Media Wall Storage Explained: Options & Ideas

So, you’re thinking about a media wall? Great choice! They’re super popular right now, and for good reason. They take your living room from “just a room with a TV” to a proper entertainment hub that looks seriously stylish. But here’s the thing: a media wall isn’t just about a fancy TV setup or a cool electric fire. It’s also your golden ticket to finally organising all that “stuff” with built-in media wall storage. We’re talking about ditching those tangled wires and random piles of remotes for good!

This guide explores the different ways you can incorporate media wall storage into your set-up, making your setup both pretty and practical.

Why bother with media wall storage?

You might wonder if dedicated media wall storage is really that big a deal. Trust us, it is! Think about it—all those consoles, games, remotes, DVDs (if you still have them!), books, and little knick-knacks need a home. Without proper storage, your sleek new media wall can quickly look messy.

Here’s why getting your storage sorted is a game-changer:

• Goodbye Clutter: Tuck away all those bits and bobs that make a room feel messy. Hello, calm and tidy space!
• Looks Good, Feels Good: A neat media wall looks much better and helps keep that stylish vibe you’re going for.
• Everything in its Place: No more hunting for the remote! When everything has a spot, life gets easier.
• Smart Use of Space: Media walls are great for using wall space, especially if your room isn’t huge. Good storage makes the most of that.

What kind of media wall storage can you have?

You've got loads of options when it comes to kitting out your media wall with storage. You can mix and match to get it right for what you need and how you want it to look.

1. Open Shelves: Show Off Your Style

Open shelves are cool, modern, and light and airy. They’re perfect for showing off your favourite books, ornaments, or family photos. Plus, everything is easy to grab. Floating shelves are a particularly popular choice for a clean, minimal look.

• Pros: It looks light, is excellent for displaying things, it's easy to get your stuff, and it can be arranged how you like.
• Cons: Can look messy if you don’t keep them tidy, and things can get dusty.
• Perfect for: Pretty ornaments, books, or music and film collections.

2. Closed Cabinets: Hide it Away!

Cabinets are your best friend for hiding things you don’t necessarily want on show – think games consoles, that massive DVD collection, or all the techy boxes. They keep everything looking neat and protect your stuff from dust. You can get solid doors, glass ones (if you want a sneak peek), or even doors with speaker fabric, so the sound comes through, but the speakers stay hidden.

• Pros: Hides clutter, keeps things safe, lots of door styles to choose from.
• Cons: Can look a bit bulkier than shelves, and you have to open doors to get to things.
• Perfect for: Game consoles, movies, tech gear, or anything else you want to keep dust-free.

3. Drawers: For All the Little Things

Drawers are brilliant for all those smaller bits and pieces – remote controls, charging cables, game controllers, and instruction manuals. They keep everything organised and out of sight, but still easy to find. Bonus points for soft-close drawers – no more slamming!

• Pros: Keeps small stuff tidy, easy to grab, and neat.
• Cons: Not great for bigger items, and sometimes things get lost at the back.
• Perfect for: Remotes, cables, game controllers, manuals, and small accessories.

4. Floating Units: Sleek and Space-Saving

Like floating shelves, you can get whole cabinets or media units that attach to the wall. This looks super modern, and because the floor underneath is clear, it makes the room feel bigger, and cleaning is a doddle. These can have a mix of shelves and cupboards.

• Pros: Looks modern, saves floor space, and is easier to clean under.
• Cons: They can be trickier to put up; you need to think about how much weight they can hold.
• Perfect for: Minimalist looks, smaller rooms, and making a space feel open.

5. Built-in Bookcases: For the Bookworms (and Collectors!)

Building bookcases into your media wall is fantastic if you love books or have many cool things you want to display. They can go on either side of the TV and fire, or even take up a whole wall section. It adds a nice, cosy feel.

• Pros: Loads of space for books and display items make the room feel cosy and smart.
• Cons: They can look a bit much if they’re too big and they need regular dusting.
• Perfect for: Books (obviously!), big collections of ornaments, and creating a mini-library vibe.

