Yes, you can put a TV unit with drawers in a small room, and it is often one of the smartest ways to add storage. Drawers make excellent use of limited space because they bring everything within reach, so there is no need to kneel down and rummage at the back of a deep cupboard. The key is choosing a unit with the right depth, allowing clearance for the drawers to open, and keeping the overall look light.
Corners are often the most underused part of a compact room, which is why our modern corner TV stands UK are worth considering alongside straight designs. You can compare them with every other shape and finish in our full range of modern TV units UK sale.
Cupboards are useful for larger items, but small objects tend to get lost in them. Remotes, cables, chargers, batteries, game controllers and instruction booklets all benefit from shallow, organised storage. A drawer shows you everything at once, which keeps it tidy and makes the most of every centimetre.
In a small room, where every surface is visible, being able to put things away quickly makes a real difference to how calm the space feels.
This is the step most people overlook. A drawer needs space in front of it to open fully. Measure the depth of the drawers and make sure there is enough clear floor in front of the unit, without a coffee table, pouffe or sofa blocking it.
In very tight rooms, a unit with shallower drawers or drawers that open only partway may be more practical. Check the product details for the drawer depth and the unit’s overall depth together.
Depth matters as much as width in a small room. A slimmer unit keeps walkways clear and makes the room feel less crowded. However, too shallow a unit may not hold a set top box or console, and it may be less stable for the television.
Measure your devices and your screen’s stand before choosing. The aim is a unit just deep enough for what it needs to hold.
Different layouts suit different needs:
Think about what you actually need to store, then choose the configuration that matches.
Corner units can be a revelation in small rooms. They tuck into a space that often sits empty, freeing the main walls for a sofa, bookcase or window seat. Many corner designs include drawers or cupboards within their angled frame.
Before choosing a corner unit, check that the TV’s feet or stand fit the front edge, and that drawers can open without catching on skirting boards or radiators.
A unit with drawers can look heavier than an open design, so finish and form become important. Some ideas:
Mounting the television frees the top of the unit, which means you can choose a smaller unit sized purely for storage. It also removes the need for the unit to be as wide as the screen’s stand. In rented homes, check your agreement before drilling, and if mounting is not possible, a unit with a sturdy top and drawers below remains a strong option.
Drawers stay useful only if they stay organised. Simple drawer dividers or small boxes keep categories separate. A shallow tray for remotes, a pouch for cables and a box for batteries and spare bulbs make a surprising difference. Label them if several people share the room.
Review the contents every few months. Small rooms fill up quickly, and clearing out old cables and chargers keeps the drawers working as intended.
A TV unit with drawers can be part of a wider storage plan. In a small living room or bedroom, combining it with slim shelving or a compact storage cabinet elsewhere keeps the whole room tidy without overloading one piece. Our modern storage furniture UK includes compact designs that complement a TV unit without crowding the space.
Keep storage pieces in a similar finish so the room feels coherent. Too many different materials can make a small space feel busy.
It also helps to decide what belongs in the TV unit and what belongs elsewhere. Items used while watching, such as remotes, controllers and headphones, earn a place in the drawers. Seasonal decorations, spare bedding or paperwork are better stored in a separate cabinet or under the bed. Giving each piece of furniture a clear job stops the drawers from becoming a catch all and keeps them easy to use.
Drawers are opened and closed many times a week, so construction matters. Look for runners that glide smoothly and support the drawer fully when extended. Soft close runners are worth having, as they prevent slamming and protect the unit over time.
The finish should suit how the room is used. High gloss wipes clean easily and reflects light, which helps small rooms. Timber and wood effect finishes hide minor marks well and bring warmth. Matt painted finishes feel calm but may need a gentle touch when cleaning.
Check the drawer bases too. A sturdy base will cope with the weight of cables, controllers and small electronics without sagging.
In homes with young children, drawers can be tempting to climb. Always secure the unit to the wall using the fixings supplied, especially if a television sits on top. This keeps the unit stable even if several drawers are opened at once.
Store heavier items in the lower drawers to keep the centre of gravity low. Consider simple drawer catches if you store batteries, chargers or anything small enough to be a hazard. These measures take little time and give real peace of mind.
Small rooms often come with awkward features: a door that opens towards the TV wall, a radiator under the only free stretch of wall, or a bay window that leaves little flat wall at all. A few approaches help:
Sketching the room on paper, with the unit and open drawers drawn to scale, is a simple way to spot problems before they arise.
The same principles apply wherever the unit goes. In a small living room, the drawers can hold remotes and games. In a bedroom, they might store books, chargers or even folded clothes. In a snug or study, a TV unit with drawers can double as a sideboard for paperwork.
That versatility is one of the best reasons to choose drawers. If you are still weighing up size, our article asking whether a small TV unit is worth it for UK homes explores where compact pieces offer the most value.
Once the unit is in place, keep the top surface simple. A lamp, a plant and one or two objects are enough. Hide cables behind the unit and use the drawers for everything else. A small room with clear surfaces feels far larger than one where every ledge is full.
Explore our full collection of modern furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Allow at least the depth of the drawer plus a little extra so you can stand comfortably while it is open. Keep coffee tables and pouffes clear of this area.
For small items such as remotes, cables and controllers, drawers are usually more practical. Cupboards suit larger items like consoles and boxes. Many units combine both.
Yes. Many corner designs include drawers within the frame. Check that they can open fully without catching on skirting boards or radiators.
Not if you choose carefully. A unit on legs, with handleless fronts and a light finish, keeps a small room feeling open while adding useful storage.
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