An entertainment unit is a piece of furniture built around your TV and the equipment, media and objects that go with it. The main types are low TV cabinets, wall systems that combine a cabinet with towers or shelving, corner units, wall hung floating units and hifi or media stands. The right design for you depends on three things: how much you need to store, how much wall and floor space you have, and whether you want the television to dominate the room or blend into it.<\/p>\n
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The term “entertainment unit” is used loosely, which can make shopping confusing. Some retailers use it for any TV stand, others only for large wall systems. At its simplest, it means furniture designed to house a screen and everything connected to it. Our dedicated collection of modern entertainment units UK<\/a> homes rely on shows the full breadth of what is available. Below, we explain each design and the kind of household it suits.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n This is the most familiar form: a long, low cabinet that the television sits on or is mounted above. It usually combines closed cupboards or drawers with one or two open shelves for equipment.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Who it suits:<\/strong> Most living rooms. It is flexible, easy to place and works with both freestanding and wall mounted TVs. Low cabinets keep the room feeling open because they do not rise far up the wall.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Things to consider:<\/strong> Storage is limited to the footprint of the unit. If you have a large collection of films, games or books, you may need additional storage elsewhere. The wider range of TV stands and units UK sale<\/a> shoppers compare includes many low cabinets in varying widths and finishes.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A wall system extends beyond a single cabinet. It may include a base unit, tall side towers, bridging shelves above the screen or a combination of all three. Some are sold as a set, while others are modular, letting you build a configuration that fits your wall.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Who it suits:<\/strong> Households that need lots of storage in one place, or rooms where the TV wall is the natural focal point. Wall systems are useful in homes without much other storage, such as flats without built in cupboards.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Things to consider:<\/strong> They take up significant wall space and can feel heavy in small rooms. Choosing a lighter finish, open shelving or glass elements helps. Tall pieces must be secured to the wall for safety, especially in homes with young children.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Corner units are shaped to sit across or into a corner, placing the TV at an angle. They make use of space that is otherwise difficult to furnish.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Who it suits:<\/strong> Rooms where the main wall is taken up by windows, a fireplace or doors, and in awkwardly shaped rooms where a corner offers the best viewing position from the sofa.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Things to consider:<\/strong> Corner units generally offer less storage than straight cabinets and suit smaller screens better. Check that the TV base fits comfortably on the top.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A floating or wall hung unit is fixed directly to the wall, leaving the floor clear underneath. It gives a clean, architectural look and makes a room feel larger because more floor is visible.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Who it suits:<\/strong> Contemporary homes, small spaces and anyone who prefers a minimal look. It is also practical for cleaning, since there are no legs to vacuum around.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Things to consider:<\/strong> The wall must be strong enough. Solid brick walls are straightforward, while plasterboard stud walls need appropriate fixings into timber studs. Load limits are usually lower than for floor standing units, so heavy equipment may need to live elsewhere.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n These pieces are designed around audio equipment rather than the TV itself. They often have open shelves with good airflow, strong supports for heavy amplifiers and turntables, and space for vinyl or CDs.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Who it suits:<\/strong> Music lovers and home cinema enthusiasts who want their equipment displayed rather than hidden. Our hifi stands and units UK<\/a> range covers designs for both separates and compact systems.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Things to consider:<\/strong> Open shelves show everything, so cable management and tidy arrangement matter. Media stands can be used alongside a separate TV unit or as the main piece in a room where music takes priority.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Rather than starting with the look, start with how you actually use the room.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A low cabinet or floating unit is usually enough. Keep the equipment minimal and focus on comfort, lighting and a good viewing height.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Look for open ventilated shelves for consoles, drawers for controllers and headsets, and good cable routing. A wider unit gives space for more than one console and a soundbar.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n A wall system or a TV unit paired with shelving will serve you better. Consider adding a piece from our modern bookcases UK<\/a> collection alongside a lower TV cabinet, which keeps the storage generous without making the TV wall too heavy.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Closed storage is your friend. Doors and drawers hide toys, games and clutter quickly. Rounded edges and sturdy construction also make sense around small children.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Choose a unit in a colour close to your wall, mount the screen and keep the surrounding shelves styled with books and art. The TV then becomes one element of a composed wall rather than the only thing you notice.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Whichever design you prefer, these checks apply:<\/p>\n n<\/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 n<\/p>\n The finish should suit both your room and your routine. Wood and wood effect finishes bring warmth and are forgiving of fingerprints. High gloss looks crisp and reflects light, useful in darker rooms, but it shows smudges. Matt painted finishes feel soft and modern. Glass adds lightness and lets remote signals through, but needs regular cleaning.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n If the unit will sit alongside other furniture, choose finishes that relate to each other. They do not need to match exactly. Repeating a wood tone or a metal detail is often enough to tie the room together.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n An entertainment unit tends to stay in a home for many years, while the technology it holds changes far more often. It is worth choosing a design that can adapt.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Screens have grown steadily larger, so a unit with some spare width on either side of your current TV gives you room to upgrade later without replacing the furniture. Equipment has also become smaller and more wireless. Where older setups needed space for disc players and receivers, many homes now rely on a streaming stick, a soundbar and perhaps a console. Flexible shelving, removable dividers and adjustable heights make it easier to reorganise as your needs shift.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Households change too. A room that is used for quiet evenings now may become a family room with games and toys in a few years, or the other way round. Modular wall systems are useful here, because you can add or remove pieces. With a single cabinet, closed storage that can hold almost anything tends to age better than compartments shaped around specific devices.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\n Finally, think about a future move. A unit of moderate width in a versatile finish will fit a new home more easily than a very large, bespoke looking system.<\/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 If lighting appeals, our guide to LED TV units for UK living rooms<\/a> explains what to look for. For advice on screen sizing, see choosing a TV unit for a 55 inch TV in UK homes<\/a>.<\/p>\n n<\/p>\nThe Low TV Cabinet<\/h3>\n
The Wall System<\/h3>\n
The Corner Unit<\/h3>\n
The Floating Unit<\/h3>\n
The Media or Hifi Stand<\/h3>\n
Matching the Design to Your Lifestyle<\/h3>\n
If the room is mainly for relaxing and watching TV<\/h3>\n
If you are a keen gamer<\/h3>\n
If you have a large book or media collection<\/h3>\n
If the living room is also a family space<\/h3>\n
If you want the TV to fade into the background<\/h3>\n
Practical Checks for Any Entertainment Unit<\/h3>\n
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Choosing Materials and Finishes<\/h3>\n
Planning for Future Changes<\/h3>\n
Common Mistakes<\/h3>\n
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