Bespoke Media Units: Designing Around the Room
Updated: Oct 16
A media unit often has to do considerably more than accommodate a television. It might provide storage for books and equipment, somewhere to display artwork and personal objects, or simply help organise a room where several different activities take place.
Getting the design right involves thinking about how the furniture will be used, but also how it relates to the architecture around it. The proportions of the room, the position of the television and the amount of storage required can all influence the finished piece.
At Williams Ridout, we've designed and made bespoke media units ranging from relatively simple fitted cabinets to substantial walls of joinery incorporating shelving, concealed storage and integrated lighting. Each project presents different considerations, and there's rarely a standard arrangement that works for every home.
Starting with the Room
Before deciding how a media unit should look, it's worth considering where it will sit and how the room is used.
In some homes, the television is the main focus of the space. In others, it's something the client would prefer to be less prominent, particularly when the room is also used for entertaining or relaxing.
The position of seating, available wall space and existing architectural features can all affect the design. A large television placed too high can be uncomfortable to watch, while cabinetry that's too deep or visually heavy can overwhelm a relatively modest room.
We generally begin by looking at the proportions of the wall and how the furniture will relate to the surrounding space. Sometimes a full-height installation works well. On other occasions, a lower cabinet with open shelving above is a more appropriate solution.
The aim is to arrive at an arrangement that feels right for the room rather than simply filling every available space.
Combining Display and Concealed Storage
One of the most useful aspects of a bespoke media unit is the ability to combine different types of storage within a single piece of furniture.
Open shelving provides somewhere for books, artwork and objects that clients want to keep on display. Closed cabinets can accommodate the less attractive things that tend to accumulate in living rooms, from electronic equipment and cables to games, paperwork and everyday belongings.
The proportions of these areas make a considerable difference to the finished appearance. Too much open shelving can leave a unit looking busy, while a large expanse of closed cabinetry may feel unnecessarily heavy.
We often explore several arrangements during the design process, considering the size of individual compartments and the relationship between horizontal and vertical elements.
It's also worth thinking about what will actually go on the shelves. Designing around a collection of books or particular objects can produce a much more useful result than dividing the available space into a series of identical openings.
Making Technology Part of the Design
Televisions and associated equipment bring their own practical requirements, particularly when the intention is to keep everything looking relatively uncluttered.
Power supplies, data connections and cable routes are best considered at the beginning of the project. Retrofitting these details after cabinetry has been installed is rarely straightforward.
Ventilation is another consideration. Some electronic equipment generates a surprising amount of heat, so enclosed compartments may require ventilation openings or additional space around the equipment.
Access matters too. Components occasionally need replacing, connections change and televisions are upgraded. A well-designed media unit should allow for these possibilities without requiring substantial alterations to the furniture.
Where possible, we plan these details into the construction so that cables and equipment remain accessible without becoming an obvious part of the finished design.
Materials and the Character of the Furniture
The choice of materials can have a considerable influence on how a media unit sits within a room.
Painted cabinetry can work particularly well where the intention is for the furniture to sit quietly against the surrounding walls. Timber and natural veneers introduce more texture and variation, especially when used across larger panels or open shelving.
Combining materials can also be effective. A painted exterior might incorporate timber shelves or contrasting internal finishes, giving the furniture more depth without making the overall design unnecessarily complicated.
There are practical considerations alongside the appearance. Large doors and panels need to remain stable, shelves must be constructed to support their intended contents, and surfaces should be appropriate for regular use.
At Williams Ridout, we work with a wide range of timbers, veneers and painted finishes, selecting materials according to the design and the demands placed on the furniture.
Contemporary and Traditional Approaches
Media units don't necessarily need to follow the same design language as the television and equipment they accommodate.
In a contemporary room, simple cabinetry with carefully proportioned shelving and discreet doors can provide a straightforward solution. Handleless details and continuous surfaces can help reduce visual clutter, particularly across larger installations.
Traditional interiors often call for a different approach. Framed doors, cornices and more detailed joinery can help the furniture relate to existing architectural features.
There's also room to combine the two. We've worked on projects where traditional detailing sits alongside contemporary equipment, allowing the furniture to feel appropriate to the property without appearing dated.
Rather than following a particular style or trend, we prefer to consider what suits the architecture, the client's preferences and the practical requirements of the room.
Lighting and the Smaller Details
Integrated lighting can be a useful addition to a media unit, particularly where open shelves are used to display books, artwork or other objects.
The position of the lighting is important. Poorly placed LED strips can create distracting reflections or make the fittings themselves unnecessarily visible.
We also consider the colour temperature and how the lighting will interact with surrounding materials. Warm lighting can work well with natural timber, while different finishes may benefit from a more neutral approach.
As with the electrical equipment, wiring and access to components need to be planned before manufacture.
Other details deserve similar attention. Door hinges, drawer runners, shelf thicknesses and the way panels meet the surrounding walls all contribute to the finished result.
These decisions may not be particularly noticeable individually, but together they can make a considerable difference to how the furniture looks and feels.
From Workshop to Installation
A substantial media unit can involve several stages of design, manufacture and installation.
Accurate measurements are essential, particularly when cabinetry is intended to fit between walls or extend from floor to ceiling. Older properties frequently have uneven surfaces, which need to be accommodated without compromising the appearance of the furniture.
Larger installations may also need to be manufactured in sections, allowing them to be transported safely and assembled within the room.
At our North London workshop, we develop the construction details alongside the design, considering how each component will be made and how the completed furniture will be installed.
The final fitting is an important part of the process. Aligning doors, adjusting panels and making sure the cabinetry meets the surrounding architecture neatly all require care and attention.
Furniture That Works Beyond the Television
Although the television often determines the initial layout, a good media unit should contribute more to a room than simply providing somewhere to position a screen.
It might accommodate a collection of books, provide useful storage or introduce a particular material or detail that connects with the wider interior.
In many cases, the most successful designs are those where the technology feels secondary to the furniture itself.
Discuss a project
If you're considering a bespoke media unit or a larger scheme of fitted furniture, we'd be happy to discuss your ideas and explore an approach that suits your home.
