Cable Management: The TV Unit Detail That Makes All the Difference

Cable management makes all the difference to a TV unit because tangled wires are often the first thing the eye lands on, even in a beautifully furnished room. A unit with rear cable ports, an open or removable back panel, enough depth for plugs and ventilated compartments for devices lets you hide every lead neatly. Combine that with a little planning around sockets and a few simple tidying tools, and the whole media wall looks calm and deliberate.

Most of us own more devices than ever: a television, a soundbar, a games console, a streaming box, a broadband router and perhaps a smart speaker, each with its own power lead and connecting cables. Units designed with this in mind make life far easier. Many designs in our modern entertainment units UK collection include cable routing as standard, and our full modern TV units UK sale range lets you compare features across every style and finish.

Why cables matter more than you think

A room can feel cluttered even when surfaces are clear, simply because of visible wires. Cables create lines that cut across walls and floors, and because they are usually black or white against contrasting surfaces, they draw attention. They also gather dust, create trip hazards and make it harder to clean behind furniture.

Good cable management solves all of that. It also makes future changes easier, because a tidy setup lets you unplug a console or swap a soundbar without untangling everything else.

Features to look for in a TV unit

Rear cable ports

Round or oval cut outs in the back panel let wires pass from devices inside the unit to sockets behind it. Look for ports in each compartment that will hold equipment, not just one in the centre.

Open or removable backs

Some units leave the back of the media compartment open, or use a panel that can be lifted away. This gives the most flexibility, particularly for bulky plugs and power adapters.

Enough depth

Devices take up more room than their dimensions suggest once cables are plugged into the back. HDMI leads, in particular, stick out several centimetres and do not like to be bent sharply. Make sure there is space between the back of each device and the back of the compartment.

Ventilation

Consoles, amplifiers and set top boxes produce heat. Open shelves, slatted doors or compartments with ventilation holes let warm air escape. Closing hot devices into a sealed cupboard can shorten their lifespan.

Space behind the unit

A unit that sits completely flush against the wall leaves no room for plugs. A small gap, or a unit with a slightly recessed back, gives space for sockets and extension leads to sit hidden.

Plan before your unit arrives

A few minutes of planning saves a lot of fiddling later.

1. List every device that will connect to the television or sit in the unit, and note how many power sockets each needs.
2. Check your sockets and aerial point. Where are they on the wall, and will the unit cover them or leave them exposed?
3. Decide where each device will live. Group things that connect to each other, such as the console and soundbar, close together.
4. Measure the cables you have. Replacing very long leads with shorter ones is one of the simplest ways to reduce clutter.
5. Think about the router. Wireless signals can struggle through closed wooden or metal cupboards, so an open shelf often works better.

Freestanding TV on a unit

This is the easiest setup to keep tidy. The television sits on top, and its cables drop straight down behind it into the unit or to the sockets behind. Use the rear ports to feed wires into the relevant compartments, bundle them with reusable ties and let the unit hide everything.

Position the unit so the wall sockets sit behind it rather than beside it. If your sockets are too far to one side, a good quality surge protected extension lead placed behind the unit keeps plugs out of sight.

Wall mounted TV above a unit

Mounting the screen on the wall looks clean, but it creates a gap where cables are visible between the television and the unit below. There are several ways to close that gap.

• Surface trunking. A slim, paintable channel fixed to the wall carries cables from the screen down to the unit. Painted to match the wall, it becomes barely noticeable.
• In wall routing. For a completely hidden finish, cables can run inside the wall. This is best handled by a qualified electrician, who can ensure it meets current wiring regulations and uses cables rated for installation within walls.
• A recessed socket behind the TV. An electrician can fit a socket behind the screen so the power lead is hidden, with only low voltage cables running down to the unit.
• Positioning. Mounting the screen low, just above the unit, shortens the visible cable run.

Choosing the right mount helps too. Our wall TV brackets UK sale range includes fixed, tilting and articulating designs. Articulating arms need a little slack in the cables so the screen can move without pulling leads loose.

Tidying the cables themselves

Once everything is plugged in, a few inexpensive tools pull it all together.

• Reusable hook and loop ties are easy to adjust when you add or remove a device.
• Braided cable sleeves gather several wires into one neat tube.
• Adhesive cable clips fixed to the back of the unit keep bundles in place.
• A cable tidy box hides an extension lead and its plugs while allowing air to circulate.
• Labels on each plug make it much easier to identify leads later.

Route power cables and signal cables separately where you can. Running them in tight parallel bundles over long distances can occasionally cause interference with audio or picture quality.

Audio equipment and separates

If you have a stereo amplifier, turntable or separate speakers, cable planning becomes even more important. Speaker cable, interconnects and power leads for several components can quickly overwhelm a standard TV unit. A dedicated piece from our hi fi stands and units UK collection offers open shelving and good airflow, and it can sit beside your TV unit to share the load.

Large screens and cable weight

Bigger televisions often come with more connections: eARC for a soundbar, multiple HDMI inputs for consoles and streaming devices, and sometimes a separate connection box. The cables are heavier and the unit beneath usually wider. Our guide to TV units for a 75 inch TV in UK homes covers how to plan storage and cable routes for larger setups.

Keeping it tidy over time

Even a carefully organised setup drifts. A new console arrives, a charger gets borrowed, a spare lead is pushed to the back of a shelf and forgotten. A quick review every few months keeps things under control. Unplug anything you no longer use, remove old leads rather than coiling them in a drawer and check that bundles are still secure.

It also helps to leave a little spare capacity. One free socket on the extension lead, an empty cable port and a loose tie or two stored in a drawer mean the next device can be added neatly without redoing the whole arrangement. While the unit is pulled forward, take the opportunity to vacuum behind it, as dust builds up quickly around warm electronics.

Safety points

• Avoid plugging one extension lead into another. Use a single lead with enough sockets, ideally with surge protection.
• Do not overload an extension lead. Check the combined power rating of your devices.
• Keep cables away from heat sources and do not run them under rugs where they can be walked on and damaged.
• Leave space around devices for airflow, and never cover ventilation grilles.
• Replace any cable with damaged insulation.

Cable management for renters

If you rent, drilling into walls for trunking or in wall routing is usually not permitted. Freestanding TVs on units with good rear access are the simplest option. Position the unit in front of the socket, use reusable ties and sleeves and choose removable adhesive clips if you need to run cables along skirting boards. Our guide on how to fit a TV unit into a rented UK living room offers more layout ideas.

A small detail with a big effect

Cable management is rarely the reason someone falls for a TV unit, but it is often the reason they are still happy with it years later. When the wires are hidden and the devices are easy to reach, the unit does its job quietly and the room looks finished. You can compare cable friendly designs across our full range at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I hide TV wires without cutting into the wall?

Use a paintable surface trunking channel from the screen to the unit, or keep the television on the unit so cables drop straight down behind it. Position the unit in front of the sockets.

Is it safe to put a router inside a TV unit?

It is safe, but wireless performance may drop inside a closed cupboard. An open shelf usually gives a better signal and allows the router to stay cool.

Can I run TV cables inside the wall myself?

Low voltage cables can sometimes be routed by a confident DIYer, but anything involving mains power should be handled by a qualified electrician.

What should I look for in a cable friendly TV unit?

Rear cable ports in each compartment, an open or removable back, enough internal depth for plugs and ventilation for devices that produce heat.