To measure your room for a reclaimed wood TV unit, follow six steps: measure the full width of your TV, measure the wall or alcove, check the depth you can spare, work out the ideal height for seated viewing, map your sockets and obstacles, and finally check the route the unit will take into the room. Because reclaimed timber varies from piece to piece and is often heavier and slightly less uniform than new wood, it is worth allowing a little extra tolerance at every stage.<\/p>\n
Reclaimed wood brings warmth, texture and a sense of history to a living room, and each unit is slightly different. Our modern wooden TV stands UK<\/a> include rustic and reclaimed style designs, and our full range of TV stands and cabinets UK sale<\/a> lets you compare sizes and layouts once you have your measurements.<\/p>\n Screen sizes are quoted as a diagonal measurement, which does not tell you how wide the TV actually is. Measure the full width of the TV from edge to edge, including the frame. Then measure the distance between its feet or the width of its central stand, and the depth of that base from front to back.<\/p>\n Your reclaimed wood unit should be wider than the TV. A margin on each side looks more balanced and gives space for a lamp, plant or speaker. The top must also be deep enough to hold the feet or stand safely, with nothing overhanging the front edge.<\/p>\n If you plan to add a soundbar in front of the TV, measure its depth too and add it to the depth you need on top.<\/p>\n Measure the full width of the wall where the unit will stand, at floor level and again at roughly the height of the unit top. Older UK homes often have walls that are not entirely straight, and alcoves beside chimney breasts can taper slightly. Use the smaller figure.<\/p>\n If the unit will sit in an alcove, allow a small gap on each side so it does not look squeezed in and so you can reach behind it for cables. Reclaimed wood can have slightly irregular edges, which makes this breathing room even more useful.<\/p>\n Once you have a target width, mark it on the floor and the wall with masking tape. Seeing the outline in the room helps you judge whether the size feels right.<\/p>\n Depth is where many small rooms run into trouble. Measure from the wall to the nearest obstruction in front: the sofa, a coffee table, a door swing or the walkway through the room. You need comfortable space to walk past the unit and, if it has drawers or doors, room for them to open fully.<\/p>\n Reclaimed wood units are often chunkier than modern designs, with thicker tops and frames. Check the overall depth in the product description, not just the depth of the top. Use tape to mark the front edge on the floor and walk around it for a day or two to see whether it feels restrictive.<\/p>\n For comfortable viewing, the centre of the screen should sit roughly at your eye level when seated. Sit on your sofa in your usual position and ask someone to measure from the floor to your eye level. Then subtract the distance from the bottom of the TV to the centre of its screen, and the height of the TV's feet. What remains is a good guide to the height of the unit.<\/p>\n Many people find a low unit most comfortable. If the TV will be mounted on the wall, the unit height becomes a matter of style and storage, though it should still sit comfortably below the screen. Our range of wall TV brackets UK<\/a> can help if you prefer to lift the screen and use the unit purely for storage and display.<\/p>\n Note the position and height of power sockets, aerial points, broadband connections and light switches. A solid back panel on a reclaimed wood unit could block access, so check whether the unit has cable holes or an open back. Mark these points on your sketch.<\/p>\n Look out for radiators, skirting boards, low window sills and floor vents. Reclaimed timber should not sit directly against a radiator, as heat can dry the wood and cause movement or cracking. Deep skirting boards can push a unit further from the wall than expected, so measure the depth of the skirting and include it in your calculations.<\/p>\n Consider what equipment will live in the unit. Games consoles, amplifiers and set top boxes need ventilation space above and behind them. If you have a larger audio system, a separate piece from our hifi stands and units UK<\/a> range can keep the TV unit uncluttered.<\/p>\n This step is often forgotten. Reclaimed wood units can be heavy and may arrive fully assembled. Measure the width and height of your front door, any internal doors on the route, and the width of hallways and stairways. Pay attention to tight turns at the top or bottom of stairs, which are common in terraced houses and converted flats.<\/p>\n Compare these figures with the packaged dimensions of the unit, which are often given in the product details. If the route is tight, look for designs that come in sections or with removable legs.<\/p>\n Reclaimed timber is sourced from old buildings, boats, furniture and industrial structures. Its colour, grain and texture vary, and small differences in dimension are part of its character. Knots, filled nail holes, saw marks and patches of colour are expected features rather than flaws.<\/p>\n For measuring, this means you should treat quoted dimensions as a close guide and allow a little leeway, especially in tight alcoves. The wood may also move slightly with seasonal changes in humidity, so avoid forcing a unit into a space that leaves no margin.<\/p>\n A TV described by its diagonal size is much narrower than that figure suggests. Always measure the actual width of the set.<\/p>\n Deep skirting in older homes can push a unit forward from the wall, reducing the space in front. Measure the skirting depth and add it to your calculations.<\/p>\n Walls in period properties are rarely straight. Measure alcoves at more than one height and use the narrowest figure.<\/p>\n A unit that fits against the wall may still be awkward if its doors cannot open fully because of a sofa or coffee table. Allow space for them.<\/p>\n Reclaimed wood is often dense and heavy. Consider whether your floor, especially in an upstairs flat or on older floorboards, is suitable, and plan how the unit will be carried in.<\/p>\n Once you have your six sets of measurements, write down the maximum width, maximum depth and ideal height the unit can be. Then add the minimum width and depth needed to hold your TV and equipment. Any unit that falls within these ranges should suit your room.<\/p>\n If you would like further guidance, our article on measuring your UK room for an oak TV unit<\/a> covers similar principles for solid oak, and our guide to standard UK sizes for tall TV units<\/a> is useful if you need more vertical storage.<\/p>\nWhat You Will Need<\/h3>\n
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Step 1: Measure Your TV Properly<\/h3>\n
Step 2: Measure the Wall or Alcove<\/h3>\n
Step 3: Check the Depth You Can Spare<\/h3>\n
Step 4: Work Out the Right Height<\/h3>\n
Step 5: Map Sockets, Aerials and Obstacles<\/h3>\n
Step 6: Check the Route Into Your Home<\/h3>\n
Understanding Reclaimed Wood Variation<\/h3>\n
Common Measuring Mistakes<\/h3>\n
Using the screen size instead of the width<\/h3>\n
Forgetting the skirting board<\/h3>\n
Measuring only at floor level<\/h3>\n
Ignoring door and drawer clearance<\/h3>\n
Overlooking the weight<\/h3>\n
Putting It All Together<\/h3>\n