How to Choose the Right Wooden TV Unit for Your Living Room

A wooden TV unit needs to do more than fill the space beneath your television. It needs to sit comfortably within the proportions of the room, provide the right balance of concealed and open storage, and accommodate the technology you use every day.

The timber, dimensions and style you choose will also influence how the entire living space feels. A well-designed wooden TV unit can soften the visual presence of the television, bring warmth into the room and keep cables, media equipment and everyday items neatly organised.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the key decisions to consider when choosing a timber TV unit, from finding the right size and comparing floating and freestanding designs to planning storage, ventilation and internal finishes. 

Custom TV unit

What size should your wooden TV unit be?

The right size for a wooden TV unit depends on the width of your television, the available wall space and how much storage you need. Start by measuring the television itself rather than relying on its advertised screen size, which is measured diagonally and does not tell you its overall width.

In most rooms, a TV unit looks more balanced when it is wider than the television. This creates space on either side of the screen and helps the cabinet visually anchor the entertainment area. A unit that is the same width as the television, or narrower, can make the screen appear top-heavy. The ideal amount of space on either side will depend on the proportions of the wall and the other furniture in the room.

Height and depth are equally important. If the television will sit on the cabinet, allow for its stand and your preferred viewing height. If it will be wall-mounted, consider the relationship between the screen and the unit beneath it. The cabinet also needs enough internal depth for media equipment, plugs and cable connections.

Before finalising the dimensions, measure:

• The full width of your television

• The usable width and height of the wall

• The location of power points and cable outlets

• Any soundbar, speakers or media equipment

• Nearby doors, windows, fireplaces and walkways

• The amount of storage you would like

Marking the proposed width and height on the wall with painter’s tape can help you see how the finished TV cabinet will look in the room. You can also lay sheets of newspaper or cardboard on the floor to represent its full footprint. Walk around the space as you normally would to check whether the proposed depth affects nearby pathways or how comfortably you can move through the room.

 

Should you choose a floating or freestanding TV unit?

Neither option is inherently better. The right choice depends on your wall construction, the proportions of the room and whether you want the TV cabinet to feel visually light or more grounded.

When to choose a floating TV cabinet

A floating TV cabinet is mounted to the wall, leaving the floor visible beneath it. This can make the room feel more spacious and creates a clean, streamlined appearance. The clear floor also makes it easier to clean underneath the cabinet.

Most existing plaster walls have timber studs that can provide sufficient support for a floating cabinet. The unit is securely fixed through the plaster and into these structural supports, with the appropriate installation depending on the cabinet and wall construction.

If you are building or renovating, you have the added opportunity to install noggins in the exact cabinet position and plan the placement of power points and cable outlets in advance. However, this is not usually essential for installing a floating TV cabinet in an existing home.

A floating design is a good choice when you:

• Prefer a clean, contemporary appearance

• Want to keep the floor visible

• Have a plaster wall with accessible timber studs or other suitable supports

• Are comfortable with the cabinet remaining in a fixed position

When to choose a freestanding TV unit

A freestanding timber TV unit has a more substantial presence and can help anchor a television on a large wall. It is less dependent on the construction of the wall and offers greater flexibility if you want to reposition the furniture in the future.

This style can work particularly well in larger living rooms or homes where the TV unit is intended to feel like a distinct piece of furniture. It may also be the more practical option when the existing wall is unsuitable for mounting a heavy cabinet.

Whichever style you choose, consider how the unit will relate to the television, nearby furniture, power points and the way people move through the room.

Each Bombora TV unit can be customised in size, timber, storage configuration and internal finish to suit your home.

Explore our wooden TV unit range > 

 

Plan your TV cabinet storage

Before deciding on a configuration, think about what will live inside your TV cabinet and which items you want to keep visible. A beautiful layout may not be practical if there is nowhere for remotes, gaming equipment, cables or the objects that naturally gather in a living room.

Cupboards

Cupboards provide flexible storage for larger items and anything you would prefer to keep out of sight. Internal shelving can divide the space, while removable baskets make it easy to group together games, toys or craft supplies and carry them to wherever they are being used.

