TV Units South Africa
TL;DR
- Your TV unit should be at least as wide as your TV - ideally 10-15cm wider on each side for balance and stability.
- The ideal TV unit height places your TV screen centre at eye level when seated, which is typically 100-115cm from the floor for most South African sofas.
- Freestanding TV units are better for renters and those who move furniture often. Floating/wall-mounted units save floor space and look sleek but require wall installation.
- MDP/MDF with UV coating is the most practical and affordable material for most South African homes - durable, moisture-resistant, and available in a wide range of finishes.
- A TV unit with built-in cable management holes makes a dramatic difference to how neat your lounge looks.
- When styling your TV unit, balance functional storage with decorative items - plants, books, and framed photos work well on either side of the TV.
Introduction
The living room is the heart of a South African home. It is where families gather for braai day highlights, where Sunday afternoons stretch out on the couch, and where binge-watching your favourite series becomes a proper event. And right at the centre of it all? The TV unit.
Yet most people spend weeks researching which television to buy and then choose the stand or unit in five minutes as an afterthought. The result: a beautiful TV on a unit that is the wrong width, the wrong height, or the wrong style for the room - and a lounge that never quite comes together.
This guide works through the seven questions South Africans ask most often when shopping for a TV unit. Each one is answered in plain language, backed by practical guidelines, so you can make a confident decision before you click "add to cart."
1. What is the difference between a TV unit, a TV stand, and an entertainment unit?
The terms get used interchangeably, but they do mean slightly different things.
A TV stand is a compact, no-fuss piece of furniture designed specifically to hold your television at a comfortable viewing height. It usually has open shelves or a small cabinet underneath for decoders, DSTV boxes, gaming consoles, or soundbars. TV stands tend to sit lower to the ground and work best in living rooms where the TV is the primary focus.
A TV unit is a broader term that includes TV stands but also refers to wider, more feature-rich console-style pieces. TV units often span a larger portion of the wall, offer more storage (including cupboard doors to hide clutter), and serve as a design statement in the room. In South Africa, the terms "TV unit" and "TV stand" are often used to mean the same thing.
An entertainment unit (also called an entertainment centre) refers to a large, integrated wall piece - sometimes floor-to-ceiling - that wraps around the TV with shelving, cabinets, display space, and sometimes even a fireplace surround. These are the big-build options, often installed as part of a home renovation.
For most South African homes, a mid-range TV unit or TV stand in the 150-185cm width range is the practical sweet spot - substantial enough to make a visual impact, compact enough to work in open-plan and smaller living rooms alike.
2. What size TV unit do I need for my TV?
This is the most common question - and the answer is simpler than most people expect.
The golden rule: wider is better
Your TV unit should always be wider than your television. The widely accepted rule of thumb is that the unit should extend at least 10-15cm beyond each side of the screen. This ensures:
- The TV does not overhang the edges (a safety risk and an aesthetic problem)
- The setup looks visually balanced rather than top-heavy
- You have a small amount of surface area for speakers, a soundbar, or decor items
Quick reference sizing guide
Here is a practical guide for common South African TV sizes:
| TV Screen Size | Approximate TV Width | Recommended Unit Width |
|---|---|---|
| 32 inch | ~72cm | 100-120cm |
| 43 inch | ~96cm | 120-140cm |
| 50 inch | ~111cm | 130-155cm |
| 55 inch | ~122cm | 145-165cm |
| 65 inch | ~144cm | 165-185cm |
| 75 inch | ~166cm | 185-200cm |
A note on depth
The depth of your TV unit matters more than most people realise. Modern flat-screen TVs are wall-mounted more often than placed directly on the unit, but if you are placing your TV on the unit, make sure the unit is at least 40-45cm deep to give the TV a stable footprint. If your TV is wall-mounted above the unit, depth matters less - you just need enough space to house your decoder and other devices.
For context, Click Furniture's TV units range from 33.5cm to 41.5cm deep, which comfortably accommodates decoders, game consoles, and remote controls without the unit protruding awkwardly into the room.
3. What height should a TV unit be in my living room?
Height is where most people go wrong - and where neck strain begins.
The eye-level rule
The goal is to have the centre of your TV screen at roughly your seated eye level. For the average South African sitting on a standard sofa, that seated eye level is approximately 100-115cm from the floor.
Here is the practical calculation:
- Measure your TV's screen height (not the diagonal size - the actual height of the visible screen area)
- Divide that by 2 to find the screen's midpoint
- Subtract that from your target eye level (around 107cm for most people)
- The result is roughly how high your TV unit needs to be
For example: A 65-inch TV has a screen height of about 80cm. Half of that is 40cm. 107cm minus 40cm = 67cm - meaning you want a unit that places the bottom of the TV at around 67cm from the floor, which equates to a unit height of approximately 55-70cm.
