How to Style Either Side of a TV Unit in a UK Home

The television tends to dominate the wall it sits on, and the space on either side of the unit is often left bare or filled at random. Treated with a little thought, those flanking areas can soften the screen, balance the room and make the whole arrangement feel like a designed composition rather than an afterthought. Here is how to style them well.

Start With Balance, Not Symmetry

A common instinct is to mirror both sides exactly, but a looser balance usually feels more relaxed and lived in. Think in terms of visual weight rather than matching items. A tall plant on one side can be balanced by a lamp and a stack of books on the other, so the two sides feel equal without being identical.

This approach lets the area breathe and stops it looking staged. It also works whether your unit sits against a flat wall or within an alcove, and pairs naturally with the rest of your living room furniture.

Use Height to Frame the Screen

Tall elements on either side draw the eye upward and frame the television, which reduces its visual dominance. Floor plants, slim shelving or a floor lamp all do this job. The aim is to create a gentle sense of enclosure so the screen feels part of a wider scene rather than a lone black rectangle.

If you have the space, a pair of bookcases flanking the unit creates a built in look that feels considered and offers useful storage at the same time.

Bring in Greenery and Texture

Plants are one of the simplest ways to soften the hard edges of a media wall. A tall leafy plant in a textured pot adds life and movement, while a trailing plant on a shelf breaks up straight lines. Natural textures such as woven baskets, ceramics and timber objects warm the area and stop it feeling cold or screen heavy.

Vary the heights and materials so the eye has something to travel across, rather than a flat row of similar items.

Add Light at Different Levels

Lighting transforms the mood around a television. A floor lamp or a table lamp beside the unit reduces the contrast between a bright screen and a dark room, which is easier on the eyes during an evening of viewing. Layered lighting at different heights also adds depth and warmth to the corner.

A pair of table lamps placed on flanking surfaces gives a balanced glow and doubles as a styling feature in its own right.

Edit and Keep It Calm

The final step is restraint. It is easy to keep adding until the area feels cluttered, so step back and remove anything that does not earn its place. A few well chosen pieces always look better than a crowded shelf. Leave some negative space so the styling feels intentional and the television still has room to breathe.

Work With the Wall Behind

The wall itself is part of the composition, so consider what sits behind and around the unit. A piece of framed art, a mirror or a simple shelf above the screen draws the arrangement upward and stops the television floating alone on a blank expanse. Keep these additions in proportion, since anything too large competes with the screen rather than complementing it.

Colour on the wall can help too. A slightly deeper tone behind the television reduces the glare of a bright screen in a dark room and gives the whole arrangement a grounded, gallery like feel. Small choices like these tie the sides and the centre into one considered scene.

With the sides considered and the clutter edited, the whole wall reads as a calm, balanced focal point. Explore pieces to style your space alongside the rest of our modern furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free UK delivery throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should both sides of a TV unit match exactly? Not necessarily. A looser balance based on visual weight, such as a tall plant on one side and a lamp with books on the other, often feels more relaxed than perfect symmetry.

What should I put either side of a television? Tall plants, slim shelving, floor lamps or bookcases work well. They frame the screen, add height and soften its dominance on the wall.

How do I stop the area looking cluttered? Edit ruthlessly and leave some empty space. A few quality pieces at varied heights look far better than a crowded surface.

Does lighting beside the television help? Yes. A lamp on either side reduces the contrast between the bright screen and a dark room, which is more comfortable for evening viewing and adds warmth.

What can I put above the television? A piece of framed art, a mirror or a slim shelf works well above the screen, drawing the eye upward so the television does not sit alone on a blank wall. Keep it in proportion so it complements rather than competes with the screen.