Domakihub How to Style a TV Unit That Looks Intentional, Not Cluttered
Turn the most overlooked corner of your living room into a composed, camera-ready focal point.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
The TV unit is the first thing guests see when they walk into a living room, yet it is usually the last thing owners think to style properly. Whether you are preparing a family home in Athens, a holiday apartment on a Greek island, or a boutique hotel suite, a well-dressed TV console signals quality and care without a single renovation. The video above demonstrates the principle live; the steps below give you a repeatable system you can apply in an afternoon.
Why TV Units Look Messy by Default
Most TV units fail visually for the same reasons: cables trail in full view, every surface gets stacked with remotes and chargers, and the objects placed around the screen have no relationship to one another in height, texture, or colour. The television itself is a large black rectangle that commands attention, so everything around it is competing — and losing.
In Greek homes and holiday rentals, the problem is often compounded by the practical reality that the unit holds satellite boxes, Wi-Fi routers, and streaming devices. Styling is not about hiding that these items exist; it is about grouping, concealing cables, and choosing decorative objects that have enough visual weight to hold their own beside a 55-inch screen.
The Rules That Make Styling Repeatable
Good TV unit styling follows three simple principles. First, vary the height of every object on the unit — nothing should sit at the same level as its neighbour. Second, work in odd numbers: groups of three or five read as curated rather than random. Third, leave deliberate empty space. Negative space is not wasted space; it gives the eye somewhere to rest and makes the objects you have chosen look more considered.
Colour discipline matters especially in open-plan layouts common in Greek apartments and villas. Anchor the unit to your room's existing palette by pulling two or three tones that already appear in your sofa, rug, or curtains. Introduce one metallic accent — brass, matte black, or brushed nickel — and repeat it at least twice so it reads as intentional rather than accidental.
5 Steps to Style Your TV Unit
- 1
Clear everything off and start from zero
Remove every object from the unit, including the items inside open shelves. Wipe the surface clean. Starting from a blank slate lets you make deliberate choices instead of just rearranging the existing clutter. Take a phone photo of the empty unit so you have a reference point — even a bare console often reveals cable tangles or dust that need addressing before any styling begins.
- 2
Manage cables first
No amount of decorative styling survives visible cable chaos. Use a cable management box or a fabric-covered tray to bundle power strips and device cables out of sight. If the TV is wall-mounted, run cables through a slim raceway painted to match the wall. For units with enclosed cupboards, drill a small hole at the back to route cables cleanly. This one step will do more for the overall look than any decorative object you add.
- 3
Anchor with one tall element on each end
Place one taller object at the left end and one at the right end of the unit — a slim table lamp, a tall vase, a sculptural plant in a ceramic pot. These vertical anchors frame the television and prevent the composition from looking flat. In holiday rentals and hotel rooms, a pair of matching bedside-style lamps on either side of the unit also adds ambient lighting that guests appreciate in the evenings.
- 4
Build a mid-height cluster in the centre or to one side
Between the tall anchors, create one or two groupings of mid-height objects: a stack of two or three design books with a small object on top, a low bowl with decorative stones or driftwood (fitting for a coastal Greek property), or a scented candle beside a small sculpture. Keep the cluster to one side of centre if the screen is large — this avoids the composition looking too symmetrical and rigid. Odd numbers (three items, five items) almost always look better than even pairs.
- 5
Add one living element and step back to edit
A small plant or a sprig of dried botanicals introduces organic texture that softens the hard lines of the unit and the screen. Olive branches in a simple terracotta vase are an easy, locally resonant choice for properties in Greece. Once everything is in place, step back to the entrance of the room and look at the full composition. Remove anything that is fighting for attention rather than contributing to the whole — less is almost always more.
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FAQ
- How do I style a TV unit in a small apartment without making it look overcrowded?
- In small spaces, restraint is the key principle. Limit yourself to three objects maximum on the surface — one tall, one mid-height, one low — and leave the rest of the surface bare. Avoid anything that is purely decorative with no practical function; a single table lamp that also provides ambient light earns its place. Floating TV units with no legs also help because they reveal floor space, making the room feel larger.
- What should I do with the satellite box, router, and remote controls?
- Place tech devices inside closed cabinets or a cable management box wherever possible, and use a universal remote to eliminate the pile of individual remotes. A small decorative tray corrals one or two remotes that must stay accessible and signals that they belong there. Routers with signal-blocking concerns should remain in open air but can be positioned at the back of a shelf behind a low-profile decorative object.
- Is it better to have a TV on a unit or wall-mounted above it?
- For most living rooms and rental properties, wall-mounting the TV with the unit below is the cleanest look because it separates the screen from the styling zone and makes cable management easier. The rule of thumb is to mount the screen so that the centre of the display is at eye level when seated — roughly 100 to 110 centimetres from the floor in a standard sofa setup. Avoid mounting too high, a very common mistake that causes neck strain and makes the room feel like a waiting room.