Cable management makes TV units more practical by keeping power leads and HDMI cables hidden, organised and easy to reach. Built in cable holes, rear channels and removable back panels route wires neatly from devices to sockets, which reduces trip hazards, improves airflow around equipment, makes cleaning quicker and lets you swap or add devices without untangling a knot of wires. It also lets the design of the unit itself stand out.
Most households now run several devices from one TV unit, so the way cables are handled has become as important as the look of the furniture. Our range of modern entertainment units UK includes many designs with considered cable features. Below we explain how these features work, why they matter and how to set up a tidy arrangement at home.
A typical living room setup might include a television, soundbar, subwoofer, streaming stick, games console, broadband router and a smart speaker. Each needs power, and several need data connections. That can easily mean a dozen or more cables converging on one small area.
Without a plan, cables drape over the back of the unit, pool on the floor and tangle together behind the screen. Dust gathers in the knots, and finding the right lead to unplug becomes a frustrating job. A few simple features built into the furniture can prevent all of this.
Across our wider collection of TV stands and cabinets UK sale, you will find these features in many forms, from simple grommets to fully concealed rear compartments.
Round or oval holes in the back panel or top surface allow cables to pass between compartments and out to sockets. A grommet, often a plastic or metal ring, protects cables from rough edges and gives a neat finish. Look for holes large enough to pass an HDMI plug through, as these connectors are bulkier than the cable itself.
Some units have a shallow channel running along the back, allowing cables to travel horizontally behind the unit without being seen. This is particularly useful when sockets are at one end of the wall and the television is in the centre.
A removable or partially open back panel makes it much easier to connect and disconnect devices. Rather than reaching blindly behind the unit, you can access the cables directly. This is especially helpful for consoles and streaming boxes that get moved or updated regularly.
Better designed units include a concealed space for an extension lead or surge protector. Keeping the power strip inside the unit reduces clutter on the floor and makes it easy to switch devices off together.
Some units come with small clips attached to the inside of the frame to guide cables along a set route. If yours does not, adhesive clips and fabric ties are easy to add.
Loose cables across the floor are a trip hazard, especially for children, older family members and pets. Keeping wires contained within the unit removes this risk. It also reduces the chance of someone pulling a device off the unit by catching a cable.
Consoles, amplifiers and set top boxes generate heat. A mass of cables behind them can restrict airflow and trap warm air. Organised cables leave clear paths for ventilation, which helps equipment run cooler and can extend its lifespan.
Dust collects around tangled cables and is hard to reach. With cables bundled and routed neatly, you can dust behind and beneath the unit in seconds.
When you buy a new console or replace a soundbar, a well organised setup lets you identify and change the relevant cable immediately. Labelling each plug with a small tag makes this even easier.
Visible cables undermine even the most carefully chosen furniture. Hiding them allows the finish, shape and styling of the TV unit to take centre stage.
Before placing any equipment, look at where your sockets and aerial point are. Decide which compartment each device will occupy. Place the devices that connect directly to the television closest to it, and those that only need power further away.
Overly long cables create loops of spare wire. Where possible, choose shorter HDMI and power leads that reach comfortably without excess. Coil any unavoidable slack loosely and secure it with a fabric tie.
Group cables that follow the same path. Power leads heading to the extension strip can be bundled together, while HDMI cables heading to the television form a separate bundle. Keeping power and signal cables slightly apart can also reduce the chance of interference.
A small label on each end of a cable saves time later. Simple tags marked TV, console, soundbar and router are enough.
If your television is mounted above the unit, cables need to travel from the screen down to the devices below. Options include a surface mounted cable cover painted to match the wall or, in some cases, routing cables inside the wall using a suitable kit installed by a qualified professional. Our selection of TV wall brackets UK includes designs with integrated cable guides that help keep this area tidy.
Keep the screen as close to the unit as your viewing height allows. The shorter the gap between the television and the devices below, the less cable you need to disguise, and the neater the wall will look.
Cables are only part of the story. Controllers, remotes, charging leads, headphones and physical media all need a home. Drawers with dividers keep small items organised, while dedicated storage keeps discs and game cases in order. If you still have a collection of films or music, our CD and DVD storage UK range offers compact options that sit alongside a TV unit.
Consider creating a charging spot inside a drawer or compartment. Run a short extension lead into it, and controllers or phones can charge out of sight. Make sure the space is ventilated and never cover charging devices with fabric.
Rented flats. Where you cannot drill or chase cables into walls, the TV unit does most of the work. Choose a design with generous rear openings and an internal space for a power strip, and use freestanding cable tidies rather than anything fixed to the wall.
Period properties. Older homes often have sockets in awkward positions, sometimes on the opposite side of a chimney breast. A unit with a rear channel lets cables travel along the wall behind it rather than across the floor.
Family living rooms. Children and pets are curious about cables. Closed compartments with doors keep plugs and leads out of reach, while a unit fixed to the wall prevents it being pulled forward.
Bedrooms. A smaller unit with just a television and streaming device still benefits from a tidy route to the socket, particularly where cables would otherwise run close to the bed.
Deciding between a wall mounted setup and a freestanding open unit affects how visible your cables will be. Our sister guide to wall mounted versus open shelf TV units for UK homes compares the two approaches, including how each handles wiring.
When comparing TV units, check the following:
Position and size of cable holes. They should line up sensibly with your sockets and be large enough for bulky plugs.
Access to the back. A removable panel or open back makes connections much easier.
Ventilation. Look for open compartments, slatted doors or vents near where devices will sit.
Distance from the wall. Some units have a recessed back that allows plugs to sit flush while the unit stands close to the wall.
Internal space. Make sure compartments are tall and deep enough for your devices with room for cables behind them.
Good cable management is rarely noticed when it is done well, and that is the point. A tidy setup makes daily life easier, keeps the room safer and lets you enjoy the furniture you chose. A little time spent planning cable routes when you first set up the unit pays off every time you clean, upgrade or simply sit down to watch.
You can explore our complete range of TV units with thoughtful cable features at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Use a TV unit with rear cable holes and a hidden compartment for power strips, and run any cables from a wall mounted screen through a stick on cable cover painted to match the wall.
Properly positioned cable holes in a well made unit do not significantly weaken it. They are designed into the structure rather than cut afterwards.
Keeping them in separate bundles is good practice. It makes identification easier and may help reduce the chance of interference.
Yes, provided the compartment is ventilated, the lead is not overloaded and it is never covered with fabric or clutter. Choose a surge protected extension for sensitive electronics.
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