Published Date: Mar 25, 2025
Written by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Mansi Gokani, Senior Interior Designer at FCI London
Edited by: Zoona Sikander, Interior Design Writer & Social Media Content Creator
The decision between freestanding and wall mounted TV unit options is one I guide clients through almost weekly and it's never as straightforward as it might initially seem. When curating a space where comfort meets sophistication, every element matters—from the architectural bones to the smallest decorative accent.
Your choice of television display not only impacts the room's visual flow but also influences functionality, spatial perception and even how you experience your entertainment.
At FCI London, we believe that luxury lies in the thoughtful integration of form and function.
Let me walk you through the considerations that should inform your decision between these two distinct approaches to television placement, drawing from my years of experience creating bespoke interiors for London's most distinguished homes.
There's an undeniable elegance to a perfectly positioned wall mounted TV unit. The clean, floating aesthetic creates a sense of architectural intentionality that can elevate even the most straightforward of spaces.
When I first meet with clients who have contemporary sensibilities, I often find myself sketching initial concepts that incorporate this approach.
The primary benefit—and often the deciding factor for many of my clients—is the space conservation that wall mounting provides. In London, where square footage commands a premium unlike anywhere else, this consideration alone can be compelling.
A wall mounted white TV unit against a minimalist backdrop creates a sense of weightlessness that makes rooms appear more expansive than they truly are. This floating effect is particularly valuable in apartments and townhouses where maximising the perception of space can transform the entire living experience.
By eliminating the footprint that a traditional console would occupy, you gain valuable floor real estate that can be utilised for other elements or simply left open to create a sense of airiness.
The spatial dynamics of a room are significantly influenced by this choice. When floor space is freed from the constraints of furniture, the eye travels more freely throughout the room. This visual expansion is not merely an illusion—it fundamentally alters how one experiences the volume of the space.
The beauty of wall mounting extends beyond spatial concerns. A black wall mounted TV unit, for instance, can create a striking focal point against a light-colored wall, while simultaneously receding visually when the screen is turned off.
This chameleon-like quality allows for design versatility that fixed furniture pieces simply cannot match. For clients with contemporary art collections, I've found that a slim wall mounted TV unit creates minimal visual competition with their prized acquisitions.
The television becomes less dominant in the overall composition of the room, allowing other elements to take precedence when desired. The relationship between the television and the wall itself becomes a design opportunity.
Some of my clients opt for feature walls with textured plaster, specialty wallcoverings, or even stone veneers that turn the television area into an architectural moment. This integration transforms what could be a technological intrusion into a considered design element.
While ready-made solutions abound, the most compelling installations I've designed incorporate bespoke elements. A floating wall mounted TV unit can be crafted to your exact specifications, with hidden compartments for media components, integrated lighting and materials that complement your existing interior palette.
For those drawn to warmth and natural elements, a wall mounted TV unit oak variation brings organic texture to technology-focused areas. The contrast between the natural wood grain and the sleek black screen creates a visual dialogue that feels both modern and timeless—a balance that defines truly sophisticated interiors.
The level of customisation available today extends to integrated solutions that blur the boundaries between architecture and furniture. Recessed units, flush-mounted panels and seamless transitions can transform the television area into something that feels built into the very fabric of your home rather than added as an afterthought.
Beyond aesthetics, there are practical considerations that make wall mounting increasingly popular among my discerning clientele:
Despite the growing popularity of wall mounting, I find that many of my most discerning clients still gravitate toward freestanding solutions. There's something inherently substantial about a beautifully crafted console that anchors a space and conveys permanence.
A freestanding unit allows for an investment in exceptional materials and craftsmanship that becomes a focal point even when the television is not in use. At FCI London, we make sure to work with suppliers who source the finest materials—from rare wood veneers to Italian marbles and custom metal finishes—creating pieces that stand as functional sculpture.
