A tall TV unit in the UK usually stands between 100cm and 180cm high. Designs at the lower end of that range, often called highboard or tallboy TV units, lift the screen slightly above a standard low unit. Designs at the upper end are closer to a storage tower or wall system, with the television sitting on a central shelf and cabinets or shelving above and below. Widths generally run from 50cm to 120cm, and depths from 35cm to 50cm.
That range is broad because tall units do different jobs. Some are designed for bedrooms, where the screen needs to be visible from a bed. Others are built as full storage walls for living rooms. If you are comparing options, our collection of modern entertainment units UK shows how varied the proportions can be. The rest of this guide explains the common sizes in more detail and how to work out which suits your room.
The height of a TV unit determines where your eyes land when you watch. For comfortable viewing, the centre of the screen should sit close to eye level when you are seated. On a typical sofa, that is somewhere around 100cm to 110cm from the floor, depending on the depth of the cushions and your own height.
A standard low unit is 40cm to 60cm high. Place a 50 inch television on it and the centre of the screen lands close to that ideal eye level. A tall unit changes the arithmetic. If the screen shelf is at 90cm, the centre of a large screen might end up at 125cm or higher, which is fine from a bed or a raised seat but can strain your neck from a low sofa.
Across our wider range of TV stands and units UK, tall designs fall into a few broad bands. These are general guides rather than fixed rules, since every manufacturer sets its own dimensions.
These look like a chest of drawers or a sideboard with a slightly raised top. The television sits on the top surface, and storage is underneath in drawers or cupboards. They suit bedrooms particularly well, where the viewer is often sitting up in bed or lying at a higher angle than on a sofa.
Narrower and taller, these units usually hold a smaller screen on an open shelf, with space for a speaker, console or books above. They work in studio flats and box rooms where floor space is limited, and they can stand beside a larger wall mounted screen as a companion storage piece.
These are closer to a bookcase or cabinet with a dedicated television opening. They make a strong visual statement and can replace several separate pieces of furniture. Because of their height, they need to be fixed to the wall and placed with some care around windows and radiators.
Some modular systems combine a low base with wall hung cabinets and shelves. The total height can reach the ceiling. These are technically several pieces rather than one tall unit, but they fill the same role and offer the most flexibility in layout.
Width is where tall units vary most. Narrow towers can be as slim as 45cm to 60cm. Highboard units are typically 80cm to 120cm across, similar to a chest of drawers. Full storage units range widely, with some reaching 150cm or more when they include side shelving.
Depth is more consistent. Most tall units are 35cm to 45cm deep. Anything shallower may struggle to hold a television base securely. Anything deeper begins to dominate a small room, particularly when the unit is also tall.
As a rough guide, the television opening or top surface should be a little wider than the screen itself. These are approximate screen widths without stands:
Most tall units are designed for screens up to about 50 inches. Beyond that, the unit would need to be both wide and tall, which is a lot of furniture for most UK rooms. For larger screens, a low unit or a wall mount is usually the better choice.
In a bedroom, a tall unit brings the screen up to a comfortable height for viewing from the bed. It also adds storage in a room where drawers and shelves are always useful. Look for a unit around 100cm to 120cm high if your bed is a standard height.
Where floor space is at a premium, building upwards makes sense. A tall narrow unit takes up the footprint of a side table but holds far more. Just check that the viewing height still works from your main seat.
A second sitting room or snug often has a smaller screen and relaxed seating. A tall unit can combine the television with a small library of books and games, which suits the character of a room used for winding down.
Some sofas and armchairs have a higher seat than average, and some rooms have a raised platform or window seat. In these cases a taller unit can bring the screen into line with the higher eye level.
Start with the wall. Measure its full width and note any interruptions such as sockets, light switches, radiators or window frames. Then measure the ceiling height and the height of any window sill nearby, since a tall unit placed next to a window can block light.
Next, sit on your main seat and ask someone to measure from the floor to your eye level. This single figure tells you more about the right unit height than any general guidance. Subtract roughly half the height of your screen, and you have an approximate height for the top of the TV shelf.
Finally, measure the route into the room. Tall units often arrive in long boxes, and older terraced houses can have narrow stairs and tight turns. Flat packed units are usually easier to bring in than fully assembled ones.
Because tall units offer more vertical space, the mix of storage matters. Closed cupboards hide clutter and keep dust off belongings. Glass fronted sections show off books, ceramics or collectables. Open shelves are practical for devices that need airflow.
If display is a priority, a pairing with one of our modern display cabinets UK can balance a tall TV unit on the opposite side of a chimney breast or window. For audio equipment such as turntables and amplifiers, our range of hifi stands and units UK offers shelving designed with ventilation and cable routing in mind.
Doors are worth checking closely on taller pieces, since you will open them at different heights throughout the day. Our guide to soft close doors on UK TV units explains why smoother hinges make a noticeable difference.
Tall furniture has a higher centre of gravity. Add a television, and the risk of tipping increases if the unit is pulled or climbed on. Always use the wall fixing kit supplied, or buy a suitable one if it is not included. Fix into solid masonry or a timber stud rather than plasterboard alone.
Place heavier items on lower shelves. Keep the television centred on its shelf and, where the unit allows, use a strap to secure the screen to the unit or wall as well.
Tall units solve specific problems, but they are not always the answer. If your living room has a wide wall, a low sofa and a screen larger than 55 inches, a low long unit is more comfortable to watch from and easier to style. For compact rooms where low is still the right height, our roundup of best value small TV units for UK homes covers designs that save space without raising the screen.
We stock tall, low and modular TV units in a range of finishes, from warm wood to high gloss and glass. You can browse the full collection and shop modern furniture UK at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
There is no single standard, but most tall TV units in the UK are between 100cm and 180cm high. Highboard designs are usually 90cm to 120cm, while full storage units reach 150cm or more.
The centre of the screen should sit close to your eye level when you are sitting or lying in bed. This is often higher than in a living room, which is why tall units suit bedrooms well.
Some can, but most tall units are designed for screens up to around 50 inches. Check the width of the television shelf and the stated load limit before buying.
Yes. Any tall unit holding a television should be secured to the wall to prevent tipping. Use fixings suited to your wall type.
They can be, because they use vertical space rather than floor space. Just make sure the viewing height works from your main seat before committing.
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