Most quality TV units (including those in the Click Furniture range) sit between 45-65cm tall, which places a 55-65 inch TV at close to the ideal viewing height when sitting on a standard-height couch.
What about wall-mounted TVs?
If you are mounting your TV directly to the wall, the unit height becomes less critical (because the TV height is set independently). You still want the unit to sit visually below the TV with a comfortable gap of around 15-25cm between the top of the unit and the bottom of the screen.
4. Should I get a floating or freestanding TV unit?
Both options have real advantages. Your best choice depends on your living situation, your wall type, and how you use the space.
Floating (wall-mounted) TV units
A floating TV unit is fixed directly to the wall, giving it that "hovering" look above the floor. The floor remains fully visible beneath it, which makes the room feel larger and easier to clean.
Choose a floating unit if:
- You have a smaller living room and want the space to feel more open
- You prefer a sleek, minimalist modern aesthetic
- Your walls are solid (brick or concrete, as is common in South African homes) and can support the weight
- You are comfortable with wall installation or hiring someone to help
Consider the trade-offs:
- Wall-mounted units require proper installation (especially in rental properties where drilling may not be allowed)
- If you move, the unit cannot simply come with you without wall repairs
- Storage capacity tends to be slightly less than a comparable freestanding unit
Freestanding (floor-standing) TV units
Freestanding units sit on legs or a base and require no wall installation at all. You simply place them where you want and connect your devices.
Choose a freestanding unit if:
- You are renting and cannot make permanent changes to walls
- You prefer flexibility to rearrange your furniture layout
- You want more built-in storage (most freestanding units offer more cabinet and shelf space)
- You have children or pets and prefer a more stable, grounded option
In South Africa's rental market - where a significant portion of urban dwellers rent their homes - freestanding TV units are the more practical choice for most households. They are also easier to assemble and do not carry the risk of wall damage if you move.
5. What material is best for a TV unit in South Africa?
Walk into any furniture store or browse any online catalogue and you will encounter a range of materials. Here is what you actually need to know.
MDP/MDF with UV or laminate coating (the practical everyday choice)
Most mid-range TV units sold in South Africa - including those from Click Furniture - are made from MDP (Medium Density Particle Board) or MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) with a UV or PVC laminate finish.
The reputation of MDF as "cheap" is outdated. Modern MDP panels with UV painting are:
- Resistant to moisture and humidity (relevant in humid coastal cities like Durban)
- Easy to wipe clean (important in households with kids)
- Consistent in colour and finish with no natural grain variation
- More affordable than solid wood without sacrificing structural integrity for everyday furniture use
- Available in a wide range of contemporary finishes including textured oak, matte white, and gloss black
A good-quality 15mm MDP unit with UV painting will comfortably last 10-15 years with normal use.
Solid wood (premium, but consider your climate)
Solid hardwood TV units (teak, oak, mahogany) are beautiful and genuinely durable. However, in South Africa's climate - particularly in Gauteng where the dry Highveld winters can be extreme - solid wood can warp or crack if not properly sealed and maintained. Solid wood units also cost significantly more, typically starting at R5,000 and going well beyond R15,000 for quality pieces.
Glass and metal
Glass-fronted units look elegant but attract fingerprints and are fragile in homes with children. Metal frames add an industrial edge but are often paired with MDF shelves. These are niche choices best reserved for specific interior styles rather than practical everyday living rooms.
Bottom line: For most South African homes, a well-made 15mm MDP unit with a quality UV or laminate finish offers the best balance of durability, aesthetics, and value.
6. How do I hide cables behind a TV unit?
Messy cables are the fastest way to ruin a well-designed living room setup. Here are the practical solutions that work in South African homes.
1. Choose a TV unit with built-in cable management holes
The simplest solution is to buy a TV unit that already has cable routing holes in the back panel or shelves. These allow you to thread cables from your decoder, HDMI leads, and power extensions through the unit internally rather than draping them over the outside. Several units in the Click Furniture range include this feature - the Helsinki TV Stand, for example, has a built-in cable management hole alongside its sliding storage door.
2. Use cable clips and cable sleeves
For cables running along skirting boards or up the wall, cable management clips (available at most South African hardware stores from around R50) bundle and route cables neatly against the wall. Cable sleeves - flexible fabric tubes that bundle multiple cables into one - are also widely available online.