Drawers

Drawers work well for smaller items that are used regularly, such as remote controls, charging cables, controllers and instruction manuals. Because the entire contents can be accessed from above, drawers also prevent smaller objects from disappearing at the back of a deep cupboard.

Open shelves

Open shelving provides easy access to media equipment and creates space for books, plants, photos or other pieces you would like to display. Baskets can also be placed within the open sections, creating simple storage that can be lifted out and returned as needed. Open shelving can make a wooden TV cabinet feel lighter and less enclosed, although anything stored openly may require more regular dusting.

Combined storage

Your timber entertainment unit can be made with all cupboards, all drawers or all open shelving. You can also combine the three, placing each type of storage where it will be most useful. Once you have decided what needs to be stored, the number, width and position of each section can be planned around those requirements.

Measure what you plan to store

Measure any larger items you already know will be stored in the cabinet, such as books, board games, toys or baskets. Consider whether books will stand upright, games will be stacked and baskets need enough clearance to be lifted in and out easily.

Share these measurements with us as the required internal width, height and depth. As part of our custom design service, we can plan the cabinet dimensions, shelves, drawers and cupboard openings around the items you need to store.

Plan for media equipment, cables and ventilation

Before finalising the internal layout of your TV cabinet, make a list of every piece of equipment it needs to accommodate. This may include gaming consoles, streaming devices, amplifiers, modems, speakers, or a soundbar. Measure the full width, height and depth of each item, allowing additional space behind it for plugs, cables and airflow.

Plan cable access and power points

Discreet cable ports and internal routing holes can keep cords organised and largely out of sight. Their position should relate to both your equipment and the location of power points, television connections and data outlets in the room.

If you are building or renovating, speak with your electrician about the planned TV cabinet before the electrical work is completed. In an existing home, the configuration can be designed around the outlets already available.

Allow equipment to ventilate

Gaming consoles, amplifiers and other media equipment can generate heat. Equipment should not be tightly enclosed without airflow, so consider open shelving, ventilation openings or slatted timber doors where needed. We can add ventilation openings to the back of freestanding cabinets.

Check how your remotes work

Traditional infrared remotes require a clear path between the remote and the device. They will not operate through a solid timber door, but slatted doors can allow the signal to pass through the gaps while keeping equipment concealed. Bluetooth and radio-frequency remotes may work through closed doors, depending on the device.

Allow for changes over time

Technology is likely to change during the life of a well-made timber TV unit. Adjustable internal shelving provides flexibility if equipment is replaced or rearranged, while a little additional space around current devices can make future changes easier.

 

Which timber should you choose for a TV unit?

Each timber species has its own colour, grain pattern and level of natural feature, giving the finished TV unit a distinct character. Because it is often one of the largest pieces of furniture in a living room, consider how its tone will relate to the flooring, cabinetry and furniture already within the space.

Bombora’s wooden TV units are available in seven hardwood timber options: Australian Chestnut, American Oak, Blackbutt, Messmate, Recycled Messmate, Tasmanian Blackwood and American Black Walnut.

View our range of hardwood timber options here > 

Consider the overall tone

For a lighter appearance, consider the creamy and pale brown tones found in American Oak, Australian Chestnut and Blackbutt. Messmate also sits within a lighter to medium tonal range but generally displays more gum veins and natural variation.

Tasmanian Blackwood and American Black Walnut bring deeper, richer tones into a room. They can create a stronger contrast against pale walls and floors or complement an interior that already includes warm, earthy materials.

Decide how much natural feature you want

If you prefer a cleaner and more consistent appearance, select-grade timbers such as Blackbutt or Australian Chestnut may suit your space. Recycled Messmate offers a more character-rich finish, with tonal variation and markings such as old nail or bolt holes that speak to the timber’s previous life.

Compare samples in your own space

Timber does not need to match every other wooden surface exactly. Looking for compatible undertones can create a cohesive result while still allowing each piece to have its own character.

Photographs and screens can also change how timber colours appear. Ordering timber samples allows you to compare the options alongside your flooring, furniture and paint colours in the natural and artificial light of your home. Remember that every board is unique, so a sample is a guide to the timber’s general tone and grain rather than an exact representation of the finished piece.

