber. Heavy, durable and able to be sanded and refinished, though it can move slightly with changes in humidity.
Veneer: a thin layer of real wood over a stable board. It gives the look of timber with good stability.
MDF and engineered board: stable, smooth and easy to paint or lacquer. Quality varies, so look at the thickness of panels and the finish.
High gloss: a lacquered finish that reflects light and suits contemporary rooms. It wipes clean easily but shows fingerprints.
Glass: used for tops, shelves or doors. Toughened glass is standard for furniture and is much stronger than ordinary glass.
Metal: often used for legs, frames and handles. Black, brass and chrome each change the character of the piece.

Think about how the finish will sit with your existing furniture, flooring and the rest of your living room pieces. Matching every surface is not necessary, but the cabinet should feel as though it belongs.

Step Five: Check the Practical Details

Good product pages include information that tells you how the cabinet will perform day to day. Look for:

Maximum load: the weight the top can safely carry. Make sure it exceeds the weight of your television and anything else you plan to place on it.
Cable access: holes, cut outs or open backs let you run cables neatly.
Ventilation: consoles and amplifiers produce heat, so compartments need airflow.
Door types: glass or fabric fronts let remote signals pass through. Solid doors may require you to open them or use a repeater.
Adjustable shelves: useful for fitting equipment of different heights.
Assembly: whether the cabinet arrives assembled or needs building, and roughly how involved that is.

Step Six: Read Reviews and Look at Real Photos

Studio photographs show a product at its best. Customer reviews and photos taken in real homes give a more honest sense of colour, finish and size. Look for comments about assembly, how well doors align and whether the colour matches the listing. A pattern of similar comments is more useful than a single glowing or negative review.

Remember that screens display colour differently. A grey that looks cool on one device may appear warmer on another. If the exact shade matters, read the description carefully and compare it with other products in the same finish.

Step Seven: Plan for Delivery and Assembly

Before you order, check what delivery involves. Larger cabinets may be delivered by a two person team, while smaller ones may come by courier. Consider whether you need to be at home, whether the delivery includes carrying the item into a specific room and whether you will need help lifting boxes.

If assembly is required, clear a space large enough to lay out all the panels. Work on a soft surface such as a rug or the flattened packaging to avoid scratches. Follow the instructions in order, keep fittings sorted and do not fully tighten every screw until the frame is square. For heavier or taller cabinets, use the anti tip fixings supplied, particularly in homes with young children or pets.

Step Eight: Know the Returns Position

Buying furniture online means you cannot touch it first, so understanding the returns process gives peace of mind. Returns are available up to 30 days. Keep the original packaging until you are sure the cabinet suits your room, and check it carefully on arrival so any issues can be reported promptly.

Common Mistakes When Buying Online

Measuring the diagonal screen size and assuming that is the width.
Forgetting skirting boards, which push the cabinet away from the wall.
Choosing a cabinet too tall for comfortable viewing from the sofa.
Underestimating how much equipment needs to be stored.
Overlooking the depth required for a soundbar or console to fit inside.
Not checking whether doors will open fully against nearby furniture or walls.

Matching the Cabinet to the Room

Finally, step back and consider the room as a whole. In a small room, a cabinet on legs or with a lighter finish keeps things feeling open. In a larger room, a longer, more substantial cabinet can anchor the space. In open plan homes, the cabinet may also act as a visual boundary between zones, so its back may be visible and should be finished neatly.

If you are weighing up specific finishes, our article on whether high gloss TV units suit UK homes covers the practical pros and cons. For smaller rooms, our guide to choosing corner TV units on a UK budget explains where quality matters most.

Ready to Choose

A TV cabinet is a piece you will use every day, so it deserves a little planning. Measure carefully, list your storage needs, check the practical details and read what other buyers say. Then you can order knowing the cabinet should fit both your room and your routine. You can browse our full range at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How wide should a TV cabinet be compared to the TV?

The cabinet should be at least as wide as the television, ideally a little wider. This looks balanced and gives space for a soundbar or decorative items either side.

What height TV cabinet is best for a living room?

Choose a height that puts the centre of the screen near seated eye level. For most sofas, this means a relatively low cabinet.

Can a TV cabinet hold a wall mounted TV?

A cabinet does not hold a wall mounted TV, but it sits beneath it for storage. Make sure the cabinet width and height work visually with the screen above.