
There’s a myth floating around that a TV unit has to be boring. Just a box for the box, basically. Not true at all!
The television is usually the biggest thing in the room, so the stand underneath it matters more than people think. A good one hides the cord chaos and still looks like actual furniture.
We went through a huge pile of layout photos to put this list together. Only the setups that were realistic for a everyday living room made the cut.
Nothing that needed a contractor on speed dial!
You’ll find budget builds next to fancier ones, plus a few that use pieces from stores you already shop at. Some need a weekend, others need an afternoon and a screwdriver.
Under each idea there’s a little breakdown of what makes it work. Consider this your shortcut past the hundreds of pins that don’t actually translate to real homes.
Ready to give that wall a glow up? Let’s get into it!
TV UNIT IDEAS
Floating Wood TV Console
We’re starting off strong with a floating wood console. It skips legs entirely and mounts right to the wall, so the floor underneath stays clear.
That gap of open space under it really does trick the eye. I believe him now, haha!
- Wall mounted for real
- Floor stays totally open
- Hides a robot vacuum underneath
Black Marble TV Unit
Black marble brings a hotel lobby kind of drama to the living room. The veining looks different on every slab, so no two units ever match exactly.
I almost skipped this one thinking it would look cold, but the gold hardware fixes that fast. It’s a statement piece more than a background piece, honestly. How cute is that combo?
- Drama on a Tuesday
- Faux marble contact paper works too
- Pairs well with brass pulls
Rattan Cabinet Media Console
Rattan cabinets bring texture without adding visual clutter. The woven doors let a little air through, which sounds silly but genuinely helps a media console breathe.
I didn’t believe that until my own cabinet stopped smelling like warm electronics, lol! Small win, but a real one.
- Texture without the noise
- Thrift store frames get a rattan swap
- Warms up an all white room
Built In Wall Unit
A built in wall unit is the dream for anyone tired of gaps and dust bunnies. Everything gets tucked into custom shelving, floor to ceiling.
It costs more up front than a store bought stand, no question. Are you guys seeing how much storage this thing swallows though? Worth it in my book!
- The forever upgrade
- Swallows every game console you own
- Adds real resale value
Industrial Pipe TV Stand
Industrial pipe stands look like they wandered out of a converted warehouse loft. Black metal pipe fittings hold up reclaimed wood shelving.
The whole thing feels sturdy in a way particleboard never does.
I keep asking her to build me one too!
- Warehouse loft energy
- Hardware store pipe fittings
- Holds heavier gear than it looks
Boho Macrame TV Wall
Macrame around a TV sounds odd until you see it done well. The knotted panels frame the screen like art.
They soften the flat black rectangle just enough. She changed her mind after seeing it in person, lol!
- Boho but make it work
- Craft aisle cord does the job
- Softens a stark black screen
Concrete Slab Media Unit
Concrete slab units are for the minimalists who want their furniture to look a little tough. The raw texture pairs surprisingly well with warm lighting instead of clashing with it.
I was skeptical until I saw one in a friend’s loft. This one won’t work for every home, but it looks incredible there. Who wouldn’t want that in a loft space?
Scandinavian Minimalist TV Console
Scandinavian consoles keep everything low, light and calm. Pale wood, clean lines, no extra hardware fighting for attention.
I own one and forget it’s even in the room most days. That’s honestly the whole appeal!
- Calm and low profile
- Light oak keeps it airy
- No hardware to fuss over
Hidden TV Behind Sliding Panels
Sliding panels that hide the TV completely are for the folks who want their living room to look like a screen never lived there. Slide them shut and suddenly it’s just a wall of wood or fabric.
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Guests genuinely ask where the television went, haha! Talk about talent!
- Now you see it
- Slides shut in two seconds
- Reads as art when closed
Gallery Wall Around TV
A gallery wall around the TV tricks the eye into treating the screen as just another frame. Mix in prints, mirrors and a few empty frames for texture.
This is the one that finally justifies that stack of prints sitting in my closet. Worth it, haha!
- The screen hides in plain sight
- Uses frames already in the closet
- Mismatched sizes look intentional
Two Tone Wood TV Unit
Two tone wood units pair a dark base with a lighter top, or the other way around. The contrast keeps a plain rectangle from looking flat and boring.
I tried the reverse combo in my own place last spring. It genuinely changed how the whole wall reads.
Who doesn’t love a two minute furniture facelift?
- Contrast does the heavy lifting
- Stain the top and base different shades
- Reads custom for cheap
Fluted Panel Media Console
Fluted panels turn a flat front into something with real shadow and depth. The grooves catch light differently depending on the time of day.
Not bad for basically no money spent, lol!
- Boutique look, weekend price
- Fluted molding from the craft aisle
- Catches light at every angle
Corner TV Cabinet Setup
Corner setups solve the awkward dead space nobody ever knows what to do with. A cabinet cut to fit the angle uses every inch instead of wasting it.
Got an oddly shaped living room? Same! This fixes it without a full remodel.
- The corner finally earns its keep
- Custom angle cut cabinet
- No wasted dead space
Fireplace And TV Combo Wall
Combining the fireplace and the TV on one wall keeps both focal points from competing. Mount the screen above the mantel and let the whole wall act as one big feature.
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Is it really a cozy living room without a fireplace wall? Not in my book!
This setup gets requested constantly by anyone doing a renovation.
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- Two focal points, one wall
- Mount above the mantel
- Reads as one cohesive feature
Besta Unit With Glass Doors
Besta units with glass doors let you see just enough of what’s stored inside without a full reveal. It looks tidier than open shelving but still shows off the pretty things.
I swapped my standard doors for a tinted glass upgrade last month. The whole cabinet suddenly looked pricier.
If you were hunting for besta these, this one is a keeper! If you were hunting for besta these, this one is a keeper!
- A peek, not a full reveal
- Tinted glass door upgrade
- Hides cords but shows decor
Besta TV Bench With Drawers
A Besta bench with drawers doubles as seating and storage, which is clutch in a smaller living room. Extra blankets and remotes disappear into the drawers instead of piling on the coffee table.
My coffee table used to be a disaster zone before this, lol! Now my guests actually have somewhere to sit.
- Doubles as extra seating
- Drawers swallow the remote pile
Besta Wall Mounted Cabinets
Wall mounted Besta cabinets keep the floor completely clear, which makes vacuuming so much easier. No legs, no baseboards to dodge, just clean lines floating above the console.
I’m stealing that trick for mine next! How smart is that?
- Floating storage, zero floor clutter
- Mounts higher for a taller feel
- Easier floor cleaning underneath
Besta Shelving And TV Combo
Combining Besta shelving with the TV unit stretches storage across the whole wall instead of stopping at the console. Open cubes on the sides balance out the closed cabinet in the middle nicely.
I added mine last year when my book collection got out of control. Now everything actually has a home!
- Storage that stretches wall to wall
- Open cubes break up the closed doors
- Great for a growing book collection
Besta Unit Painted Two Colors
Last but definitely not least, we have a Besta unit painted two colors. A fresh coat on just the doors turns a plain flat pack into something that looks custom made.
I did this with a sample pot of paint over one weekend. My cabinet went from boring to compliment magnet for basically nothing.
Budget hero of the whole list, no contest!
- The flat pack glow up
- Sample pot of paint does it
- Looks custom for basically nothing
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Dana
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