A TV unit with storage does more than “hold the telly”. In most UK homes it becomes the quiet organiser of the living room: it hides cables, keeps consoles tidy, gives your router a sensible home, and stops remotes and chargers from living on the sofa.

From Parrot Uncle UK’s point of view, the best TV unit is the one you never notice day to day—because it fits the space, works with your habits, and doesn’t create new problems (like blocked vents, cramped doors, or cables you can’t reach). This guide keeps things practical and UK-friendly, with simple measuring steps and clear choices.

1) Choosing the Right TV Unit (Function First, Style Second)

How to choose the right TV unit

Start by answering three questions. They sound basic, but they solve most buying mistakes.

1) What needs to live inside it?
Make a quick list: set-top box, soundbar, games console, controller dock, DVDs, kids’ bits, a router, spare leads. Storage isn’t “one size fits all”. A unit that’s perfect for a simple streaming set-up can feel useless for gaming or family clutter.

2) Who uses it and how?
If you have kids, you may prefer cupboards that close fast and keep small items out of sight. If you’re a gamer, you’ll care more about shelf height and airflow. If you rent, you might want a lighter unit that’s easy to move and doesn’t rely on wall mounting.

3) What do you want the room to feel like?
In smaller UK living rooms and flats, a TV unit often needs to look “calm”. That usually means fewer items on show, and surfaces that are easy to wipe. In larger rooms, you can go wider and lower to make the wall feel balanced.

Open shelves vs doors (what works in real life)

Both can be right. The decision is about daily use, not taste.

Open shelves work well when:

• you use devices that need a clear signal path (many remotes use infrared, which generally needs line of sight),

• you want easy access for plugging and unplugging,

• you don’t mind seeing the devices.

Doors (cupboards) work well when:

• you want a tidier look without constantly “styling” shelves,

• you need to hide routers, spare leads, and the everyday mess,

• you have kids or pets and want fewer accessible buttons.

A common compromise we see working well is:

• open shelf for the devices you use daily (set-top box/console),

• cupboards/drawers for everything else (controllers, games, cables, manuals).

Style tips that still look good next year

Trends come and go, but a TV unit is a big piece, so it’s worth choosing a style that won’t feel dated quickly.

• Simple shapes age better. Clean lines and straightforward fronts tend to work with new sofas, rugs, and paint colours.

• Match one thing, not everything. In UK homes, a TV unit often sits near a coffee table or sideboard. If you match one detail (wood tone, handle finish, or leg colour), the room looks pulled together without feeling like a showroom set.

• Think about light and dust. Dark finishes can show dust and fingerprints more. Gloss can show smears. Matte and wood-look finishes often feel easier to live with.

2) TV Unit Size Guide (Width, Height, Depth—and the Measurements That Matter)

How to choose the right size TV unit

For sizing, you need three measurements:

1. TV width (not just screen size)

2. Available wall width (including skirting boards, radiators, and door swings)

3. Depth you can spare without blocking walkways

Many TVs are 16:9. If yours is 16:9, you can estimate TV width from the diagonal size. Below are approximate screen widths for common sizes (rounded), so you can sanity-check your space.

How to use this table:

• The “TV width” column is the physical screen width for typical 16:9 sets.

• The “TV unit starting point” gives you a range that usually looks balanced and leaves space for a soundbar, décor, or just not feeling cramped. It’s guidance—not a rule. If your room is narrow, go slimmer and prioritise depth and walkways.

TV unit width: should the unit be wider than the TV?

In most rooms, yes—because it looks more stable and gives you practical surface space. A unit that’s narrower than the TV can look top-heavy and leaves no room for anything else. If you must go narrower due to a tight alcove, keep styling minimal and consider wall-mounting the TV to reduce visual weight.

TV unit height: comfort matters more than “standard”

Instead of chasing a universal number, use a simple test:

• Sit where you normally watch TV.

• Look straight ahead.

• You want the screen to feel comfortable without lifting your chin.

In many UK living rooms, this leads people to a lower unit than they first expect—especially with larger TVs. If you’re wall-mounting the TV, you can keep the unit low and use it mainly for storage and cable control.

Depth: the measurement people forget

Depth is where real-life problems show up:

• A unit can fit the wall but stick out too far into the room.

• Doors can hit the sofa or a radiator.

• Devices can overhang the shelf.

Before buying, measure:

• the distance from the wall to the front edge of your sofa (or the main walkway),

• how far you can comfortably step around the unit,

• whether the unit will block access to sockets.

Tip from Parrot Uncle UK: In many UK homes, sockets are placed low and slightly off-centre. A deeper unit can make plugs awkward. If you know you’ll be plugging things in often (console, vacuum, seasonal lights), leave enough space to reach behind or choose a unit with accessible cable cut-outs.

Cable management: plan it before you buy

Storage isn’t just shelves. It’s also where the cables go.

