BLOG

Choosing the right floating TV unit is one of the most important decisions when creating a clean, modern and practical entertainment space. A lot of people focus only on colour or style, but size is often what makes the biggest difference to how the finished setup actually looks in the room.

Get the size right, and your TV wall can feel sleek, balanced and high-end.

Get it wrong, and even a beautiful unit can feel awkward, cramped or visually “off”.

If you are currently comparing floating TV units and wondering what size you need, this guide will help you make the right choice for your living room, your wall space and your television.

In this article, we will cover:

• how wide your floating TV unit should be
• how to match it to your TV size
• what depth works best
• what to consider in smaller UK living rooms
• common sizing mistakes to avoid
• how to create a more expensive-looking TV wall

If you want floating TV units that actually look right in your home — not just in a showroom photo — this is what you need to know.

WHY SIZE MATTERS WHEN BUYING FLOATING TV UNITS

A floating TV unit does more than provide storage.

It also plays a huge role in the visual balance of the room.

Because floating TV units are wall-mounted and usually sit directly beneath the television, they become part of the overall composition of the wall. That means their size affects:

• proportion
• symmetry
• visual weight
• storage practicality
• how spacious or cluttered the room feels

Many people accidentally buy a unit that is too small because they are worried about overwhelming the room.

Ironically, that often has the opposite effect.

A floating TV unit that is too narrow or too shallow can make the whole wall look less intentional and less premium.

HOW WIDE SHOULD FLOATING TV UNITS BE?

This is the first thing to get right.

The general rule: wider than your TV

In most cases, floating TV units look best when they are wider than the television itself.

Why?

Because a wider unit helps visually “anchor” the TV.

Without that, the television can look oversized or like it is floating awkwardly on its own above a piece of furniture that feels too small to support it visually.

Why wider usually looks better

A wider floating TV unit creates:

• better proportion
• a cleaner design line
• more balanced symmetry
• more storage space
• a more expensive overall look

This is especially important if you have a larger television, such as:

• 55 inch TVs
• 65 inch TVs
• 75 inch TVs

A larger screen paired with a very compact unit often feels mismatched.

HOW TO MATCH FLOATING TV UNITS TO TV SIZE

A common mistake is buying based only on the screen size in inches.

That is a useful starting point, but it is not the whole picture.

TVs are measured diagonally, not by their actual width.

So before choosing floating TV units, it is always worth checking the real width of your television.

As a practical guideline:

For smaller TVs

If you have a smaller screen, you can usually use more compact floating TV units, especially in:

• flats
• bedrooms
• snug rooms
• smaller living rooms

For medium TVs

A mid-sized TV often suits a medium to wide floating unit that gives enough breathing room on each side.

For large TVs

Larger screens usually look best with longer floating TV units that create a more substantial and grounded setup.

The goal is not simply to “fit” the television.

The goal is to create a TV wall that looks considered and visually complete.

SHOULD YOUR FLOATING TV UNIT BE THE SAME WIDTH AS THE TV?

Usually, no.

A floating TV unit that is exactly the same width as the television can work in some very minimal spaces, but in most homes it tends to look too tight and slightly underwhelming.

A bit of extra width on either side helps the setup feel:

• more balanced
• more elegant
• more deliberate
• more architecturally pleasing

This is one of the easiest ways to make floating TV units look more premium.

HOW DEEP SHOULD FLOATING TV UNITS BE?

Width is the most obvious size factor, but depth matters just as much in day-to-day use.

The depth of floating TV units affects:

• how much they can store
• how far they project into the room
• whether they suit your living room layout
• whether devices fit comfortably inside

A unit that is too shallow may not work well for:

• streaming boxes
• gaming consoles
• routers
• accessories
• cable organisation

A unit that is too deep may:

• stick out too much
• feel bulky in smaller rooms
• interrupt walkways
• make the room feel tighter

The right depth depends on what you actually plan to put inside.

A lot of people underestimate this and end up with a unit that looks great empty but becomes impractical the moment they add real-life equipment.

HOW TO CHOOSE FLOATING TV UNITS FOR SMALL LIVING ROOMS

This is a very common concern in UK homes.

Not everyone has a large open-plan lounge or a huge feature wall to work with.

In fact, many British living rooms are relatively compact, and that makes furniture sizing even more important.