6. Niches and Alcoves: Stylish Little Spots

Little recessed nooks or alcoves, maybe with some cool LED strip lighting, are great for showing off a special piece of art, a fancy vase, or even some of your audio gear. They add a bit of depth and character to the wall.

• Pros: It adds a bit of visual flair, is great for highlighting special items, and can have built-in lights.
• Cons: You can’t change the size or spot once they’re built, and they might not suit everything.
• Perfect for: Sculptures, vases, high-end speakers, and creating little focal points.

7. Mix and Match: The Best of Everything

Often, the best media wall storage uses a bit of everything. Maybe you’ll have cupboards at the bottom for your tech, open shelves on the side for books and photos, and a couple of drawers for remotes. This way, you get storage that’s perfectly tailored to you.

8. Hidden Media Wall Storage

Think about hidden media wall storage for a clean, almost invisible look. This could be panels that slide or lift up to show storage behind them, or even storage built in behind where the TV hangs. Push-to-open doors and drawers with no handles make it look even more seamless.

Things to think about when you’re planning

A bit of planning goes a long way in making sure your media wall storage is spot on.

• What Do You Need to Store? Make a quick list of everything that needs a home, from your biggest gadgets to the smallest remotes. This helps you determine what kind of storage you need and how big it should be.
• Easy Access: Consider how often you’ll need to get to things. Stuff you use all the time should be easy to reach.
• Keep Your Tech Cool: Gadgets (like Sky boxes or PlayStations) can get pretty warm. They need space to breathe to prevent overheating. Look for open-backed cabinets, special vents, or just make sure there’s enough space around them. Some units even have metal vented panels—aim for about 7,000 mm2 of vent area if possible.
• Cable Chaos Control: One of the best things about a media wall is hiding all those messy wires. Plan how you’ll run your cables. You can use good old cable tidies, or run them through channels in the wall.
• Match Your Style: Your storage should complement the rest of your media wall and room. Consider colours, materials, and handles that fit your vibe, whether ultra-modern, classic, or rustic.
• Think Ahead: Technology changes fast! Try to design your storage to adapt a bit if you get new gadgets or your needs change. Modular units can be good for this.
• What’s it Made Of? Choose materials that will last and look good. MDF is great for a smooth painted finish, wood veneers add warmth, glass gives a modern touch, and laminates come in a huge range of colours and finishes.

Adding a fire to your media wall

A media wall electric fire completes the look and makes the room feel super cosy. Here’s how to think about adding storage around your media wall fire:

• Where Does It Go? Put storage above the fire (if it’s designed for that and the heat goes forward), below it, or on either side. Symmetrical arrangements often look best.
• Heat and Safety: Electric fires don’t get as hot as wood-burning or gas fires, and many are designed to push heat away from your TV and cupboards. But always check the fireplace instructions for how much space you need to leave around it (distance to combustibles). This keeps everyone safe and stops your electronics or stored items from getting too hot. A shelf or mantel between the TV and the fire can also help block some heat.
• Keep it Balanced: Your storage should not look too big or too small compared to the fire and TV. You want everything to look like it belongs together.

DIY or call in the pros?

You might be happy to do simple stuff, like putting up a few floating shelves, yourself. But it's often best to get a professional in for the more complicated media walls with built-in cupboards, wiring for lights and the fire, and getting the TV hung just right. They’ll make sure it’s all safe, sturdy, and looks fantastic. Plus, they can give you design tips!

Wrapping it up

Good storage is key to an amazing media wall. It transforms your entertainment space from potentially messy to super smart, organised, and a joy to use. By considering what you need and the different options available, you can create a media wall that’s not just a showstopper but also makes your home life a bit easier and a lot tidier.

If you’re dreaming of a media wall with a beautiful electric fire, why not check out what we have at Direct Fireplaces? We have a fantastic range of electric fires for media walls in any style and size of room. Our friendly team can arrange installation for you, and we offer free delivery on your order. Plus, with our 14-day return policy, you can shop with confidence. And if you want to spread the cost, we have finance options. Your perfect media wall could be closer than you think!