For clients with classical sensibilities, these units often become heirloom pieces that transcend trends and technology cycles. While televisions will inevitably be replaced as technology advances, a superbly crafted console will remain relevant and cherished for generations.
The materiality of these pieces deserves special consideration. Unlike mass-produced furniture, our bespoke consoles incorporate hand-selected materials with provenance and character.
The subtle grain pattern of a specially sourced walnut slab or the unique veining of a marble top brings an irreplaceable authenticity to the space—qualities that simply cannot be replicated in more ephemeral design solutions.
One advantage that often goes unmentioned is the styling potential that the surface of a freestanding unit provides. This horizon line in your interior creates an opportunity for curated vignettes that reflect your personality and travels.
I encourage clients to consider how this surface might showcase meaningful objects—perhaps a pair of vintage candlesticks flanking a contemporary sculpture, or a carefully edited collection of art books.
These elements add layers of personal narrative to a space in a way that wall mounting simply cannot accommodate. The horizontal surface of a freestanding unit provides a canvas for seasonal refreshes as well.
Many of my clients enjoy changing their display objects to reflect seasonal shifts or to showcase new acquisitions. This evolving presentation keeps the room feeling dynamic and responsive to changing moods and seasons.
Beyond aesthetics, freestanding units offer practical advantages. They provide enclosed storage for components, gaming systems and physical media collections. For audiophiles, they can accommodate high-end sound systems that require proper positioning and ventilation.
For clients who rent rather than own their residences, freestanding solutions offer flexibility without architectural modifications. They can be repositioned as needs change or relocated entirely when you move to a new home.
The substantial nature of these pieces also provides acoustic benefits, absorbing and diffusing sound in ways that can enhance the overall listening experience. This consideration is particularly relevant for clients who use their entertainment spaces for music appreciation as well as visual media.
For properties with classical architectural elements or period details, a freestanding unit often harmonises more gracefully with the existing character of the space. The substantial presence of a beautifully proportioned console can echo architectural moldings and traditional detailing in ways that the more contemporary aesthetic of wall mounting might not.
In these contexts, consoles that reference historical furniture forms while accommodating contemporary technology work exceptionally well—perhaps incorporating elements of Regency, Georgian, or Art Deco design language reinterpreted for modern functionality.
The most interesting developments I've seen in recent years fall somewhere between these two approaches. A grey wall mounted TV unit with a coordinating slim console beneath creates a visually lighter footprint while still providing practical surface area and storage.
For those who appreciate this hybrid approach, a unit for an under wall mounted TV can be designed to appear to float just like the television itself. The resulting composition maintains the clean lines of a fully wall-mounted solution while offering the functional benefits of a traditional console.
These hybrid solutions often represent the best of both worlds—the visual lightness and contemporary aesthetic of wall mounting combined with the practical functionality and styling opportunities of a console.
The key to success lies in ensuring that the two elements relate coherently to one another through consistent materiality, proportions and detailing.
Many of my clients find that this compromise approach allows them to preserve valuable floor space while still maintaining some surface area for display and enclosed storage for media components. The reduced depth of these consoles—often 30-40% slimmer than traditional units—creates a sense of openness while still providing functionality.
While visual impact is crucial, my role as an interior designer is to guide clients through the practical implications of their choices as well.
Wall mounting requires structural consideration. Before recommending this approach, I always inquire about the wall construction and may request architectural plans to ensure proper support. Brick or concrete walls provide ideal mounting surfaces, while plasterboard walls typically require additional reinforcement.
For clients in historical buildings with protected walls or unusual construction, we often need to create custom solutions that provide the appearance of wall mounting without the structural intervention.
The logistics of installation should not be underestimated. Proper mounting involves:
Today's entertainment systems extend far beyond the television itself.
Game consoles, streaming devices, sound bars and speakers all require thoughtful integration. A white gloss wall mounted TV unit can incorporate hidden channels for cable management, ensuring the clean aesthetic isn't compromised by technological necessities.
