Low TV Unit Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

A low TV unit is usually one that stands roughly 30 to 45cm tall, compared with the 50 to 60cm of a standard unit. It suits modern low sofas, wall mounted screens and rooms where you want the space to feel wider and calmer. The key things to check before choosing one are the height of your seating, the width of your television, whether the screen will stand on the unit or hang above it, and how much storage you genuinely need.

Low units have become a familiar sight in British homes because they suit the way we now watch and live. Sofas have become lower and deeper, televisions are larger and slimmer, and many people prefer an uncluttered wall to a bulky cabinet. Our collection of modern low TV units for UK homes reflects this shift, and this guide will help you narrow down what to look for.

What Makes a TV Unit Low?

There is no official measurement, but in practice a low TV unit sits noticeably closer to the floor than a traditional TV cabinet. Many are long and slim, with a strong horizontal line that visually stretches the wall. Some sit on short legs, others on a plinth, and some are designed to float on the wall.

The appeal is partly visual and partly practical. A low profile keeps sightlines open, which helps in smaller rooms and in open plan spaces. It also leaves more wall above for a mounted screen, art or shelving. When you are planning how it fits with the rest of your living room furniture in the UK sale, think of the unit as a base line that other pieces relate to.

Getting the Height Right

Height is the single most important measurement for comfortable viewing. The general principle is that the centre of the screen should sit close to your eye level when seated. For most adults on an average sofa, that is around 100 to 110cm from the floor.

If the TV stands on the unit

Add the height of the unit to the distance from the bottom of the screen to its centre. With a low unit and a large television, the numbers often work out well, because larger screens are taller. With a smaller television on a very low unit, the screen can end up too low, which leads to looking downwards for long periods.

If the TV is mounted on the wall

This is where low units really come into their own. The unit no longer needs to lift the screen, so you can choose purely on storage and style. A good bracket gives you control over height and angle. Our range of wall TV brackets for UK homes includes fixed, tilting and swivel options to suit different layouts.

Match your seating

If you have a low slung sofa or floor cushions, a low unit keeps everything in proportion. If your seating is taller, such as upright armchairs or a traditional high backed sofa, a very low unit can feel slightly disconnected. Measure your seat height and let that guide you.

Choosing the Right Width

A TV unit should be wider than the television it supports. As a rule of thumb, aim for a unit that extends at least 10 to 15cm beyond the screen on each side. This looks balanced and gives space for a lamp, a plant or a speaker.

Low units often look best when they are generous in length. A long, low unit spanning most of a wall creates a calm, architectural look. In a narrow room, however, a very long unit can make the space feel like a corridor. Leave at least 40 to 50cm clear at each end where possible.

Depth and Room Flow

Depth is easy to overlook but affects how easily you move through a room. Most low units range from around 35 to 50cm deep. Shallower units suit narrow living rooms and through lounges common in terraced houses. Deeper units hold more equipment and give a stable base for larger screens.

Check the depth of your soundbar, console and any boxes you plan to store. Many consoles need space behind for cables and airflow, so allow a few centimetres extra.

Storage: Open, Closed or Both?

Open shelving

Open compartments are practical for equipment that needs a remote signal, such as set top boxes and soundbars. They also allow heat to escape. The downside is visible cables and dust.

Closed cupboards and drawers

Doors and drawers hide clutter, which suits minimalist rooms. Look for glass or perforated panels if you want to store equipment behind them, or push to open doors if you prefer a handleless look. Drawers are useful for games, remote controls and chargers.

A mix of both

Many people find a combination works best: an open section for the essentials and closed storage for everything else. If you have a separate music system, a dedicated unit from our hifi stands and units in the UK can keep audio equipment organised while the TV unit stays streamlined.

Materials and Finishes

The material affects durability, weight and the overall character of the room.

• Wood and wood veneer: warm and tactile, with oak and walnut particularly popular. Solid wood is heavy and robust, while veneer gives a similar look on a stable board core.
• High gloss: reflects light and suits contemporary rooms, particularly smaller spaces.
• Matt lacquer: a soft, modern look that hides fingerprints well.
• Glass: light and airy visually, although it shows dust and fingerprints and needs regular cleaning.
• Mixed materials: wood with metal legs, or lacquer with a stone effect top, add interest and texture.

Legs, Plinth or Floating?

Low units come in three broad styles. Units on legs feel lighter and let you see more floor, which makes a room look larger and makes cleaning underneath easier. Plinth based units sit solidly on the floor and feel grounded and substantial. Floating units are fixed to the wall and leave the floor completely clear. Our article on how floating TV unit designs work in UK homes explores that style in more detail, including what to check before fixing one to your wall.

Managing Cables Neatly

With a low unit, cables have further to travel if the screen is mounted high. Plan the route before you buy. Look for units with rear cable ports and cable channels. Consider a cable cover painted to match the wall, or, if you are redecorating, channelling cables inside the wall with professional help. Tidy cables make the biggest single difference to how polished a low unit looks.

Low Units in Different Rooms

Small living rooms

A low unit keeps the visual weight down. Choose a slim depth and a light finish, and mount the TV to free up the surface.

Open plan spaces

A low unit can help define the lounge zone without blocking views across the room. Our collection of space smart TV unit ideas for UK open plan living rooms has more inspiration for zoning.

Bedrooms

A low unit at the foot of the bed works well, although check the viewing angle from your pillow. A slightly taller unit or a tilting bracket may be more comfortable.

Rooms with chimney breasts

Many period homes have alcoves either side of a chimney breast. A low unit can span the breast with the TV above, or sit neatly within an alcove with a smaller screen.

Sound and Soundbars

Many people now pair their television with a soundbar, and a low unit needs to accommodate it properly. Check that the top of the unit is deep enough for the soundbar to sit securely in front of the screen without blocking the bottom edge of the picture or the TV sensor. If the screen is wall mounted, a soundbar can sit on the unit beneath or be fixed to the wall directly below the TV.

Avoid placing a soundbar deep inside an enclosed compartment, as the sound can become muffled. An open front shelf or a fabric covered section allows sound to travel freely into the room.

Safety Considerations

If your television stands on the unit, make sure the unit is rated for its weight and wide enough to support its base. Use anti tip straps where provided, especially in homes with young children or pets. If you fix a floating unit or bracket to the wall, check the wall type and use appropriate fixings.

Final Checklist

Before choosing, measure the TV width, your wall width, your seat height and your available depth. Decide whether the TV will stand or hang. List the equipment you need to store. Consider your preferred materials and how they fit with the rest of the room. Doing this simple homework makes the choice much clearer. You can see our full range of modern furniture at Furniture in Fashion.

Low TV Unit FAQs

How low is too low for a TV unit?

If the TV stands on the unit, it is too low when the centre of the screen sits well below eye level from your seat. If the TV is wall mounted, the unit height matters much less.

Are low TV units good for small rooms?

Yes. Their slim profile keeps sightlines open and leaves wall space free, which helps a smaller room feel less crowded.

Can a low TV unit hold a large television?

Many can, provided the unit is wide and strong enough for the TV base and weight. Always check the maximum load and use anti tip straps.

Should a low TV unit be longer than the TV?

Ideally yes. A unit that extends beyond the screen on each side looks balanced and gives space for decorative or practical items.