To choose a TV unit with drawers, start by listing what you actually need to store, then match the number, depth and type of drawers to those items. Check that the drawers run on proper metal runners, that the unit is wider than your television and at a comfortable viewing height, and that there is still somewhere open or ventilated for equipment that needs airflow. Get those points right and the style decision becomes much easier.<\/p>\n
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Drawers are the most underrated feature on a TV unit. Shelves and cupboards are fine for large items, but the living room is full of small things: remotes, chargers, games, batteries, instruction booklets, coasters. Drawers keep these organised and within reach in a way that a cupboard never quite manages. Our collection of modern TV units UK<\/a> households choose includes plenty of designs with drawers, from single slim drawers to full chest style arrangements, and they sit within our wider modern living room furniture UK sale<\/a> collection so you can coordinate the rest of the room.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Before you look at a single product, spend five minutes looking around your living room. What lives near the television now? What would you like to hide?<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Typical items include:<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/ul>\n n<\/p>\n Group them by size. Small, frequently used items suit shallow top drawers. Bulky or less frequently used items suit deeper lower drawers or cupboards. This quick exercise will stop you choosing a unit with three deep drawers when what you really need is several shallow ones.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n TV units with drawers generally fall into a few layouts. Each has strengths.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Long, low units with a row of two to four drawers across the front are common in contemporary designs. They keep the look streamlined and give good general storage. They work well in rooms where the TV sits on the unit and you want a clean, horizontal line.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n This is the most practical layout for most homes. Drawers hide clutter, while open shelves hold a set top box, games console or router that needs airflow and remote access. Look for designs where the open section is in the centre, directly beneath the screen.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A unit with drawers above and doors below, or drawers on one side and a cupboard on the other, offers the most flexible storage. It suits families with a mix of small and large items to hide.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Taller units with stacked drawers are useful in bedrooms or small living rooms where floor space is limited. They lift the TV higher, so check viewing height carefully.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A drawer that sticks, sags or wobbles will frustrate you daily. It is worth paying close attention to how they are built.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/ol>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Drawers add an extra dimension to your measurements, because you need space to pull them open.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Start with width. The unit should be wider than your television so the screen does not overhang. Then check depth: a drawer that is deep enough for a games box needs a unit of at least moderate depth, which may stick out further than you expect in a narrow room. Finally, measure the clearance in front of the unit. If a coffee table or footstool sits close by, will the drawers still open fully?<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Height matters for comfort. When you sit on your sofa, the centre of the screen should be close to eye level. Low units with a single row of drawers generally suit standard sofas well. Taller chest style units may push the screen higher than is comfortable unless your seating is also high, or you plan to tilt the TV slightly.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n One mistake we see often is choosing a unit with only drawers and doors, then discovering there is nowhere sensible to put the router or console. Electronics need airflow to stay cool, and many devices still rely on infrared remotes that need a clear line of sight.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n If you love a fully closed design, check for rear cable cutouts and consider devices that use Bluetooth or WiFi controls. Otherwise, a unit with drawers and at least one open compartment is the more practical everyday choice.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n The material affects both appearance and how well the drawers hold up.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/ul>\n n<\/p>\n Think about handles too. Handleless drawers with push to open fronts look sleek, but a well placed handle is often easier to use when you are reaching for a remote in the dark.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n In compact spaces, a TV unit with drawers often has to do more than one job. In a studio flat it may be the main storage in the room. In a bedroom it can double as a chest of drawers, holding folded clothes or bedding alongside the television.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n If space is tight, prioritise a unit with slim drawers rather than deep cupboards. Drawers make better use of the full depth of the unit, because you can pull them out and see everything at once, whereas items at the back of a cupboard tend to be forgotten. A unit on legs also helps a small room feel lighter, even if it gives you slightly less storage than a plinth base.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n For bedrooms, think about height from the bed rather than the sofa. You will usually be lying back or propped up on pillows, so a slightly taller unit can work well here. Quiet, soft close drawers are worth having too, particularly if one person tends to get up earlier than the other.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Finally, remember access. In a narrow room, drawers that open towards a bed or a door can become awkward. Check that you can stand comfortably in front of the unit with a drawer fully extended.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A drawer is only useful if you can find things in it. A few simple habits keep them working:<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/ul>\n n<\/p>\n If you have a large collection of films or games, a dedicated piece from our CD and DVD storage UK<\/a> range can take the pressure off the TV unit and keep the drawers for smaller items.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n The TV unit rarely works alone. It sits alongside a sofa, a coffee table and often a sideboard or shelving. Choosing a unit that shares a finish or wood tone with other pieces helps the room feel settled. If you need extra space for things that do not belong near the TV, our modern storage furniture UK<\/a> options can absorb the overflow elsewhere in the room.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n If you are still deciding between drawers and doors, our article on TV units with doors for a luxury UK look<\/a> explores the alternative. For help with sizing, see our guide on choosing a TV unit for a 55 inch TV in UK homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\nBegin With an Honest Inventory<\/h3>\n
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Understand the Main Drawer Layouts<\/h3>\n
A single row of drawers<\/h3>\n
Drawers combined with open shelves<\/h3>\n
Drawers combined with cupboards<\/h3>\n
Chest style units<\/h3>\n
Check the Quality of the Drawers Themselves<\/h3>\n
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Measure for the Room, the TV and the Drawers<\/h3>\n
Balance Drawers With Airflow and Access<\/h3>\n
Match the Material to Your Home and Lifestyle<\/h3>\n
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Drawers in Small Rooms, Flats and Bedrooms<\/h3>\n
Organise the Drawers Once They Arrive<\/h3>\n
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Think About the Room as a Whole<\/h3>\n