For comprehensive home automation systems, we often collaborate with specialists to ensure all components work seamlessly together while maintaining the design integrity of the space.
The technology integration extends to considerations of heat management as well. Components generate heat that requires proper ventilation—a factor that must be addressed in either mounting approach but requires particular attention in enclosed wall-mounted solutions.
I always encourage clients to consider how their needs might evolve. Will the wall mounted TV unit accommodate a larger screen in the future? How might changing technology affect storage requirements?
These forward-looking questions ensure that the solution we design remains relevant for years to come. The lifecycle of television technology continues to accelerate, with new formats, connectivity standards and display technologies emerging regularly.
A well-designed solution anticipates these changes, allowing for updates without requiring complete renovation.
After considering all these factors, how do you determine which approach is right for your home? I suggest evaluating the following:
If you're still uncertain, I recommend visiting our FCI London showroom, where we display various configurations that can be experienced in person. There's no substitute for seeing how different solutions occupy space and interact with light throughout the day.
Regardless of which direction you choose, I find that the most successful installations are those that have been tailored specifically to the client and space.
A bespoke approach—whether for a floating wall mounted TV unit or a freestanding console—ensures that proportions, materials and functionality are precisely calibrated to your needs.
Our in-house craftspeople work closely with our design team to create solutions that honor both aesthetic vision and practical requirements. This integrated approach allows for a level of customisation that transcends off-the-shelf options.
The bespoke process allows us to address specific challenges that standardised solutions cannot accommodate—perhaps integrating specialised sound systems, concealing complex wiring requirements, or creating solutions for unusual room configurations.
These tailored approaches ensure that the final installation feels as though it was always meant to be part of the space rather than adapted to fit within it.
When planning a comprehensive interior scheme, the television placement should be considered early in the process. This decision influences lighting plans, seating arrangements and even wall finishes.
I typically address this question during the initial space planning phase, as it has significant implications for the room's overall composition.
For clients undertaking renovations, coordinating the television installation with other construction work ensures that any necessary wiring or structural reinforcement can be completed without disrupting finished surfaces.
The coordination with other trades becomes particularly important when considering:
The selection of finishes for your television unit—whether wall-mounted or freestanding—should be considered in relation to the overall color palette of the room. While black wall mounted TV units remain perennially popular for their ability to recede visually, there are compelling arguments for other approaches.
A grey wall mounted TV unit offers a softer presence that harmonises beautifully with neutral palettes, while still providing sufficient contrast to define the area visually. For contemporary spaces with cooler color schemes, this option creates a subtle focal point without the stark presence of black.
For those seeking brightness and reflectivity, a white gloss wall mounted TV unit introduces a luminous quality that can enhance smaller spaces or rooms with limited natural light. The reflective surface captures and amplifies available light, contributing to an overall sense of spaciousness.
As display technology continues to evolve, we're seeing exciting new possibilities emerge. Transparent and rollable screens, projectors with increasingly minimal footprints and art-mode televisions are changing how we integrate visual entertainment into sophisticated interiors.
These innovations may eventually render the wall-versus-console debate obsolete, but for now, the decision remains an important one that shapes both the function and feeling of your living space.
The most forward-thinking clients are already considering how these emerging technologies might be accommodated in their current design decisions. A thoughtfully designed space anticipates innovation rather than requiring complete reconfiguration when new possibilities arise.
At FCI London, we believe that true luxury lies not in following trends but in creating environments that enhance your daily experience through thoughtful design. The finest interiors always reflect a deep understanding of how spaces are lived in, not just how they are looked at.
Your luxury TV unit should support your lifestyle while contributing to an interior that feels both timeless and personal. As with all significant design decisions, I encourage taking the time to consider not just how your choice looks today, but how it will serve you tomorrow.
After all, the most sustainable luxury is that which endures, both physically and aesthetically, for years to come.
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