 

Should you choose timber or white melamine internals?

The internal finish affects how your TV cabinet looks when the doors and drawers are opened, but it does not change its external appearance. Bombora offers a choice of white melamine or timber internals, allowing you to balance appearance, care and budget.

White melamine internals

White melamine is the more budget-friendly option and provides a surface that is easy to wipe down. We use moisture-resistant, E0-rated melamine with very low formaldehyde emissions. This option can also make it easier to see items stored inside deeper cupboards and drawers.

Timber internals

Timber internals continue the warmth and natural character of the external timber through the inside of the cabinet. The internal structure is crafted from solid timber, with matching timber veneer used for drawer bases and back panels where required. Timber internals are durable and repairable, making them a beautiful choice when you value a cohesive timber finish inside and out.

Both options are made by our furniture-making team in the Torquay workshop and paired with quality Blum hardware. You can compare our internal finish options in more detail before deciding.

Choose a TV cabinet made for long-term use

A wooden TV cabinet may look beautiful when it is new, but the materials, construction and finish will determine how well it responds to everyday use over time. When comparing options, ask which parts are made from solid timber and which are made from timber veneer or printed board.

Solid timber has the advantage of being repairable. Scratches, marks and surface wear can often be sanded and refinished, allowing the furniture to be renewed rather than replaced. A thin veneer has far less material available for resurfacing, while damage to the engineered board beneath it can be difficult to repair.

The finish is equally important. Bombora TV units are protected with Osmo Polyx Oil, a hard-wearing finish that enhances the natural timber while allowing it to be maintained and refreshed over time. Quality drawer runners and hinges also matter because these are the moving parts that experience regular use.

Longevity is also about function. Adjustable shelving, well-planned cable access and a storage configuration suited to your household can help the cabinet remain useful as technology and family needs change.

Choosing durable materials, maintainable finishes and repairable construction may cost more initially, but it gives your timber TV unit the potential to remain part of your home for decades.

 

When is a custom TV unit worth it?

An off-the-shelf TV cabinet can be a practical choice when its dimensions, storage and materials already suit your room. It is generally available sooner and may have a lower initial price. The compromise is that your space and belongings need to fit the furniture as it has already been designed.

The value of a custom TV unit is that the furniture can be designed around your home and the way you will use it. Rather than accepting a cabinet that is slightly too small, too deep or missing the storage you need, you can determine the proportions, materials and internal layout from the beginning.

Custom design is particularly valuable when:

• Your television or wall requires a specific cabinet width

• The room has unusual dimensions or limited floor space

• You need cupboards, drawers and shelves in a particular combination

• Baskets, books, toys or equipment require specific internal dimensions

• You want cables, ventilation and remote access incorporated into the design

• You would like the timber to complement existing flooring or furniture
  

• You want a freestanding unit set to a certain height.

Choosing custom does not mean you need to design an entirely new piece from scratch. At Bombora, you can begin with one of our existing wooden TV unit designs and change the size, timber, internal finish or configuration. Alternatively, we can combine elements from different designs or create something completely bespoke.

The value of choosing custom is not only that the furniture fits your room. It also allows you to avoid the everyday compromises that can make an off-the-shelf piece feel temporary. When the proportions, storage, timber and details are right, the result is a TV unit you genuinely love and want to keep as part of your home.

A custom piece generally requires a greater investment and a longer lead time than mass-produced furniture. However, a well-designed and made solid timber TV unit can be repaired, refinished and adapted as your needs change. When it remains useful and is loved for decades, rather than being replaced whenever it no longer suits, it can offer better value over its lifetime while also reducing furniture waste.

 

Find the right wooden TV unit for your home

Choosing a TV unit is about more than finding a design you like. Taking the time to consider the proportions of the room, what you need to store, how your technology will function and which timber feels at home in the space will help you choose a piece that works beautifully in everyday life.

Explore our range of handcrafted wooden TV units, with floating and freestanding designs available in seven timber options. Each design can be customised in size, storage configuration and internal finish.

If you have questions, would like a quote or need help refining the design, contact our team. We can work with you to create a timber TV unit that fits your home, holds what you need and is made to be loved for many years.