Entertainment Unit Size Guide: How to Choose the Right TV Unit for Your Space
Choosing the right entertainment unit is about more than simply finding a place for your television. The perfect TV unit should complement your living room, provide practical storage, and create a balanced focal point within the space.
Whether you're furnishing a coastal home, contemporary apartment, family living room or holiday retreat, selecting the correct entertainment unit size can make a significant difference to both functionality and aesthetics.
In this guide, we'll explain how to choose the right entertainment unit for your television size, room dimensions, storage requirements and lifestyle.
Why Entertainment Unit Size Matters
An entertainment unit is often one of the largest pieces of furniture in a living room. When properly proportioned, it helps anchor the space and creates visual balance between your television and surrounding furniture.
An entertainment unit that is too small can make a television appear oversized and awkward, while an oversized unit may overwhelm the room and reduce available floor space.
The ideal entertainment unit should:
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Be proportionate to your television
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Suit the size of the room
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Provide sufficient storage
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Allow for future technology upgrades
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Complement your interior design style
How Wide Should an Entertainment Unit Be?
As a general rule, your entertainment unit should be wider than your television.
Ideally, the unit should extend at least 10–20cm beyond each side of the television to create a balanced appearance.
This extra width also provides room for decorative styling, table lamps, books, baskets and decorative objects, helping the unit feel integrated into the overall design of the room.
Entertainment Unit Size Guide by TV Size
The following recommendations provide a practical starting point for most Australian homes.
| Television Size | Approximate Screen Width | Recommended Entertainment Unit Width |
|---|---|---|
| 55" TV | 122cm | 140–180cm |
| 65" TV | 144cm | 180–220cm |
| 75" TV | 166cm | 200–260cm |
| 85" TV | 188cm | 240–320cm |
These dimensions are intended as a guide only. Room proportions, wall width and storage requirements should also be considered when selecting an entertainment unit.
The Most Popular Entertainment Unit Sizes in Australia
Many Australian homeowners choose entertainment units within the following size ranges:
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180cm entertainment units
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200cm entertainment units
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220cm entertainment units
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240cm entertainment units
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300cm entertainment units
Larger entertainment units are particularly well suited to open-plan living spaces where they help create a strong focal point while providing valuable storage.
Should Your TV Sit on the Unit or Be Wall Mounted?
This is one of the most common questions homeowners face when designing a living room.
The answer largely depends on your personal preference, room layout and overall design style.
TV Positioned on the Entertainment Unit
Placing the television directly on the entertainment unit creates a relaxed and timeless look.
Benefits include:
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No wall installation required
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Easier access to cables and connections
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Greater flexibility when rearranging furniture
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Suitable for renters
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Creates a more casual and approachable aesthetic
This approach works particularly well in coastal, contemporary and organic modern interiors.
Wall-Mounted Television
Wall-mounted televisions have become increasingly popular in modern Australian homes.
Benefits include:
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Clean, streamlined appearance
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Creates a more architectural look
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Frees up surface space for styling
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Allows larger televisions to feel less dominant
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Can improve viewing angles
Even when the television is wall mounted, the entertainment unit remains important for storage, styling and visual balance.
How High Should an Entertainment Unit Be?
Most entertainment units range between 45cm and 65cm high.
For comfortable viewing, the centre of the television screen should generally sit close to eye level when seated.
Lower-profile entertainment units often create a more contemporary appearance and are particularly popular in modern coastal and resort-style interiors.
Consider Your Storage Requirements
Modern entertainment units often serve multiple purposes beyond housing a television.
Consider whether you need storage for:
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Streaming devices
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Gaming consoles
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Sound systems
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Books
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Family photographs
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Decorative accessories
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Children's toys and games
Choosing an entertainment unit with adequate storage helps maintain a clean and organised living space.
Choosing the Right Entertainment Unit for Your Living Room
Small Living Rooms
For apartments and compact spaces, look for entertainment units that provide storage without overwhelming the room.
Lighter finishes and elevated leg designs can help create a greater sense of openness.
Open-Plan Living Areas
Larger entertainment units between 220cm and 300cm wide often work beautifully in open-plan homes, helping define the living zone while creating a substantial focal point.
Family Homes
Practical storage, durable materials and generous surface space are often key priorities for busy households.
Look for designs that balance functionality with timeless style.
Timber Entertainment Units: A Timeless Choice
Timber entertainment units remain one of the most popular options for Australian homes.
Natural timber introduces warmth, texture and character while complementing a wide range of interior styles, including coastal, contemporary, Scandinavian and organic modern spaces.
Quality timber furniture also offers excellent longevity, making it a worthwhile investment for the home.
Common Entertainment Unit Buying Mistakes
Choosing a Unit That Is Too Narrow
A television that extends beyond the width of the unit beneath it often appears visually unbalanced.
Ignoring Wall Space
Always consider the available wall width, not just the television size.
Underestimating Storage Needs
Many homeowners focus on the television itself and overlook the storage required for everyday living.
Choosing Style Over Function
While aesthetics are important, practical storage, durability and room proportions should remain key considerations.
Finding the Perfect Entertainment Unit
The right entertainment unit should feel proportionate to your television, practical for your lifestyle and complementary to your home's design aesthetic.
Whether you're furnishing a compact apartment, a family home or a spacious coastal retreat, selecting the correct size entertainment unit will help create a living room that feels balanced, functional and beautifully considered.
At Magnolia Lane, our collection of entertainment units includes handcrafted timber designs, contemporary coastal styles and statement pieces designed to suit modern Australian homes.
Ready to find the perfect entertainment unit for your home?
Discover handcrafted timber entertainment units designed to suit modern Australian homes, from compact living spaces to expansive open-plan interiors.
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