TV stand and media storage ideas for your home
Your TV is likely to be the focal point of your living room – but if you don’t spend some time planning your TV area, it will quickly turn into a cluttered mess that sticks out like a sore thumb from your carefully considered interiors.
From tangled cables and scattered remotes to stacks of games consoles and DVDs (remember them?!), keeping things tidy takes more than just good intentions. Finding the right TV unit and choosing appropriate media storage is essential to maintaining some order in this much-used part of your home and ensuring your TV stand complements your style.
Read on for our tried-and-tested TV unit ideas!
Choose a TV unit that matches your space and style
The first step in creating a clean and visually appealing media area is choosing a TV stand for your living room that fits both your space and falls in line with your design preferences. Whether you have a compact apartment or a spacious open-plan home, you’ll be pleased to know there’s a wide range of stylish TV units to suit your needs.
Corner units are ideal for small or awkwardly shaped rooms. Corner TV stands make the most of unused space while keeping the room feeling open and balanced. These are great when you want to free up wall space or maintain better traffic flow, too.
You might like: Farrow Corner TV Stand
Wide lowline TV stands are perfect for larger living rooms. These long, low-profile units provide ample surface area for your tech and extra room for TV stand décor ideas; pieces like candles, photo frames or houseplants can be added to soften the look of all the hardware. Lowline TV stands will also help ground a large TV and, when placed correctly, can anchor the entire room.
You might like: Kari Dark Oak Extra Wide 190cm TV Unit
Wall-mounted TV stand designs, with their sleek, floating look, lend themselves well to minimalist designs or a modern vibe. They give the illusion of more floor space – and they eliminate the need to dust and tidy another piece of furniture.
TV units with built-in shelving are a sensible choice for those who want everything in one place. With these nifty pieces of kit, your TV, gaming consoles, books, and decorative pieces will all have somewhere to live. A well-designed shelving unit can even function as a mini entertainment centre without overwhelming the space.
You might like: Shorwell Dark Oak 180cm Slatted Large TV Unit
When choosing your stand, consider the size of your screen. TV unit designs that are too small can look awkward and unstable, while oversized units can dominate the space unnecessarily. Your piece should be at least as wide as your TV (ideally with a few inches spare either side), and, of course, proportionate to nearby furniture like your sofa or coffee table.
Add storage without sacrificing style
Functionality is key when planning your TV setup, but it doesn’t mean you have to compromise on aesthetics. Look for TV stand ideas with built-in storage to keep all those accessories hidden away but easily accessible for everyone.
Consider TV units with drawers and cupboards if you’re particularly worried about hiding clutter. You can tuck away manuals, extra cables, or board games in deep drawers and use cupboards for bulkier tech like routers and external speakers.
You might like: Penzance 190cm TV Unit
Open shelves allow you to display all sorts of personal and practical items from your TV stand, including storage baskets, artistic pieces, or perhaps even your collection of books and vinyl records. This type of layout works especially well for those who love a lived-in, layered look and want to show off their belongings rather than sweep them into closed storage.
You might like: Fran Oak 120cm Large TV Unit
Much to the delight of style-conscious homeowners, modern media storage solutions now come in a variety of finishes. The goal is to find something that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your decor. For example, you could opt for woodgrain for a rustic or mid-century feel, matte black for a sleek industrial look, or high-gloss white for contemporary spaces.
You might like: Whitstone Oak 180cm TV Unit, with its unique half-moon handle features
Remember too that many of today’s TV units include smart features like built-in holes or channels for cable routing. These small details make a big difference in keeping the area tidy.
You might like: Mia Large TV Unit with Wireless Charging
Go vertical with wall-mounted shelves or panels
If floor space is limited, it’s time to build up rather than sideways! Wall-mounted media storage not only keeps clutter off your surfaces but also adds a decorative element to your TV area. Think floating shelves or vertical units that flank the screen to create a balanced, intentional layout.
Vertical TV unit decoration ideas include using slim shelving units to house books, plants, or framed art. This approach can make your TV setup feel more like a curated part of the room rather than a black box that’s been haphazardly stuck to the wall.
You might like: Shorwell Oak & Marble Slatted Large Ladder TV Unit
Modular panel systems are fantastic for those of you who want a custom-looking media wall without the cost of bespoke joinery. Often sold in sets, they can include a mix of shelves, cabinets, and wall-mounted brackets.
You could also combine a few matching floating shelves and wall-mounted cabinets to give the illusion of a built-in unit. Make sure you stick to a consistent colour palette or wood tone to pull everything together.
You can also add a touch of your own personality to your TV unit design by mixing decorative and functional items. For example, why not surround your screen with a few plants, framed prints, or sculptural pieces?
Double up with a sideboard as a TV stand
If you're after a truly versatile TV stand idea, consider using a sideboard as a TV unit. Sideboards are not just a classy addition to any front room – they also provide generous space for all those loose objects that otherwise leave your room looking messy, making them an excellent choice for multi-purpose media storage.
Struggling to find the right fit for a multifunctional room? In homes where open spaces reign supreme and designated ‘zones’ replace actual rooms, a sleek sideboard can serve as a TV platform while also holding dinnerware, books, or office supplies.
You might like: Moreno 2 Drawer 2 Door Wide Sideboard or Mylor Oak Large 4 Door Sideboard
Vintage or designer sideboards can double as both functional storage and a statement piece. Just ensure the height is right, because if you choose furniture that’s too tall or too short, your viewing angle may become uncomfortable. Bear in mind too that sideboards usually don’t come with built-in cable management, so a little DIY (or some strategic placement) may be required if you’re keen to hide cords and tech gear.
Whether you're setting up a brand-new entertainment space or revamping an existing one, planning your TV stand and media storage ideas with intention can completely transform your living room. From stylish TV units that reflect your personality to clever media storage solutions that hide away the chaos, the right choices will create a space that's both beautiful and functional.
If you need help picking a TV stand or simply want more information on the great range of TV unit designs on offer from Roseland Furniture, feel free to contact our team.
