To choose a TV unit with storage, start by listing everything that needs to live around the television, then pick a unit whose mix of drawers, cupboards and open shelves matches that list. Check that closed sections are ventilated for electronics, that there are cable routes at the back, that the top can carry your screen and that the depth suits your walkway. Get those basics right and the finish and style become the easy part.
Storage focused designs come in many shapes, from compact cabinets to long, wall spanning pieces. Our collection of modern entertainment units UK homes rely on shows the range of layouts available, and our wider selection of modern TV stands and cabinets UK sale includes every size and finish.
Before looking at any units, gather everything that currently lives near the TV and sort it into groups. Most households end up with something like this:
Each group suits a different type of storage. Always on devices need airflow and access for cables. Small items suit drawers. Media suits shelves or cupboards sized to fit. Seeing the list written down makes it much easier to compare units honestly.
Drawers are the best place for small items that would otherwise clutter the top of the unit. Shallow drawers keep remotes and controllers easy to find. Deeper drawers can take games and discs stored spine up. Look for smooth runners and, if possible, soft close mechanisms, which reduce wear and noise.
Cupboards hide bulkier items and devices you do not need to see. Adjustable shelves inside are a real advantage because equipment comes in different heights. For media collections, dedicated units can help; our CD and DVD storage UK range includes pieces designed specifically for discs and games.
Open shelves are useful for devices that need line of sight to a remote, such as some set top boxes and soundbars. They also give space for display. The trade off is that everything on them is on show, so plan to keep them tidy.
Glass or smoked glass doors offer a middle ground: devices are protected from dust and look neat, while remote signals pass through. Tinted glass hides the clutter of cables better than clear glass.
This is the step most often overlooked. Games consoles, set top boxes and amplifiers produce heat, and enclosing them in a solid cupboard with no airflow can cause them to run hot, slow down or shut off.
Look for units with ventilation holes, open or partly open backs, slatted doors or gaps above and below doors. Leave some space between devices inside the cupboard rather than stacking them tightly. Keep the unit a short distance from the wall so warm air can escape. If a device runs particularly warm, an open shelf is often the better home for it.
A unit with generous storage but poor cable routing can end up messier than a simple shelf. Check for cable holes in the back panel, grommets in the top and openings between compartments so leads can pass from one section to another.
Some practical habits help too:
Width should be a little greater than your screen, so the television looks balanced and does not overhang. Height should put the centre of the screen near seated eye level, which usually means a low unit. Depth is often the most important measurement in UK living rooms: it needs to hold your devices comfortably but still leave a clear walkway.
Measure the space at floor level, allowing for skirting boards, radiators and sockets. Check that doors and drawers can open fully without hitting the sofa, a coffee table or a nearby door. In a small room, marking the footprint on the floor with masking tape for a day or two is a simple way to check the fit before you commit.
Storage units carry more than just a television. A full drawer of games, a soundbar and a heavy console all add weight. Look for a stated weight capacity and compare it with your equipment. A thick top and a central support help prevent sagging on longer units.
Stability matters in family homes. Choose a unit deep enough to support your TV stand fully, and use the safety strap supplied with the television or a wall fixing kit for the unit, especially if children might pull on drawers.
Materials affect both looks and durability. Solid wood is strong and can be refinished, but it is heavy and responds to heat and humidity. Veneers give real grain with better stability. High gloss reflects light and can brighten a dark room, though it shows fingerprints. Matt lacquer looks calm and modern. Wood effect finishes are hardwearing and easy to clean.
For storage heavy units, the quality of the carcass and the fixings matters as much as the finish. Drawers that are well built and doors that hang straight will keep working for years, while poor hinges and runners are often the first things to fail.
Sometimes the best answer is not a bigger TV unit but storage spread more evenly across the room. A medium sized unit paired with a sideboard, bookcase or cabinet can hold just as much while feeling lighter. Our range of modern storage furniture UK includes pieces that complement TV units in tone and style.
Keep the top of the unit mostly clear so the television and a few chosen objects can breathe. When storage is doing its job properly, the room should feel calmer than before.
If you are considering a longer piece for a larger room, our checklist of questions to ask before buying a large TV unit in the UK covers proportion, weight and layout in detail. If space is tight instead, our guide on where a small TV unit should go in a UK room is worth reading before you decide.
The right balance of storage depends on who uses the room. Gaming households need ventilated space for one or more consoles, plus drawers deep enough for controllers, headsets and charging docks. Film lovers with a collection of discs benefit from shelves sized to fit, ideally behind doors to keep dust off. Families with young children often find that a low cupboard for toys and board games is the most valuable feature of all, because it lets the room reset quickly at the end of the day.
For households that mostly stream, the needs are simpler: a ventilated spot for the router and streaming box, a drawer for remotes and perhaps a shelf for a few books or objects. In that case, a smaller unit with fewer compartments can look cleaner and leave more floor space free.
A few errors come up again and again. Buying a unit with plenty of cupboards but no ventilation. Choosing drawers too shallow for games or controllers. Forgetting that the router needs to stay reachable. Picking a unit so deep it narrows the walkway. Ignoring where the sockets are. Each is easy to avoid with the steps above, and each makes a big difference to daily life.
Another is buying for the equipment you had rather than the equipment you have. Streaming has reduced the need for disc storage in many homes, while consoles and soundbars have grown. Plan for your current setup with a little room to spare.
Even the best unit fills up. Give each drawer or cupboard a clear purpose and stick to it. Small trays or dividers inside drawers stop remotes and cables tangling. A quick sort every few months, removing old leads and unused devices, keeps the unit working as intended.
Once you know what you need, you can compare storage focused TV units alongside sideboards, cabinets and occasional furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Both have a role. Drawers suit small items such as remotes, controllers and chargers. Cupboards suit devices and bulkier items. Many households find a combination works best.
Only if the cupboard is well ventilated. Look for vents, slatted doors or an open back, and leave space around the console. Otherwise, place it on an open shelf.
Remotes generally work through clear or tinted glass, and through slatted doors. Solid wooden or lacquered doors will usually block the signal.
Deep enough to hold your largest device and support the TV stand, but shallow enough to keep a comfortable walkway. In most UK living rooms, a moderate depth strikes the right balance.
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