When it comes to home improvements, few upgrades change the feel of a living room quite like a properly thought-out media wall.
A TV wall that looks built-in. An electric fire flickering underneath. Shelves for the good books (and hiding the dodgy DVD collections). It’s not just practical — it’s proper home comfort.
If you’re thinking about designing your own media wall this year, here’s what you need to know to get it right — from first ideas to finishing touches.
Start with Your Life, Not Just the Pinterest Board
Yes, it’s tempting to save a million images of perfect media walls online. But before you pick out the colour of the panelling, think about how you actually live.
- Are you a movie marathon household?
- Do you need space for a games console army?
- Do you want shelving mainly for books, decor, or hiding endless cables?
- Is this the main family room, or a second living space?
The best media walls are tailored to the people living with them, not just copied from a catalogue.
TV First, Then Everything Else
It sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many people design a media wall, then realise the TV looks lost or overpowering.
- Measure your TV properly — screen size & width.
- Work out your ideal viewing height — seated eye level is key.
- Think about the distance between your sofa & the screen (general rule: about 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal size of the TV).
If you’re planning on upgrading your TV soon, allow a bit of extra room for a bigger model. Futureproofing is smarter than rebuilding everything later.
Fire or No Fire?
One of the most common additions to a media wall is a built-in electric fire. It adds a sense of cosiness, breaks up the vertical space, and stops the wall feeling too TV-dominated.
Things to consider:
- Slimline fires are great for narrow spaces.
- Wider fires work brilliantly under 65”+ TVs.
- Pick a fire with adjustable flame settings so you can change the mood without melting the room in August.
And don’t forget about running cables neatly behind the scenes — power, HDMI, and speaker wires all need proper planning.
Storage: Show or Hide?
This is the real game-changer.
- Open shelving looks amazing but needs styling (and regular dusting).
- Closed cupboards are brilliant for hiding Wi-Fi routers, consoles, and random clutter.
- Floating units can make the whole setup feel lighter, perfect for modern spaces.
- Integrated sound bars or speakers can be built in too if you care about sound as much as picture.
A good mix of open & closed storage usually works best — personality at the top, practicality at the bottom.
Materials and Finishes: Make It Personal
2025 is the year of natural textures and darker, moodier colours. White gloss is out. Character is in.
Think about:
- Timber slats for a Scandi feel.
- Microcement for an urban, minimal look.
- Matt paint for softness and depth.
- Subtle lighting — LED strips behind shelving or fires to create warmth.
The more natural & tactile your materials feel, the more “lived-in” the media wall will feel, even if it’s brand new.
Common Pitfalls to Dodge
- Planning around the wrong TV size (future-proof a bit!).
- Going too symmetrical — a little asymmetry actually feels more relaxed and modern.
- Overcrowding the shelves — blank space is your friend.
- Using too many materials — pick two or three max and stick to them.
Rough Cost Guide
Expect professional media walls (including TV recess, electric fire, shelving, and full finish) to start around £3,000–£5,500, depending on complexity and materials. DIY versions can be cheaper, but it’s easy to underestimate the work involved.
Get multiple quotes, ask for references, and double-check what’s included (electrics, plastering, decorating).
Spring: The Clever Season for It
The weather’s milder, meaning the work’s easier and less disruptive. Installers are a bit quieter than in the pre-winter rush. And if you plan it now, you’ll enjoy it all summer long for lazy film nights without the “heating on full blast” panic.
Come Christmas, you’ll have the best seat in the house for festive films, feet up by the fire, and no building dust in sight.
Designing a media wall isn’t just about making the room look good — it’s about making it feel good. It’s about creating a space that works for how you actually live, not just how you want it to look for visitors.
In 2025, the best homes aren’t the ones that feel like showrooms. They’re the ones that feel properly lived-in, properly loved — with spaces like media walls built for real life
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