Everything You Need to Know About Low Storage Units

A low storage unit is any cabinet, sideboard or shelving piece that sits below roughly waist height, typically somewhere between 40cm and 90cm tall. Its main advantages are that it keeps sightlines open, makes rooms feel larger and gives you a usable surface on top for lamps, art and everyday objects. Low units suit living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and spaces under windows or sloping ceilings, and the right one depends on its height, depth, door style and the weight it needs to carry.

Because they work so hard while taking up so little visual space, low units are among the most useful pieces you can own in a British home, where rooms are often compact and walls are interrupted by radiators, windows and doors. Our range of modern storage furniture UK sale includes low designs in a wide range of finishes, and this guide covers what to consider before choosing one.

What counts as a low storage unit?

There is no fixed definition, but low storage generally means furniture that stays below the eye line when you are standing. That includes sideboards, media units, low bookcases, cube units, shoe cabinets and long credenzas. What they share is a horizontal emphasis: they tend to be wider than they are tall, and they treat the top surface as part of the design.

Within the wider family of living room furniture UK, low storage often acts as the link between seating, the television and the walls, quietly holding the room together. The most familiar example is the sideboard, and our range of modern sideboards UK shows how varied the form can be, from compact cabinets to long media consoles. In entrances, purpose built shoe storage cabinets UK are another form of low storage, designed with especially shallow depths.

Why choose low over tall?

Tall storage holds more per square metre of floor, so why would anyone choose low? The answer is how a room feels.

• Openness: low furniture leaves the upper half of the wall clear, which makes ceilings feel higher and rooms brighter.
• Flexibility: the space above can hold art, mirrors, shelves or simply nothing, and can change as often as you like.
• Usable surface: the top doubles as a display or landing spot for lamps, books, plants and post.
• Window friendly: low units can sit beneath windows without blocking light, which is useful in rooms with limited wall space.
• Safety: they have a lower centre of gravity and are less likely to tip, which matters in family homes.

The trade off is capacity. A low unit holds less, so it suits rooms where you have edited your belongings or have other storage elsewhere.

Heights and what they suit

Low storage covers a range of heights, and each band works best for different jobs.

Around 40cm to 55cm: very low units read almost as plinths. They suit media walls, Japandi and minimalist interiors and spaces under windows with low sills. They are also comfortable for small children to reach.

Around 55cm to 75cm: this is a versatile middle height. It works for TV units, low bookcases and hallway cabinets, and lines up well with the arm height of most sofas.

Around 75cm to 90cm: this is typical sideboard height. The top is at a comfortable level for serving, placing a lamp or dropping keys, and the extra height increases storage without dominating the wall.

If you are using a low unit for a television, the screen centre should ideally sit close to eye level when you are seated. Our guide to low TV unit measurements for UK rooms explains how to calculate this for your seating.

Depth matters more than you think

Depth affects both function and how much floor a unit claims. Shallow units of around 30cm to 35cm suit hallways and narrow rooms. Standard depths of 40cm to 45cm work for most living room sideboards and media units. Deeper units of 50cm or more hold larger items but can feel bulky in small spaces.

In hallways especially, every centimetre counts. Leaving enough clear walkway is essential for daily comfort and safety. Our article on hallway furniture depth and corridor clearance in UK homes is worth reading before choosing anything for an entrance or corridor.

Doors, drawers or open shelves?

The front of a low unit determines how it looks and how useful it is day to day.

Hinged doors conceal clutter completely and are the most common option. Check that they can open fully without hitting nearby furniture.

Sliding doors save space in front of the unit, which helps in narrow rooms, though only half of the interior is accessible at once.

Drawers are excellent for small items such as cables, remote controls, cutlery or stationery. A unit with a row of drawers above cupboards gives the best of both.

Open shelving keeps the piece visually light and suits books and baskets, but everything is on show. A mix of open and closed sections often works best.

Where low storage works well

Living rooms

A low sideboard or media unit along the main wall provides a base for the television, a place for lamps and concealed space for games, electronics and paperwork. Long, low designs suit both modern and traditional rooms, especially when the finish echoes the floor or seating.

Under windows

Bay windows and wide sills are common in British terraced and semi detached homes. A low unit beneath the window uses otherwise wasted space, especially if you add a cushion on top to create a reading seat. Check radiator positions first, and leave enough gap for warm air to circulate.

Hallways

Slim low cabinets give a landing spot for keys and post while hiding shoes underneath. Shoe cabinets with tilting compartments are a practical choice for narrow entrances, since they hold pairs upright in very little depth.

Bedrooms

A low chest or unit at the foot of the bed or beneath a window adds storage without crowding the room. Low pieces are also helpful in loft rooms where sloping ceilings rule out anything tall.

Children’s rooms and playrooms

Low cube units with baskets let children reach and tidy their own toys, which encourages independence and makes reset time quicker.

Materials and finishes

Solid wood and veneered units bring warmth and age well. Oak suits Scandinavian and rustic schemes, while walnut leans towards mid century and more formal rooms. High gloss reflects light and wipes clean easily, which suits contemporary interiors and darker rooms. Painted and matt finishes give a soft, modern look, though they can show marks more readily. Metal frames with wood or glass fronts work in industrial and urban spaces.

Consider legs too. A unit raised on legs shows more floor, which makes a room feel larger, while a plinth base looks more solid and grounded and stops dust from gathering underneath.

Styling the top

The surface of a low unit is prime display space. A simple formula works well: one item with height, such as a lamp or tall vase; one with width, such as a stack of books or a tray; and one with life, such as a plant. Leave clear space between them.

The wall above opens up plenty of options. A large piece of art, centred and hung so its lower edge sits around 20cm to 25cm above the unit, connects the two visually. A long mirror bounces light around. A pair of wall lights either side frames the arrangement.

Weight and build quality

Low units often carry heavy loads: televisions, books, lamps and stacks of plates. Check the stated maximum load for both the top and the shelves, particularly if a unit will support a large screen. Look for solid back panels, sturdy hinges and soft close mechanisms, which all indicate better construction.

Although low units are less prone to tipping, it is still sensible to secure any unit with a television on top, especially in homes with young children.

Measuring before you buy

Measure the width of the wall, noting radiators, sockets, skirting boards and door swings. Allow a gap at each end so the unit does not look squeezed in. Check the depth against walkways, and confirm the delivery route through your front door, stairs and hallway. Low units are often long, so turning circles in narrow halls are worth checking in advance.

A low storage unit is one of the most adaptable pieces of furniture you can choose, offering calm, open rooms with useful surfaces and discreet storage. You can browse all our storage designs at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

What height is a low storage unit?

Low storage units usually range from about 40cm to 90cm tall. Very low pieces suit minimalist and media walls, while units closer to 90cm are typical of sideboards.

Can a low storage unit go under a window?

Yes, and it is one of the best uses for one. Check the sill height and any radiator position first, leaving space for air to circulate around the heater.

Are low units good for small rooms?

They are very good for small rooms because they leave the upper wall clear, which makes the space feel larger and brighter while still providing storage.

How deep should a low storage unit be?

Around 30cm to 35cm suits hallways, while 40cm to 45cm is standard for living room sideboards and media units. Deeper units hold more but take up more floor space.