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  4. Home Transformations: The Media Wall

Interiors & Decorating

Inspiration and advice on interior design, decorating styles, colour schemes and home aesthetics.

Interiors & Decorating

Home Transformations: The Media Wall

If you are looking for a way to streamline your living room, a media wall could be just the thing for you. Feature walls are nothing new; for decades, we have been adding a pop of colour, a feature wallpaper or even some interesting texture (remember rag rolling?) to specific walls to create a central focal point. But in the age of flat screen TVs and multiple items of technology, from data sticks to gaming consoles, a feature wall needs to do more than draw the eye, it needs to hide a multitude of wires, too. Stand down the TV unit and enter the media wall.

If you are looking for a way to streamline your living room, a media wall could be just the thing for you. Feature walls are nothing new; for decades, we have been adding a pop of colour, a feature wallpaper or even some interesting texture (remember rag rolling?) to specific walls to create a central focal point. But in the age of flat screen TVs and multiple items of technology, from data sticks to gaming consoles, a feature wall needs to do more than draw the eye, it needs to hide a multitude of wires, too. Stand down the TV unit and enter the media wall.

What is a media wall?

If you think that a media wall is a wall with cuttings and pictures on it, in the style of a TV detective, then think again. A media wall is a clever way of hiding wires, fixtures and fittings, and making your appliances fit seamlessly into the room, becoming part of the room’s structure, rather than an add-on. A bespoke media wall will help you to organise your home, declutter your living space, and give it definite wow-factor, creating instant impact as soon as someone enters the room.

Different types of media wall

Some media walls are as simple as building on an existing chimney breast or creating a chimney breast effect to house an electric fire and a television. However, the possibilities of a media wall are really only limited by your imagination.

Identifying your needs

The first step is to decide what you want your media wall to do for you. Do you want your media wall to:

  • Be nothing but a feature wall
  • Declutter the room
  • Create additional storage space
  • House a range of technology (speakers, electric fire, consoles etc.)

Prioritise what technology will be held within the wall and you can start looking at design options. If there is lots of tech, you need to make sure that you have sufficient power points, rather than overloading existing ones. Consult an electrician and get additional power points installed before you start (don’t forget, these will need to be accessible so will need to be behind a false wall or shelf). If you want the wall to include a recessed fireplace, you must make sure that the fire you choose is front vented, otherwise all the heat will be lost in the cavity.

Have a look online at different options, then get in touch with a carpenter, who will be able to quote for designing and building your media wall. Although it is important that the wall does what you need it to do, remember that your needs may change – or you may sell your home one day. Don’t make it so specific that, for example, only your speakers and gaming console will fit; leave some room for change.

If you want to create a media wall with wow factor, get quotes from reliable handymen, carpenters and builders on TrustATrader.com. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more great ideas.

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Looking for more interiors & decorating advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common interiors & decorating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

  • What is the difference between a painter and a decorator?

    A painter focuses on applying paint - walls, ceilings, woodwork. A decorator does all of that but also handles wallpaper, specialist finishes, surface prep, and can advise on colours and materials. Many professionals do both and call themselves painters and decorators. For a straightforward repaint, a painter is fine. If you want wallpaper, something specialist, or someone to help you make decisions about the finish, go with a decorator.

  • How many coats of paint does a professional decorator apply?

    For most walls, it's a primer or mist coat, then two topcoats. New plaster, bare surfaces, or a big colour change might need more preparation or extra coats. Cutting corners on coats or using cheap paint are the most common ways to get a finish that looks fine at first and starts showing its age within a year. A trusted decorator always prepares the surface properly and won't rush between coats.

  • How do I prepare my home before a decorator arrives?

    Move furniture away from the walls and take down pictures, mirrors, and anything fixed to the walls. If you can strip old wallpaper yourself beforehand, it'll save time on site. Make sure every part of the room is accessible and well-lit. Talk through surface prep with the decorator in advance - a good one will tell you exactly what they need before they can start.

  • How do I know if my walls need replastering before decorating?

    If there are significant cracks, areas that sound hollow when you tap them, persistent damp, or large patches that are flaking or badly uneven - replastering first will give a much better result. Decorating over problem plaster looks fine initially but every imperfection tends to show through, especially with modern matt paints. A decorator can assess whether full replastering or careful preparation and skim coating will get you where you want to be.

  • What are the most popular interior design styles right now?

    There's been a pretty clear shift away from the all-grey, everything-neutral look of the 2010s. Warmer tones are dominating - clay, terracotta, stone, off-white - with natural materials like linen, rattan, and solid timber replacing high-gloss finishes. Biophilic design (plants, natural light, organic shapes) has gone from trend to standard practice. There's also a real appetite for spaces that feel personal and collected rather than showroom-ready - bold wallpaper, layered textiles, and period features being celebrated rather than painted over.

  • How long does a full home decorating project typically take?

    A single room in good condition typically takes a professional two to three days. A full house - particularly an older property that needs a little more care beforehand - can take several weeks. The part that often catches people off guard is the preparation: stripping wallpaper, filling, sanding, and priming all take a good amount of time, and doing them properly really does make all the difference to the finished result.

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