To style an open shelf TV unit, start by clearing everything off, then return items in layers: functional pieces first, followed by books, a few ceramics or vases, something living such as a plant, and finally one or two personal objects. Keep a consistent colour palette, leave breathing space on every shelf and use baskets to hide the clutter you still need close to hand. Those six ideas, explained below, will make almost any open unit look calm and deliberate.
Open shelving gives a living room character, but it can quickly become a dumping ground for chargers, post and game cases. If you are considering one of our modern entertainment units UK, or already own an open design, the following approach will help you make the most of it.
Closed cupboards forgive untidiness. Open shelves do not. Every object is on display, so the unit becomes part of the decoration of the room whether you intend it to or not. The advantage is that open shelving lets you show things you love, improves airflow around electronics and makes devices easy to reach.
The goal is balance. A well styled unit looks relaxed, as though it came together naturally, but in reality it follows a few simple principles.
Remove everything from the shelves. Wipe down every surface and look at the unit empty. This helps you see its proportions and decide which zones should be practical and which can be decorative.
Group the items you removed into three piles: things you use daily, things you want to display and things that belong elsewhere. Be honest about the third pile. Old DVDs, spare cables and paperwork usually have a better home somewhere else in the house.
Place your essential technology first. A soundbar, streaming box or console often needs a specific shelf close to the screen and sockets. Once these are in position, you can style around them rather than trying to squeeze them in at the end.
Our wider collection of TV stands and units UK sale includes many designs with a dedicated shelf for this purpose, which makes styling much easier.
Books add height, colour and texture, and they make a room feel lived in. Arrange them in two ways: some standing upright and some stacked horizontally. Horizontal stacks create a natural platform for a small object on top, while upright rows add rhythm.
Consider turning some books so the pages face outward for a softer, neutral look, or group them by spine colour for a more graphic effect. Keep heavier, larger books on lower shelves to maintain a sense of weight at the base.
If you have more books than your TV unit can hold, a matching bookcase nearby keeps the collection together. Our range of modern bookcases UK includes slim designs that sit neatly beside a media unit.
Ceramics bring curves to a unit that is otherwise made of straight lines. A few well chosen vases, bowls and jugs soften the look and introduce texture. Choose pieces in varying heights and a limited palette so they feel connected.
Odd numbers tend to look more natural. A group of three objects of different heights forms a pleasing triangle. Space groups out across the unit rather than clustering them all on one shelf.
Our decorative vases UK collection includes matt, glazed and glass finishes that work well on open shelving, whether you prefer an earthy or a contemporary style.
Small ornaments can look lost on a wide shelf. It is usually better to choose fewer, larger pieces than many tiny ones. A single substantial vase makes more impact than a row of miniatures and is easier to dust.
Plants make a huge difference. A trailing plant such as a pothos or string of hearts spilling over the edge of a shelf softens hard lines and adds movement. A small upright plant in a ceramic pot gives height at one end of the unit.
Consider the light in your room. TV walls are often away from windows, so choose plants that tolerate lower light levels. If natural plants are not practical, dried stems or preserved foliage offer texture without the watering.
Keep plants away from direct contact with electronics and use a saucer or waterproof liner to protect the shelf surface.
Every household has things that need to be near the TV but do not look good: controllers, remotes, charging leads, headphones. Baskets and lidded boxes solve this neatly. Woven seagrass or rattan baskets add warmth, while fabric boxes suit a softer scheme.
Choose containers that fit the depth and height of your shelves precisely. A basket that sits flush looks intentional. One that sticks out or leaves an awkward gap looks like an afterthought.
Open units make cables more visible. Use the cable holes in the back panel, bundle wires with fabric ties and run them down the back of the unit. A small adhesive clip underneath a shelf can hold a charging lead out of sight when not in use.
The final layer is what makes the unit yours. A framed photograph, a piece of pottery from a holiday, a small artwork leaning against the back of a shelf. Limit these to two or three items so they stand out rather than competing with one another.
Leaning art is particularly effective on wider units. A small frame propped on a shelf adds depth and can be changed easily with the seasons.
A restrained palette keeps open shelving calm. Choose two or three main colours drawn from the room, perhaps the tone of the sofa, the rug and a wall colour, and pick accessories within that range. Neutral pieces fill the gaps.
Balance matters more than symmetry. If one side has a tall vase, balance it with a stack of books or a plant on the other. Step back regularly and look at the unit from your seat. Squint slightly to see where the visual weight sits and adjust.
Empty space is part of the design. Aim to leave roughly a third of each shelf clear. This lets the eye rest and prevents the unit from feeling crowded, especially in smaller rooms.
An open shelf unit is easy to update, which is one of its quiet advantages. Rather than redecorating the whole room, you can change the mood by swapping a handful of objects. In autumn and winter, bring in darker ceramics, a candle in a glass holder and a few dried seed heads. In spring and summer, lighter glass vases, fresh stems and paler books make the unit feel brighter.
Keep a small box of alternative pieces in a cupboard so you can rotate them without buying anything new. Changing just three or four items is usually enough to make the arrangement feel fresh. It also gives you a natural moment to dust thoroughly, check cables and remove anything that has crept onto the shelves since the last refresh.
A small battery powered picture light or a slim LED strip tucked beneath a shelf adds a soft glow in the evening. Warm light brings out the texture of ceramics and wood, and makes the unit feel cosy when the television is switched off.
Compact flats. Keep styling minimal and light in colour. Pale ceramics, a single plant and a few books stop the unit from dominating the room.
Period homes. Vintage finds, brass objects and older books suit high ceilings and original features. Let the unit sit comfortably alongside alcoves and fireplaces.
Family living rooms. Put fragile items on higher shelves and use lower shelves for sturdy baskets that children can access. Choose unbreakable decorative pieces where possible.
Open shelving suits people who enjoy displaying objects and are happy to keep them tidy. If you prefer everything hidden away, or if you have lots of equipment, a closed or wall mounted design may suit you better. We compare the two approaches in detail in our guide to wall mounted and open shelf TV units in UK homes.
Whichever route you take, you can explore our full living room collection at Furniture in Fashion for TV units, bookcases and accessories that work together.
There is no fixed number, but aim to leave about a third of each shelf empty. Group items in threes and prioritise fewer, larger pieces over many small ones.
Stick to a limited colour palette, hide small practical items in baskets and remove anything that does not have a clear purpose or visual value. Review the arrangement every few months.
Yes, as long as they are kept away from electronics and sit in a waterproof pot or saucer. Choose varieties that cope with lower light, as TV walls are often away from windows.
Use fewer, larger objects so there is less to lift. A soft microfibre cloth and a quick weekly routine keep dust under control. Baskets also reduce the number of small surfaces to clean.
Keep the top fairly clear so the screen remains the focus. A lamp at one end and a small plant or vase at the other usually creates a balanced look.
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