Entertainment Unit Ideas: Styling & Selection

Your entertainment unit is more than a base for your television—it’s a key part of your living room’s layout, style and functionality. The best entertainment unit ideas balance design with practicality, offering ample storage, smart cable management and visual harmony with the rest of your furnishings.

Whether you're building a minimalist media wall or anchoring a relaxed family room, here's how to choose the right entertainment unit for your space—and style it beautifully for everyday living.

1. Assess Your Space and Layout

Start by measuring your available wall space and considering the layout of your living room. Think about:

• Viewing distance: The unit should allow your screen to sit at eye level when seated.

• Clearance: Ensure there's enough space around the unit for air circulation, access to plugs, and foot traffic flow.

• Room proportions: A unit that's too large will overwhelm a small space, while one too small can feel lost in a large room.

If you have a compact living area, opt for a streamlined unit or wall-mounted option. In larger spaces, a longer or deeper unit helps anchor the TV visually and can double as a display area.

Boori entertainment units offer flexible drawer configurations, allowing you to choose how many drawers and where you’d like to put them.

2. Choose a Style That Complements Your Furniture

Your entertainment unit should coordinate with the rest of your living room furniture to maintain a cohesive look. Consider the style and finish of your sofa, coffee table and side tables when selecting a TV unit. The feet of Boori entertainment units can be assembled in both vertical and horizontal configurations, allowing for multiple styles with one piece.

Popular style directions include:

• Modern minimalism: Clean lines, light wood, low profiles

• Mid-century inspired: Tapered legs, walnut or beech wood, subtle detailing

• Scandi-coastal: White finishes, natural timbers, airy and soft

• Classic/contemporary fusion: Simple silhouettes with muted, timeless tones

Boori Tip: Match timber tones across furniture pieces, or introduce subtle contrast for visual interest—such as pairing a timber unit with a neutral fabric sofa. 

3. Consider Functionality and Storage

A great entertainment unit should provide a mix of open and closed storage:

• Open shelving: For consoles, routers and media players that require remote access

• Closed compartments: Ideal for DVDs, remotes, games, and general clutter

• Cable management: Look for built-in holes or removable back panels to feed cables through without tangling

If you need additional storage, choose a unit with drawers or cabinets. These not only hide electronics but can also store board games, extra throws or books.

4. Size It to Your Screen

Your entertainment unit should be slightly wider than your TV—ideally by at least 15-30cm on either side—to create visual balance and avoid a top-heavy look.

For example:

• For a 55-inch TV, aim for a unit around 140–160cm wide

• For a 65-inch TV or larger, consider a unit 180–200cm wide or more

Make sure the height works with your seating too. Most people prefer the centre of the screen to be about 90–110cm from the floor when seated comfortably.

5. Style the Top Like a Pro

Once your unit is in place, style the top to bring the whole setup together.

Try the following:

• Balance symmetry: Use matching lamps or vases on either side of the TV.

• Layer heights: Add stacked books, candles or small sculptures to introduce vertical interest.

• Incorporate greenery: A small plant or trailing vine softens hard edges and brings life to the space.

• Keep clutter minimal: Group items on a decorative tray for a clean, intentional look.

Don’t overcrowd. Leave space around the screen so it remains the focal point.

6. Integrate with the Room Design

Use your entertainment unit as a springboard for decorating the surrounding wall.

• Add floating shelves above or beside the unit for additional display space.

• Hang framed artwork or a gallery wall above to create a visual feature.

• Place a floor lamp or tall plant at one end of the unit to soften the lines and fill vertical space.

If the room is open-plan, use the entertainment unit to subtly define the living zone by aligning it with a rug or adjacent seating area.

Final Thoughts

A well-chosen entertainment unit brings function and style to your living room. By thinking through your space, aesthetic and storage needs, you can select a piece that not only supports your tech but enhances the room's overall design.

At Boori, our living room furniture is crafted with a focus on natural materials, durability and timeless style, making it easy to integrate into a range of interiors. Whether you're building a calm, minimalist haven or a warm family hub, the right entertainment unit grounds your space and ties it all together.