The TV unit is often chosen last in a living room setup — after the sofa, the coffee table and the rug — which means it's sometimes selected quickly without adequate consideration. Given that it's one of the most-looked-at pieces of furniture in the room (positioned directly in the sightline whenever the TV is off), it's worth taking seriously.

Width relative to the TV is the key visual proportion. A TV unit that's significantly narrower than the TV it supports looks precarious; one that extends well beyond the TV edges looks balanced and intentional. A rough guide: the TV unit should be at least as wide as the TV, and ideally 20-30cm wider on each side.

Height affects viewing angle. Most Australian homes mount TVs on the wall at eye level from the sofa, in which case the TV unit's height doesn't directly affect the screen position. For TVs sitting on the unit itself, the centre of the screen should be at seated eye level — for a sofa with a 45cm seat height, that puts the screen centre at approximately 100-110cm, meaning the TV unit height plus half the TV height should reach around 100cm.

Storage configuration in a TV unit manages the ecosystem of devices — streaming boxes, game consoles, soundbars, disc players — and the cables between them. Cable management holes through the back panel allow cables to be routed neatly. Enclosed cupboard storage hides devices and remotes when not in use. Open shelving suits those who prefer accessible device placement.

Timber and timber-look finishes suit most Australian living room aesthetics. White gloss units reflect light and suit smaller, brighter rooms. Dark charcoal and black finishes make a TV setup recede visually — useful in rooms where you want the art or view to be the visual focus rather than the screen.

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