If you are renting, the right place to start a living room makeover is the TV unit. It anchors the main wall, defines the style of the room and, unlike paint or fitted shelves, moves with you to your next home. Choose a freestanding unit with enough storage, a flexible size and a finish that works with neutral rental decor, then build the rest of the room around it.
Rented homes often come with the same starting point: magnolia walls, beige carpet and a landlord who would rather you did not drill. A well chosen unit from our range of freestanding modern TV units UK renters rely on can change the feel of that room more than almost anything else you are allowed to do, and it sits comfortably within our wider collection of living room furniture UK sale pieces designed to work together. Here is how to approach it.
In most living rooms, the TV wall is where the eye lands first. Whatever sits there sets the tone. A tired unit or a television balanced on a cheap stand makes the whole room feel temporary, while a considered piece gives the space a sense of purpose.
It also carries a lot of practical weight. The TV unit hides routers, consoles and cables, stores remotes and games, and often doubles as a surface for lamps and plants. Getting it right early means the rest of the room has a solid foundation.
Finally, it is an investment you keep. Paint stays behind when you leave. So do shelves screwed into the wall. A freestanding unit goes with you, which makes it one of the most sensible places for a renter to direct their furnishing budget.
Many tenancy agreements restrict drilling or fixing items to walls, and even where it is allowed, you may be responsible for making good when you leave. Always check your agreement before putting anything up. For most renters, a freestanding unit that holds the television on its own stand is the simplest route.
A good freestanding unit should be stable enough to hold your screen safely without being fixed to the wall. Look for a solid top, a sensible depth for your television’s feet and adjustable levelling feet, which are useful on the uneven floors common in older rental properties.
If you have young children or pets, ask your landlord whether a small anti tip strap fixing would be acceptable. Many are happy to agree to a single discreet fixing for safety reasons.
Renters tend to move more often than homeowners, so flexibility is valuable. A unit that exactly fills one particular wall may be too long for the next flat. A moderate width that suits a range of screen sizes will serve you across several homes.
Consider a slightly smaller unit with the option of adding matching pieces later, such as a slim bookcase or a side cabinet. This modular approach lets you expand in a larger home and scale back in a smaller one.
Check that the unit can be dismantled and reassembled easily. Flat pack furniture designed for home assembly usually handles moves well, provided the fixings are sturdy and you keep them safely in a labelled bag.
Most rental walls are painted in off white or magnolia, which can make a room feel flat. The TV unit is your chance to introduce warmth or contrast.
Think about your next home too. A finish that works with a variety of decor gives you more freedom when you move.
Rented homes often lack built in storage. There may be no under stairs cupboard, no alcove shelving and very little space in the hallway. That makes every storage piece count.
A TV unit with a mix of drawers and cupboards can absorb a surprising amount of everyday clutter: board games, chargers, paperwork, spare bulbs and throws. Open shelving adds flexibility for devices and display items, while closed storage keeps the less attractive essentials out of sight. A balance of the two usually works best in a busy rental.
Once the TV unit is in place, the rest of the room can follow in layers, none of which require tools.
A large rug is the fastest way to hide a worn or dated rental carpet. Choose one big enough for at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs to sit on, which visually connects the seating and the TV area. Our range of large modern rugs UK renters choose includes plain, patterned and textured designs that suit most schemes.
Many rental living rooms rely on a single ceiling light, which casts flat, unflattering light. Adding lamps transforms the mood in the evening. A tall option from our floor lamps UK collection in one corner and a table lamp on the TV unit create layers of light without any wiring. You can also swap the ceiling shade for a new one, as long as you keep the original to put back.
If you cannot put nails in the walls, lean artwork and mirrors instead. A large framed print resting on the TV unit, overlapping a smaller one, looks relaxed and intentional. A floor mirror propped against a wall bounces light around the room and makes it feel larger.
Cushions, throws and curtains bring colour and texture quickly. Tension rods or existing curtain poles let you hang new curtains without altering fixtures. Choose two or three colours that pick up the tones of your TV unit to tie the room together.
Plants soften hard edges and make a room feel lived in. A trailing plant on the TV unit or a larger floor plant beside it adds life, and they are easy to take with you when you move.
Without the option of chasing cables into walls, tidy management matters more. Choose a TV unit with rear cable ports, and use adhesive cable clips that can be removed cleanly. A cable tidy box on the floor behind the unit hides extension leads and chargers. Position the unit close to your aerial socket and power points to keep runs short.
Every rental has features you would not have chosen. Rather than fighting them, work around them:
If you are furnishing a rented room gradually, prioritise the TV unit and the rug, as these two pieces change the room most. Lighting comes next, followed by soft furnishings and art. For advice on getting the most from a modest spend, our guide to small TV units for UK homes on a budget explains which features are worth paying attention to and which you can skip. If you are weighing up doors against shelves, our article on open shelving TV units in UK living rooms sets out the practical differences.
A rented living room does not have to feel temporary. With a well chosen TV unit at its heart and a few portable layers around it, you can create a space that feels like yours, and take it all with you when the time comes. Browse freestanding units and the rest of our living room range at Furniture in Fashion.
Only with your landlord’s permission. Check your tenancy agreement first. A freestanding TV unit is usually the simplest alternative and avoids any need to repair walls when you leave.
Warm wood tones such as oak or walnut bring life to magnolia, while black or charcoal adds contrast. Muted painted finishes like sage or dusky blue also work well.
Use a TV unit with rear cable ports, removable adhesive clips along the skirting and a cable tidy box behind the unit for extension leads.
A moderate width that suits a range of screen sizes is sensible, as it is more likely to fit future homes. Modular pieces can be added when you have more space.
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