Wall mounted display cabinets are glazed or open cabinets fixed directly to the wall rather than standing on the floor. They typically range from around 40cm to 120cm wide, 20cm to 35cm deep and 30cm to 100cm tall, and they are usually hung at or just above eye level. Because they keep the floor clear, they make small rooms feel larger, and they let you display objects at a height where they are easy to see. Styles run from minimal floating boxes to framed glass cabinets, in finishes including gloss, wood, painted and metal. Our modern display cabinets UK range includes wall hung designs alongside freestanding pieces.
They are a practical choice for UK homes, where floor space is often limited and rooms have to work hard. Paired with a low unit beneath, a wall cabinet can form part of a complete storage wall, and it sits comfortably within a wider scheme of living room furniture UK sale without crowding the floor.
The main advantage is space. With nothing on the floor beneath, a room feels more open, and cleaning is easier. That matters in compact living rooms, narrow hallways, small dining areas and bedrooms where every square metre counts.
Wall cabinets also put displays at a comfortable viewing height. Objects in a low cabinet are seen from above, and those at the top of a tall freestanding cabinet can be out of reach. A wall cabinet hung at eye level presents its contents at the height where they are most easily appreciated.
There are practical benefits too. Fragile items are out of reach of small children and pets, and the cabinet will not be knocked by vacuum cleaners or feet.
Narrow wall cabinets of around 40cm to 60cm suit alcoves, the space beside a window and hallways. Mid widths of 80cm to 100cm work above a sideboard, console or desk. Wide designs of 120cm or more can span the wall above a TV unit or create a feature in a larger room. Several smaller cabinets can also be grouped to cover a wider area with more flexibility.
Wall cabinets are generally shallower than freestanding pieces, often between 20cm and 35cm. Shallower designs feel lighter and are less likely to be bumped, while deeper ones hold larger objects such as vases and serving pieces. Above a sideboard or desk, choose a cabinet noticeably shallower than the furniture below, so you can lean over comfortably.
Short cabinets of 30cm to 50cm hold a single row or two of objects and work well in a horizontal line. Taller cabinets of 80cm to 100cm suit vertical spaces such as alcoves and the wall beside a door.
As a starting point, the centre of a wall cabinet hung on its own usually sits close to eye level when standing. When the cabinet is above furniture, the relationship with the piece below matters more.
Above a sideboard or TV unit, leave a clear gap between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the cabinet. Somewhere around 40cm to 60cm often looks balanced and leaves space for lamps and objects on the surface below. Too small a gap looks cramped, too large and the two pieces feel disconnected.
Above a desk, allow enough clearance for a monitor and for you to sit without the cabinet feeling oppressive. In a dining room, consider where people will sit and stand so the cabinet does not catch heads or shoulders.
Before drilling, mark the outline on the wall with masking tape and live with it for a day or two. It is far easier to adjust tape than to fill holes.
How securely a wall cabinet is fixed matters more than almost anything else. UK homes have a variety of wall types: solid brick or block in many older houses, plasterboard on timber or metal studs in many newer homes and extensions, and sometimes lath and plaster in period properties.
Each needs suitable fixings. Solid walls generally take wall plugs and screws well. Plasterboard walls need either fixing into the studs behind or specialist cavity fixings rated for the load. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance, check for hidden pipes and cables before drilling, and consider the weight of the cabinet plus its contents, not the cabinet alone. If you are unsure, a qualified fitter can assess the wall and install the cabinet safely.
Handleless doors, hidden fixings and clean edges give a cabinet the appearance of floating against the wall. These suit contemporary homes and look particularly good in gloss white or matt finishes above a matching low unit.
A slim frame in wood, metal or a painted finish around glass doors and sides lets you see the contents from several angles. These work well for glassware, ceramics and collections that benefit from light passing through.
Open wall cabinets, sometimes called wall boxes or cubes, have no doors at all. They are easy to style and access but leave contents open to dust. They suit books, plants and objects that are handled often.
Cabinets with glazing bars, mouldings or cornice details suit period homes and kitchens with a classic look. They can hold china, glassware and small collections in a way that feels in keeping with older architecture.
High gloss reflects light and helps a small room feel brighter, though it shows fingerprints. Wood and veneer brings warmth and texture and sits comfortably with natural flooring. Painted and matt finishes are calm and adaptable, and a cabinet painted close to the wall colour recedes nicely in a tight space. Metal frames in black or brass add definition and suit industrial or Art Deco influenced rooms.
Wall cabinets come into their own as part of a wider arrangement. A low TV unit with wall cabinets above and either side creates a complete media wall that holds a great deal without filling the floor. Our modern TV units UK include low designs that pair naturally with wall hung storage. Shelving can fill gaps between cabinets, and our shelving units and storage UK sale range includes wall shelves in matching finishes.
When planning a storage wall, start with the low unit and its height, then position wall cabinets in relation to it and to the TV. If you need help with the measurements for the lower piece, our guide to low TV unit measurements for UK living rooms explains the key dimensions.
Keep the arrangement balanced. Symmetry suits formal rooms, while an offset composition with cabinets of different sizes can feel more relaxed and modern.
Wall cabinets often have glass shelves, which let light pass through and keep the display looking airy. Spread weight across each shelf and keep the heaviest items low. Our guide to glass shelf load limits in UK display cabinets explains how thickness and span affect what a shelf can safely carry.
Integrated lighting makes a wall cabinet glow in the evening and turns it into a soft source of light. Plan for cables before fixing: some designs route wiring through the back, while others need a nearby socket or a neat cable cover running down the wall.
Hanging too high. A cabinet placed close to the ceiling looks disconnected from the room and puts its contents out of view. Bring it down so it relates to the furniture below or to eye level.
Overloading. Wall cabinets carry their weight on fixings rather than the floor. Be realistic about what you plan to store, and keep heavy collections in freestanding furniture.
Ignoring the doors. Check which way the doors open and whether they will clash with a nearby window, light switch or door frame. Lift up or sliding doors can help in tight spots.
Forgetting the wall behind. Pipes, cables and uneven plaster can all affect where a cabinet can go. A cable and pipe detector is a worthwhile check before drilling.
Choosing too many finishes. If the wall already holds a TV, shelves and artwork, keep the cabinet in a finish that matches one of them so the wall reads as a single composition.
In living rooms, above a TV unit or sideboard. In dining rooms, above a sideboard to hold glassware. In hallways, where a shallow cabinet keeps the floor clear for coats and bags. In home offices, above a desk for books and personal objects. In bedrooms, beside a dressing table or above a chest of drawers.
When you are ready to plan your wall, you can explore display cabinets, TV units and storage at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
On its own, the centre is usually near eye level. Above furniture, a gap of around 40cm to 60cm between the two pieces often looks balanced.
Yes, with suitable cavity fixings or by fixing into the studs. Always account for the weight of the cabinet and its contents.
Yes. Keeping the floor clear makes a room feel larger, and display at eye level is easy to enjoy.
Choose one noticeably shallower than the sideboard so you can reach the surface below comfortably.
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