8 TV Unit Ideas That Suit an Open-Plan Home Perfectly

The TV units that work best in an open plan home are those that help define the living zone without blocking light or sightlines: low, long units that create a clear horizontal anchor, units finished on all sides so they can stand away from a wall, floating designs that keep the floor visible, and pieces that match or echo the kitchen and dining furniture. The aim is to give the seating area its own identity while keeping the whole space feeling connected.

Open plan living brings its own set of challenges. There may be fewer solid walls, the television may be visible from the kitchen, and noise and clutter travel further. The eight ideas below look at different ways a TV unit can solve those problems. Many of them start with natural materials, and our modern wooden TV stands UK range is a good place to see how warm timber can tie an open space together. Our full TV units UK sale collection also covers low, floating, corner and media wall styles if you want to compare approaches side by side.

1. Use a Low, Long Unit to Anchor the Living Zone

In a large open room, furniture can feel as though it is floating without purpose. A long, low TV unit set against the main wall of the living area gives the space a clear focal line. It tells the eye where the lounge begins and gives the sofa something to face.

Low units also keep sightlines open. From the kitchen you can see across the top of the unit to the windows or garden beyond, which preserves the sense of space that makes open plan living appealing in the first place. Keep the top relatively clear so the line stays clean.

2. Float the Unit Back to Back With the Sofa

Where there is no convenient wall, the television can sit on a unit that stands in the room, with the back of the sofa facing the dining area. For this to work, the TV unit must be finished properly on all sides, as its back will often be seen.

This arrangement creates a room within a room. It suits long, narrow open plan spaces where the living area sits in the middle. Think carefully about cable routes: a floor socket or a neat channel along the floor makes a big difference, and trailing leads across the room are a trip hazard.

3. Choose a Wall Hung Unit to Keep the Floor Clear

Floating TV units fixed to the wall leave the floor visible beneath them. In an open plan home, more visible floor means the eye travels further and the space feels larger. It also makes cleaning easier, which matters when the living area shares floor space with a busy kitchen.

A wall hung unit suits contemporary homes with continuous flooring such as engineered oak, polished concrete or large tiles. Adding a soft LED strip underneath gives a gentle glow in the evening and helps the living area feel separate once the kitchen lights are dimmed.

4. Echo Your Kitchen Finishes

One of the simplest ways to make an open plan space feel coherent is to repeat materials. If the kitchen has oak worktops, an oak TV unit links the two zones. If the cabinetry is matt navy or sage, a unit in a similar tone creates a thread across the room.

The match does not need to be exact. A related tone or the same metal on the handles is often enough. The goal is to avoid the feeling that the kitchen and living area were furnished separately, even when they were.

5. Combine the TV Unit With a Divider or Shelving

If you want a stronger separation between zones, pair the TV unit with open shelving or a screen. A shelving unit placed at the end of the TV unit can form a partial barrier while still letting light through. Books, plants and ceramics on open shelves soften the divide and make it feel intentional.

For a lighter touch, a slatted or fabric divider can screen the television from the dining table without closing the space off. Our modern room dividers UK collection includes freestanding options that can be moved as needed.

6. Hide the Screen When It Is Not in Use

In a space that serves as kitchen, dining and living room, a large black screen can dominate. Some people prefer a TV cabinet with sliding or folding doors that close over the television, or a unit tall enough to conceal a screen on a lift mechanism. Others simply position the TV so it is not visible from the main dining seat.

Another option is a television that displays artwork when idle. Paired with a slim unit and a simple frame around the wall, this can make the TV wall look more like a gallery wall than a screen.

Whichever route you take, think about the view from the spot where you spend most time outside the living zone. For many households that is the hob or the kitchen sink. If the screen is the first thing you see from there, the whole space can feel as though it revolves around the television, even when it is switched off.

7. Use a Rug to Frame the Unit and Seating

Rugs are one of the most effective tools in an open plan room. A large rug that sits under the front legs of the sofa and extends towards the TV unit creates a defined island for the living area. Without it, the seating can drift visually into the rest of the room.

Choose a rug large enough to connect the key pieces. A rug that is too small looks lost in an open space. Our large modern rugs UK selection includes sizes that suit generous living zones.

8. Go Tall and Built Up for a Media Wall

If the living area has a single solid wall, a full height media wall can turn it into a feature that holds the space together. A central TV unit flanked by tall cabinets or shelves gives a lot of storage and creates a strong visual backdrop.

This works particularly well in modern new build homes where open plan kitchens and lounges are common but storage is limited. Keep the colours calm and the arrangement symmetrical for a tidy result, and use closed cupboards at the bottom to hide equipment and clutter.

Practical Points for Open Plan Spaces

Whichever idea you choose, a few practical considerations will help the unit work day to day.

• Glare: open plan rooms often have large windows and glazed doors. Check where sunlight falls on the screen at different times of day before fixing the TV position.
• Acoustics: hard floors and open spaces carry sound. Soft furnishings, a rug and curtains reduce echo, and a soundbar in the TV unit can improve dialogue clarity without turning the volume up.
• Sockets and cables: plan power and aerial or network points early, particularly if the unit will stand away from a wall.
• Storage: open plan homes gather clutter from several activities. Closed storage in the TV unit gives you somewhere to put things away quickly.
• Scale: in large rooms, small units can look lost. Choose a unit proportioned to the wall or zone, not just to the television.

Choosing a Finish That Works Across Zones

In a room where the kitchen, dining and living areas are all visible at once, the finish of the TV unit carries more weight than it would in a separate lounge. Natural wood is the easiest to blend, because it tends to sit comfortably with both kitchen cabinetry and soft furnishings. Matt painted finishes in muted colours are similarly forgiving. High gloss can work well in sleek, contemporary kitchens with glossy doors, but it may feel out of step with a rustic or Shaker style kitchen.

Consider the flooring too. With continuous flooring running throughout, a unit that contrasts gently with the floor will stand out enough to define the zone without looking like it belongs to a different room.

Bringing the Zones Together

A TV unit in an open plan home is more than a place for the television. It is part of how the space is organised. Consider how it relates to the kitchen, the dining table and the routes people take through the room. When those relationships are right, the living area feels calm and defined without cutting itself off.

For more on the choice between fixed and open designs, our comparison of wall mounted and open shelf TV units in UK homes sets out the differences clearly. If you already own a floating unit, our article on when to upgrade a floating TV unit in a UK home may help you decide whether it still suits the space.

You can explore everything for your living space at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should the TV go in an open plan living room?

Place it where the seating can face it comfortably and where it is least visible from the kitchen or dining table. Check for window glare before deciding.

Can a TV unit be used as a room divider?

Yes, as long as it is finished on all sides and stable. A unit standing behind or in front of the sofa can help separate the living and dining zones.

What size TV unit suits an open plan room?

Choose a unit that is wider than the television and in proportion to the living zone. In large rooms, a longer unit usually looks more settled.

How do I stop the TV dominating an open plan space?

Use a unit with doors, a screen that displays artwork when idle, or position the TV so it is not in direct view from the dining area.