Look for:

• rear cable openings so leads don’t crush against the back panel,

• a layout that lets you run power in one “lane” and signal cables in another (less tangling),

• enough internal space for a power strip without forcing doors shut.

If you’re wall-mounting the TV, decide early where cables will drop:

• straight down behind the TV into the unit,

• or to one side if your sockets aren’t centred.

Open shelves vs doors (size edition)

If you’re storing devices behind doors, check two things:

• remote control behaviour: many remotes rely on infrared; solid doors can block signals.

• ventilation: consoles and set-top boxes need airflow. If a cupboard is tight and runs warm, devices can throttle performance or shut down.

If you need doors for the look, a practical approach is:

• keep devices in an open shelf or a cupboard designed with airflow,

• use cupboards/drawers for accessories and clutter.

3) Common Mistakes, Storage Tips, and Electric Fireplace TV Units

Common TV unit buying mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Mistake 1: Buying for the TV size only
People measure the screen and forget the extras: soundbar, consoles, a wider plug, skirting boards, and how the doors open. Fix: measure the whole set-up, not just the telly.

Mistake 2: Ignoring airflow for consoles and routers
A closed cupboard packed with devices can run hot. Fix: give devices space, avoid stacking, and don’t block vents. If you want closed storage, keep it for non-electronics.

Mistake 3: Choosing a unit that blocks daily life
If the unit makes the walkway tight, you’ll resent it. Fix: prioritise depth and clearance in smaller rooms—even if that means going a bit wider but shallower.

Mistake 4: Over-styling the top
A TV unit top needs to remain useful. If the surface is covered in frames and candles, there’s nowhere to put a controller, a cup of tea, or the TV remote. Fix: keep a clear “landing strip”.

Mistake 5: Mixing controls and cables with no plan
People buy the unit, then realise there’s nowhere for the power strip, and cables end up visible. Fix: plan where power lives, where signal cables route, and how you’ll access sockets.

How to organise storage inside a TV unit

A simple storage system keeps the unit tidy without constant effort.

Use zones:

• Top surface: soundbar (if used), a small tray for remotes

• Open shelf: devices you use daily (set-top box, console, media player)

• Drawers: controllers, batteries, spare HDMI leads, manuals

• Cupboards: board games, kids’ items, bulkier storage boxes

One small trick that works well: keep a labelled pouch or small box for “the annoying bits” (spare batteries, tiny adapters, SIM tools, cable ties). It stops that stuff migrating all over the house.

Electric fireplace TV units: are they a good idea?

They can be, but they’re not a “buy blind” category.

An electric fireplace TV unit combines three things:

1. a TV platform,

2. storage,

3. an electric heater and flame effect.

Why people like them in the UK

• They add a focal point without needing a chimney.

• Many models can run the flame effect with or without heat (model dependent).

• They can make a room feel cosier, especially in colder months.

What to check before buying

• Heat and clearance: heat rises. You don’t want warm air blasting directly into your TV or devices. Always follow the unit’s instructions on minimum clearances and maximum TV size (these vary by model).

• Vent location: don’t block the heater vents with décor or devices.

• Power use: electric fires draw meaningful power on heat mode. Use a proper socket and follow the manufacturer’s guidance on extensions and load.

• Storage reality: many fireplace units give you less storage than a plain media unit. Make sure it still holds your actual kit.

Parrot Uncle UK practical view: if your main goal is storage and a clean set-up, a standard TV unit usually wins. If you want ambience and occasional heat as part of the room’s feel, a fireplace TV unit can be a good fit—provided you plan where devices will go and keep heat safely managed.

FAQ

1) How do I choose the right TV unit size for my TV?
Measure the TV’s width and aim for a unit that’s wider, so it looks balanced and gives you space for a soundbar or accessories. Then confirm depth and door clearance so the unit doesn’t block walkways or sockets.

2) Is open storage better than cupboards?
Open shelves are easier for devices and remotes, and they usually help with airflow. Cupboards look tidier but can block infrared remotes and trap heat. Many homes do best with a mix: open shelf for devices, closed storage for clutter.

3) Should I wall-mount the TV or sit it on the unit?
Wall-mounting can free up top space and let you choose a lower unit. Sitting the TV on the unit is simpler and more flexible. The right choice depends on your wall type, your room layout, and whether you want easier cable hiding.

4) How do I stop cables looking messy?
Choose a unit with rear cable openings, keep a power strip inside (with airflow), and route cables in a planned path. Avoid piling extra cables behind the unit where you can’t reach them—future you will hate that.

5) Are electric fireplace TV units safe for TVs and consoles?
They can be safe when used correctly, but you must follow the unit’s clearance and ventilation guidance. Keep devices away from heat output paths, don’t block vents, and use the correct power set-up as instructed by the manufacturer.