TV Unit Design Checklist: Sizes, Cable Routing and Storage

The TV unit is usually the first thing a guest notices in a living room, and it is also one of the most common sources of regret in interiors in Mysuru homes. Wires dangling below a wall-mounted screen, a set-top box that overheats inside a closed shutter, or a cabinet that looks lovely but cannot fit the next television you buy: all of these are planning mistakes, not carpentry mistakes.

This checklist is for homeowners finalising a living room or bedroom layout, whether in a new build or an older house being refreshed. Work through it before the carpenter cuts a single board, and ideally before the electrician closes the wall.

1. Sizes: plan for the screen you will own in five years

Most families upgrade their television at least once during the life of a TV unit. Design the wall for a larger screen than the one you have today.

• Measure the wall, not the TV. Mark the full usable width between windows, doors and switchboards. The back panel should leave breathing space on both sides of the screen so it does not look squeezed.
• Leave headroom for a bigger screen. Keep the panel area around the screen clear of shelves or lights that would block a wider or taller model later.
• Viewing distance. As a general rule, larger screens need more distance from the sofa. Sit where you will actually watch and check that you can take in the whole picture without turning your head.
• Viewing height. The centre of the screen should sit roughly at seated eye level. A common mistake is mounting the TV high like a showroom display, which strains the neck over long viewing. Sit on your actual sofa and have someone hold a sheet of cardboard at the proposed height.
• Low cabinet depth. A console that is too deep eats into circulation space; one that is too shallow cannot hold a set-top box, router or soundbar with its cables. Measure your devices, add room behind them for plugs, and decide depth from that.

2. Cable routing: decide before the wall is plastered

Clean cable management is almost impossible to add neatly after painting. In a new construction or renovation, this is the most valuable conversation to have with your electrician and interior designer together.

• Conceal a conduit from the screen position down to the low cabinet. A wide PVC pipe inside the wall, with smooth bends, lets you pull HDMI, power and antenna cables through later without breaking plaster.
• Place sockets behind the screen. A power point and a data point hidden behind the TV avoid a visible wire running down the wall. Keep them within the mount area but not directly where the bracket bolts go.
• Add a second set of sockets inside the console for the set-top box, router, gaming console and soundbar. Count your devices and add a couple of spares.
• Use a cable grommet or cut-out at the back of every shelf that holds a device, so cables drop straight down instead of trailing across the front.
• Provide an access panel. A removable back panel or a hinged flap lets you replace a cable without dismantling the unit.
• Protect against power fluctuations. Ask your electrician about surge protection for the TV circuit. Homes that see frequent voltage dips can benefit from a stabiliser or protected socket strip that has its own ventilated spot.

For older houses where the walls are already finished, a surface raceway painted to match the wall, or a wall panel that sits a little proud of the plaster to hide wires behind it, are workable alternatives.

3. Storage that stays tidy

A TV unit should hold what actually lives in a living room, not just decorative objects.

• Open slots for electronics. Set-top boxes and routers need airflow and a clear line for the remote’s signal. Use open shelves, or shutters with glass, cane or perforated panels.
• Closed drawers for clutter. Remotes, chargers, manuals, board games and spare batteries disappear best into soft-close drawers.
• Display shelves in moderation. A few lit niches for photographs or a brass lamp look considered; too many become dust collectors.
• Keep pooja or showcase functions separate. Combining a TV unit with a pooja shelf or a crockery display rarely works well visually. If space forces it, separate them with a clear panel break.

4. Materials, heat and finishes for local conditions

Mysuru’s humidity during the monsoon and the heat generated by electronics both affect material choice.

• Choose moisture-resistant board for the carcass, especially on an external wall or near a window. Ask your contractor to specify the grade in writing.
• Ventilate the back panel. Leave a gap or vents behind closed compartments holding electronics. Trapped heat shortens device life.
• Pick a matte or textured finish behind the screen. High-gloss laminate reflects windows and lights and causes glare on the screen.
• Check the wall strength. A heavy wall panel and a large screen need proper anchoring. Hollow or old walls may need a backing frame.

Because architecture, structure, interiors and construction are handled in-house at Uniq Builders, the TV wall can be coordinated with the electrical layout and working drawings from the start, so conduits and sockets end up where the joinery expects them. The same planning applies when we take up interiors for existing and old houses, where the wall conditions are checked first.

If you are comparing options, look at the residential interiors service to see the scope, browse more guides in the Mysuru interiors blog, or check which construction packages include interiors. Our Gold package comes with complimentary interiors and the Platinum package includes interiors throughout; rates are starting rates and terms and conditions apply. To discuss your living room, book a free site visit and consultation or call +91 98449 93200, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Frequently asked questions

Should the TV be wall-mounted or placed on the console?

Wall mounting saves space, keeps the screen safe from children and gives a cleaner look when cables are concealed. Placing it on the console is simpler and suits rented homes or walls that cannot take heavy fixings. Either way, decide before the electrical work so sockets are in the right place.

Can cables be hidden in a house that is already painted?

Yes, though with more compromise. A slim raceway painted to match the wall, or a decorative panel fixed slightly away from the wall, can hide wires without chiselling. Chasing the wall for a conduit is also possible but means repainting that section.

How early should I plan the TV unit in a new home?

Plan it at the electrical layout stage, before wall plastering. That is when conduit routes, socket positions and network points can be fixed at little extra cost. Joinery details such as shelf sizes and finishes can be finalised later during the interiors phase.