How to Choose the Perfect TV Unit with Drawers for Your Home

To choose a TV unit with drawers, start by listing what you actually need to store, then match the number, depth and type of drawers to those items. Check that the drawers run on proper metal runners, that the unit is wider than your television and at a comfortable viewing height, and that there is still somewhere open or ventilated for equipment that needs airflow. Get those points right and the style decision becomes much easier.

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Drawers are the most underrated feature on a TV unit. Shelves and cupboards are fine for large items, but the living room is full of small things: remotes, chargers, games, batteries, instruction booklets, coasters. Drawers keep these organised and within reach in a way that a cupboard never quite manages. Our collection of modern TV units UK households choose includes plenty of designs with drawers, from single slim drawers to full chest style arrangements, and they sit within our wider modern living room furniture UK sale collection so you can coordinate the rest of the room.

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Begin With an Honest Inventory

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Before you look at a single product, spend five minutes looking around your living room. What lives near the television now? What would you like to hide?

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Typical items include:

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• Remote controls for the TV, soundbar and streaming devices

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• Games controllers, headsets and charging cables

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• Physical games, DVDs or Blu rays

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• Board games and playing cards

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• Candles, matches and spare bulbs

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• Paperwork, manuals and warranty cards

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Group them by size. Small, frequently used items suit shallow top drawers. Bulky or less frequently used items suit deeper lower drawers or cupboards. This quick exercise will stop you choosing a unit with three deep drawers when what you really need is several shallow ones.

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Understand the Main Drawer Layouts

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TV units with drawers generally fall into a few layouts. Each has strengths.

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A single row of drawers

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Long, low units with a row of two to four drawers across the front are common in contemporary designs. They keep the look streamlined and give good general storage. They work well in rooms where the TV sits on the unit and you want a clean, horizontal line.

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Drawers combined with open shelves

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This is the most practical layout for most homes. Drawers hide clutter, while open shelves hold a set top box, games console or router that needs airflow and remote access. Look for designs where the open section is in the centre, directly beneath the screen.

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Drawers combined with cupboards

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A unit with drawers above and doors below, or drawers on one side and a cupboard on the other, offers the most flexible storage. It suits families with a mix of small and large items to hide.

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Chest style units

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Taller units with stacked drawers are useful in bedrooms or small living rooms where floor space is limited. They lift the TV higher, so check viewing height carefully.

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Check the Quality of the Drawers Themselves

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A drawer that sticks, sags or wobbles will frustrate you daily. It is worth paying close attention to how they are built.

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1. Runners. Metal ball bearing or roller runners give the smoothest, most reliable action. Wooden drawers sliding directly on wood can work well in solid furniture, but they need good joinery.

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2. Extension. Full extension runners let you see and reach the back of the drawer. Partial extension is common and fine for shallow drawers.

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3. Soft close. Soft close runners stop drawers banging shut and protect the unit over time.

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4. Drawer base. A thin base can bow under the weight of games or DVDs. A firmer base, or one supported in a groove, holds its shape.

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5. Stops. Drawers should have a stop so they cannot be pulled out entirely by accident, which matters in households with young children.

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Measure for the Room, the TV and the Drawers

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Drawers add an extra dimension to your measurements, because you need space to pull them open.

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Start with width. The unit should be wider than your television so the screen does not overhang. Then check depth: a drawer that is deep enough for a games box needs a unit of at least moderate depth, which may stick out further than you expect in a narrow room. Finally, measure the clearance in front of the unit. If a coffee table or footstool sits close by, will the drawers still open fully?

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Height matters for comfort. When you sit on your sofa, the centre of the screen should be close to eye level. Low units with a single row of drawers generally suit standard sofas well. Taller chest style units may push the screen higher than is comfortable unless your seating is also high, or you plan to tilt the TV slightly.

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Balance Drawers With Airflow and Access

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One mistake we see often is choosing a unit with only drawers and doors, then discovering there is nowhere sensible to put the router or console. Electronics need airflow to stay cool, and many devices still rely on infrared remotes that need a clear line of sight.

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If you love a fully closed design, check for rear cable cutouts and consider devices that use Bluetooth or WiFi controls. Otherwise, a unit with drawers and at least one open compartment is the more practical everyday choice.

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Match the Material to Your Home and Lifestyle

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The material affects both appearance and how well the drawers hold up.

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• Solid wood is durable and can be repaired, but it is heavier and responds to changes in humidity. Drawers in solid wood may need a little wax on the runners over time.

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• Veneered board gives a real wood look with more stability, making it a sensible choice for centrally heated homes.

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• High gloss suits modern interiors and is easy to wipe clean, though it shows fingerprints on handles and drawer fronts.

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• Painted finishes in soft colours are forgiving and work well in family rooms.

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Think about handles too. Handleless drawers with push to open fronts look sleek, but a well placed handle is often easier to use when you are reaching for a remote in the dark.

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Drawers in Small Rooms, Flats and Bedrooms

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In compact spaces, a TV unit with drawers often has to do more than one job. In a studio flat it may be the main storage in the room. In a bedroom it can double as a chest of drawers, holding folded clothes or bedding alongside the television.

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If space is tight, prioritise a unit with slim drawers rather than deep cupboards. Drawers make better use of the full depth of the unit, because you can pull them out and see everything at once, whereas items at the back of a cupboard tend to be forgotten. A unit on legs also helps a small room feel lighter, even if it gives you slightly less storage than a plinth base.

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For bedrooms, think about height from the bed rather than the sofa. You will usually be lying back or propped up on pillows, so a slightly taller unit can work well here. Quiet, soft close drawers are worth having too, particularly if one person tends to get up earlier than the other.

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Finally, remember access. In a narrow room, drawers that open towards a bed or a door can become awkward. Check that you can stand comfortably in front of the unit with a drawer fully extended.

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Organise the Drawers Once They Arrive

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A drawer is only useful if you can find things in it. A few simple habits keep them working:

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• Use small trays or boxes to separate remotes, cables and batteries.

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• Label cable bundles so you know which charger belongs to which device.

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• Reserve the top drawer for daily essentials only.

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• Clear out once or twice a year, because drawers attract forgotten items.

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If you have a large collection of films or games, a dedicated piece from our CD and DVD storage UK range can take the pressure off the TV unit and keep the drawers for smaller items.

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Think About the Room as a Whole

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The TV unit rarely works alone. It sits alongside a sofa, a coffee table and often a sideboard or shelving. Choosing a unit that shares a finish or wood tone with other pieces helps the room feel settled. If you need extra space for things that do not belong near the TV, our modern storage furniture UK options can absorb the overflow elsewhere in the room.

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If you are still deciding between drawers and doors, our article on TV units with doors for a luxury UK look explores the alternative. For help with sizing, see our guide on choosing a TV unit for a 55 inch TV in UK homes.

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You can compare drawer layouts, finishes and sizes across our collection at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. Returns are available up to 30 days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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How many drawers should a TV unit have?

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It depends on what you store. Two drawers suit most households for remotes and small items. Families with games, films and accessories may benefit from three or four, or a combination of drawers and cupboards.

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Can I put a games console in a drawer?

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It is not recommended. Consoles need airflow to stay cool, and drawers are enclosed. Keep the console on an open shelf and use drawers for controllers and games.

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Are drawers or cupboards better for a TV unit?

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Drawers are better for small items you use often, while cupboards suit larger or bulkier things. Many people find a combination of both is the most practical.

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How do I stop drawers sticking?

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Avoid overloading them, keep runners free of dust, and for solid wood drawers, rub a little furniture wax or a candle along the runners if they begin to drag.