The good news is that floating TV units are often one of the best choices for small spaces.

Why they work so well in smaller rooms

Because they sit off the floor, floating TV units:

• make the room feel more open
• reduce visual heaviness
• improve floor visibility
• create a cleaner overall layout

That said, size still matters.

In smaller living rooms, look for floating TV units that:

• do not overwhelm the wall
• provide useful storage without excessive bulk
• suit the width of the room
• keep a clean line beneath the TV
• leave enough breathing space around the setup

In a small room, “compact but balanced” is usually better than “tiny”.

A floating TV unit that is too small can still make the room feel unfinished.

HOW TO MEASURE FOR FLOATING TV UNITS PROPERLY

Before buying, take proper measurements of the space.

Do not guess.

Measure these first:

1. Wall width

Measure the full usable width of the wall where the TV and floating unit will go.

2. TV width

Measure the actual width of your television, not just the screen size in inches.

3. Wall obstacles

Check for:

• doors
• windows
• radiators
• plug sockets
• light switches
• alcoves
• skirting and trims

4. Seating position

Think about how the setup will look from where you actually sit.

Why this matters

A floating TV unit may look great in isolation, but once mounted in your real room, it has to work with:

• the wall
• the TV
• the room proportions
• the furniture around it

The best setups always look intentional because they were measured properly before purchase.

HOW LONG SHOULD FLOATING TV UNITS BE ON A FEATURE WALL?

If you have a larger wall or feature media wall, you have more flexibility.

Long floating TV units can look particularly striking in:

• open-plan living spaces
• larger lounges
• wide chimney breast walls
• minimalist interiors
• homes with large televisions

A longer unit can help make the room feel more high-end because it creates a more architectural line across the wall.

This can be especially effective if you want a “built-in” style look without the cost or complexity of fully bespoke joinery.

COMMON SIZING MISTAKES TO AVOID

When buying floating TV units, there are a few mistakes that repeatedly lead to disappointing results.

1. Buying too narrow

This is one of the biggest errors.

A unit that is too narrow often makes the TV look oversized and unsupported.

2. Choosing based only on product photos

Showroom images can be misleading because they are styled to perfection and often photographed in larger rooms.

3. Ignoring internal storage size

A floating TV unit may look sleek from the outside but be too small inside for your actual setup.

4. Forgetting cable routes

If you have multiple devices, routers or consoles, your unit needs to work with your cable management plan.

5. Not considering the full room

The right size is not just about the TV. It is about how the unit sits within the whole wall and room layout.

HOW TO MAKE FLOATING TV UNITS LOOK MORE EXPENSIVE

A lot of the “luxury look” comes down to proportion.

If you want floating TV units to feel more premium, focus on:

• good width relative to the TV
• balanced spacing
• clean cable management
• uncluttered styling
• the right scale for the wall

Often, it is not about buying the biggest unit.

It is about choosing one that looks properly proportioned.

That is what gives the finished setup that polished, intentional feel.

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHAT SIZE FLOATING TV UNIT SHOULD YOU BUY?

The best floating TV unit size depends on:

• your TV width
• your wall width
• your room size
• your storage needs
• the overall look you want

As a general rule, floating TV units usually look best when they are:

• wider than the television
• deep enough for real storage
• proportionate to the room
• suited to the full TV wall, not just the screen itself

If you get the size right, the difference is huge.

Your living room will feel more balanced, more modern and far more put together.

And if you are investing in floating TV units for your home, that is exactly what you want.

FAQ SECTION 

What size floating TV unit do I need?

The right size depends on your TV width, wall space and storage needs. In most cases, floating TV units look best when they are wider than the television.

Should a floating TV unit be wider than the TV?

Yes, in most setups a floating TV unit looks better when it is wider than the TV because it creates better visual balance and a more premium overall appearance.

Are floating TV units good for small living rooms?

Yes, floating TV units are often ideal for small living rooms because they free up visible floor space and make the room feel less cluttered.

How deep should floating TV units be?

They should be deep enough to hold your devices and accessories without sticking out too much into the room. The right depth depends on what you need to store.

Can floating TV units hold gaming consoles?

Yes, many floating TV units are suitable for gaming consoles, streaming boxes and other media devices, as long as the internal storage space is large enough.