3. Run cables behind the wall
The cleanest solution is to run cables through the cavity behind your drywall. This requires two small rectangular cutouts (one behind the TV and one near the nearest power point), a cable conduit, and a few hours of DIY or a handyman. The result is a completely cable-free wall. This works particularly well in South African homes with plasterboard partition walls; solid concrete or brick walls require a licensed electrician to run cables through trunking channels.
4. Use a media box or storage cupboard
Many TV units include a cupboard section specifically designed to house your decoder, Wi-Fi router, and other devices with the doors closed. This hides not just the cables but the devices themselves, leaving the top surface clean for your TV and decor. This is one of the most underrated features to look for when choosing a TV unit.
7. How do I style a TV unit in my living room?
The TV unit often becomes the focal point of the entire room - but making it look intentional rather than like a dumping ground for remotes takes a little thought.
Balance function and decoration
The most common mistake is either leaving the unit completely bare (functional but cold) or over-filling it with random objects (cluttered and distracting). Aim for a mix: keep one or two shelves reserved for your tech (decoder, console, soundbar), and use the remaining surface space for curated decor.
What to put on your TV unit
- Plants: A small trailing plant or succulent adds life to the space and softens the hard lines of the unit. Low-maintenance options like pothos or sansevieria work well in South African living rooms.
- Books: A small stack of coffee table books on one side adds warmth and personality.
- Framed photos or art: Keep frames simple and consistent (all black frames, or all natural wood) to avoid a chaotic look.
- A decorative bowl or tray: Groups smaller items like TV remotes and creates a tidy, intentional look on open shelves.
- A table lamp or LED strip light: Ambient lighting behind the TV unit reduces eye strain and makes evening viewing more comfortable. LED strips attached to the back of the TV and unit are a popular and affordable option.
Colour and contrast
Think about how your TV unit colour interacts with the rest of the room. A white unit works in virtually any interior - it reflects light and feels clean and modern. A dark unit (black, espresso, or charcoal) creates dramatic contrast and anchors the space. An oak or wood-tone unit adds warmth, particularly in rooms with concrete floors or industrial elements.
If in doubt, match your TV unit finish to another key element in the room - your dining table, your bookshelf, or your couch legs. Repetition of materials and finishes creates visual coherence.
Choosing a TV Unit in South Africa: What to Look For
Here is a practical checklist before you buy:
- Width: At least 10-15cm wider than your TV on each side
- Height: Between 45-65cm to place most screens at the ideal viewing angle
- Depth: At least 35cm to comfortably house your decoder and devices
- Material: 15mm MDP or MDF with UV coating for durability and value
- Storage: At least one closed cupboard section to hide cables and devices
- Cable management: Built-in routing holes in the back panel or shelves
- Weight capacity: Confirm the unit can carry the weight of your TV if placing it on top
- Assembly: Most flat-pack units come with full hardware and instructions - allow an hour or two for assembly
Shop TV Units at Click Furniture
If you are looking for a TV unit that checks all of those boxes without breaking the budget, the Click Furniture TV unit range is worth a look. All units are delivered free nationwide across South Africa, come flat-packed with assembly instructions, and are available with buy-now-pay-later options spread over 2 months.
A few standout options from the current range:
- Helsinki TV Stand White (R1,750) - 185cm wide, suits TVs up to 65", Scandinavian-inspired design with a sliding storage door, natural wood legs, and built-in cable management.
- Metz TV Unit White (R2,500) - 180cm wide, suits TVs up to 65", low-profile modern design with centred open shelves and side cupboards to keep things clutter-free.
- TV Unit Liberty Oak/Off-White (R2,995) - 160cm wide, vintage-style metallic hairpin legs and a generous 50mm top surface. Suits TVs up to 65" and adds character to contemporary and eclectic interiors.
- Sammy TV Stand (R1,500) - 150cm wide, suits TVs up to 55", four open shelves and ABS legs. A clean and affordable option for smaller living rooms and bedrooms.
Browse the full TV unit range at clickfurniture.co.za
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right TV unit comes down to four things: the right size for your television, the right height for comfortable viewing, the right style for your interior, and the right storage to keep the space tidy. Get those four things right and the rest of the room tends to fall into place around it.
Take the time to measure your space, think about how you actually use your living room, and prioritise cable management from the start - it is far easier to choose a unit with built-in routing holes than to untangle a cable nest six months after it is all set up.
If you have any questions about which TV unit is right for your space, the team at Click Furniture is happy to help.
Sources: Belleze Furniture Size Guide, Living Spaces TV Stand Guide, Timbur Furniture Wall-Mounted vs Freestanding Guide, ServiceLink SA Wall Mount vs TV Stand Guide, House and Garden South Africa (Cable Hiding Tips), Fitueyes TV Stand Materials Guide, Grand View Research Entertainment Furniture Market Data.
