How to Choose a TV Unit for a UK Living Room With Alcoves

Working with alcoves rather than against them

Alcoves are one of the most common features in UK homes, especially in properties with a chimney breast. The two recesses either side of the breast create natural pockets of space, and the question of where the television should live often comes down to how you treat them. Handled well, alcoves give a room rhythm and built in storage. Handled carelessly, they can leave a space feeling cramped or unbalanced.

The first decision is whether the television sits on the chimney breast itself or within one of the recesses. Most rooms read best with the screen centred on the breast, which keeps the focal point symmetrical and frees the alcoves for shelving or lower storage.

Measuring before you commit

Alcove widths vary far more than people expect, and they are rarely identical on both sides of a chimney breast. Older homes in particular can have recesses that differ by several centimetres. Measure the width at the back and the front, since walls are not always square, and note the depth as well. A unit that looks ideal online can be frustrating if it wedges in too tightly or leaves an awkward gap.

Leave a small amount of breathing room on each side. A unit pushed in with no clearance looks forced and makes future cleaning harder. When you compare options across our TV units range, keep your alcove measurements to hand so you can rule out anything too wide at a glance.

Centre breast, storage in the recesses

A popular and practical layout places the screen on the chimney breast with low units tucked into each alcove. This keeps the television at a comfortable viewing height while giving you generous storage either side. Matching low cabinets in the recesses create a tidy, gallery like balance and a strong horizontal line across the wall.

If your alcoves differ slightly in width, two separate units often cope better than one long piece, since you can choose sizes that suit each side. Open shelving above the cabinets then draws the eye upward and makes use of the full height. Our wider living room furniture collection includes pieces that pair neatly with this kind of arrangement.

When the television sits in an alcove

Some rooms suit placing the screen inside one recess, particularly where seating faces a corner or where the chimney breast is too narrow. In this case a slimmer unit that fits the alcove depth is essential, as a deep cabinet will jut out and unbalance the recess. A neat, low profile design keeps the screen settled within the space rather than fighting it.

Be mindful of sockets and aerial points, which in older homes are often fitted inside the alcove. Knowing where these sit helps you choose a unit with the right cable access and avoids trailing leads across the floor.

Keeping proportion and balance

Alcoves naturally frame whatever you place inside them, so proportion is key. A unit that is too tall closes the recess in and makes the room feel lower. A piece that is too small leaves dead space above and below. Aim for a unit that fills the width comfortably while leaving clear space above for shelving or a styled display.

Colour also plays a role. Painting the inside of an alcove a shade darker than the surrounding wall adds depth and makes a wooden or pale unit stand out. A lighter unit against a darker recess feels crisp, while a tonal approach keeps things soft and recessive. If you prefer a sleeker look, the designs in our TV stands units and cabinets range offer low profiles that suit alcove fitting.

Storage that earns its place

Alcoves are a gift for storage, so it makes sense to use them well. Closed cabinets hide media boxes, cables and clutter, while open shelves above can hold books, baskets or a few decorative pieces. A mix of both keeps the wall practical without feeling heavy. Drawers are useful for smaller items that otherwise drift around a living room.

Try not to fill every shelf. A little negative space lets the eye rest and stops the alcoves looking crowded. Styling in odd numbers and varying the height of objects keeps the display relaxed rather than rigid.

Bringing the scheme together

Once the units are in place, the rest of the room can settle around them. Echoing the wood tone or finish elsewhere, perhaps in a coffee table or side table, ties the scheme together. Lighting helps too, with a lamp in one alcove adding warmth on darker evenings.

Taking time over these details pays off, since the chimney breast wall is usually the focal point of the room. At Furniture in Fashion we offer a broad selection of modern furniture across the UK, making it easier to find units that fit your alcoves and complement the wider space.

Frequently asked questions

Should the television go on the chimney breast or in an alcove?
Centring the screen on the breast usually looks most balanced, but placing it in an alcove can work where seating faces a corner or the breast is narrow.

Do both alcoves need matching units?
Not always. Matching units look tidy, but if the recesses differ in width, two separate pieces sized to each side often fit better.

How much clearance should I leave?
Leave a small gap on each side rather than wedging a unit in tightly. This looks neater and makes cleaning and cable access easier.

What depth of unit suits an alcove?
Choose a unit that sits within the recess depth so it does not jut out. Slim, low profile designs tend to work best.

How do I make the alcoves stand out?
Painting the inside a shade darker than the surrounding wall adds depth and helps a wooden or pale unit feel framed and deliberate.