Media walls allow you the flexibility to design a multi-functional, eye-catching space to showcase your style. Whether you’re wanting to keep up with trends or fancy a new look for your living space, media walls are a great addition to any home.
Their primary purpose is to allow you to set your TV and media equipment within part of your existing wall. Not only can they demonstrate striking designs, but they can also be utilised for storage and to display your favourite pieces. Stand out trends for 2023 include bold colour, stone finish to surfaces, statement lighting and the addition of a fireplace. Whether you have a clear vision for your media wall or need some inspiration, let Canterbury Fireplaces support you with our knowledge and expertise. Make the most of a free media wall design service today.
Where should I put my media wall?
Due to their design, media walls can be utilised for a variety of spaces such as living rooms, bedrooms, playrooms and games rooms. The ideal size for a media wall is dependent on the space available. Larger displays will allow for an engaging and immersive viewing experience. In a smaller area, media walls can be used to combat clutter with their ability to utilise vertical wall space- allowing even the busiest of rooms to look sleek and organised.
What do I need to consider when planning a media wall?
When planning for your media wall, there are factors to consider:
Your room’s proportion will impact the look of your media wall, and this should be considered when planning. Utilise Canterbury Fireplaces’ offer of a free media wall design service to allow you to visualise your media wall and make any adjustments.
The typical depth for a media wall with a fireplace is between 20 and 24 inches (to allow for cables, wiring, media and a fireplace).
Freestanding speakers will give better sound quality compared to a sound bar but will require more space.
In order to gain the benefit of both fire and TV, it is recommended to place your media wall in a central position.
How many electrical devices will your media wall need? Will you have enough plug sockets to support this? These can be added by a certified electrician, if needed.
When considering how to display/store your media equipment, be mindful that ventilation for such will need to be planned for. Allowing enough airflow will not only ensure that your equipment is stored safely, but it will also support its lifespan.
Remember that you may need to change your media – if this is the case, are you easily able to switch out your TV and other equipment?
Ensure that fires are fitted by accredited installers such as those from Canterbury Fireplaces.
What can be featured on a media wall?
From additional shelving to display your most loved possessions to hide-away storage for those unsightly game boxes, media walls can be personalised to suit your style and needs. Dependent on your fireplace, you may decide on keeping a log store on hand for cosy nights in. For a modern twist, LED lighting can be added to enhance your media wall. Colour-changing LED tape can be fixed around panelling and housed in extrusions to diffuse reflective light. A handheld remote is then used to alternate the light colour and pattern.
The key focus of most media walls is the TV, with connecting games consoles and such. When planning for the size of your TV/ media ensure that regardless of their position, people can view your media with ease.
Benefits of a media wall:
Through modern technology, media walls can improve the aesthetics of a room by using TV and media alike to display artwork or images to complement existing décor.
With the option of a gas or electric fireplace, a media wall fireplace can be positioned in any spot in the house without the need for a chimney.
Media walls can accommodate larger screens.
Freestanding speakers can create high quality surround sound.
By utilising vertical wall space, media walls can allow for a sleek and organised area with the storage they can provide.
Due to their flexible design and adjustable lighting, media walls can be used day and night.
What type of fire can I have on a media wall?
When choosing a fireplace for your media wall, consider a fire’s fuel type and physical specification. Due to the construction of a media wall (typically, a wooden frame covered in plasterboard) not all fireplaces are suitable.
Should I use an electric fireplace for my media wall?
Compared to gas and solid fuel fireplaces, electric fireplaces are the fire of choice for media walls. Flames on display are artificial (created with mirrors and LED light to create an illusion) and these fires will typically contain either a fan-forced or infrared heater. Fan-forced heaters are used for rooms up to 400 square feet. A blower is used to draw cool air into the fire which is then pulled over a heating component. After the air has been drawn over this element, it becomes warm and is then blown out of the fireplace to heat up an area. This helps to protect media situated above the fireplace, since this hot air is not drawn upwards. Infrared heaters (for rooms up to 1000 square feet) use a quartz tube heater to create heat, which is then radiated into the room. As a result of this, they produce heat quicker than fan-forced electric fireplaces.
Benefits of electric fires:
When front facing, they can radiate heat outwards- protecting your media from heat damage.
Electric fireplaces are cooler to the touch in comparison to conventional fireplaces, making them a somewhat safer alternative.
They can be embedded into a media wall easily for an effective look.
Lighting and images can be customised to suit any mood and living space.
Minimal maintenance is required since there are no physical flames.
LED lights within electric fireplaces are designed to last, meaning there will be no need for frequent bulb changing.
Other than regular dusting, there are no cleaning requirements.
Thermostatic controls allow you to monitor and regulate your heating.
Timer modes can add to safety and help reduce energy usage.
Below are just a few examples of the stunning electric fireplaces in our range.
In contrast to electric fireplaces, gas fires need to be attached to your domestic gas supply by a registered professional. All installers from Canterbury Fireplaces are Gas safe and HETAS registered.
Do I need a registered installer to fit my fireplace?
Due to their popularity and striking impact, there are many people trying their hand at building a media wall. However, it is important to remember that a fire always needs to be installed by a professional who is not only knowledgeable on the installation process but can also advise on the structure of a surrounding frame. If you choose a gas fire, it is key that a proper mantel/alcove is built above the fire to ensure that any heat produced is directed away from the media higher up.
Following choosing between a gas or electric fireplace, you also need to decide between a hole in the wall fireplace or a wall mounted fireplace. Both types of fire can be used within a media wall, yet they have different installation processes:
A hole in the wall fireplace is embedded into the wall, creating a sleek finish.
A wall mounted fireplace is installed onto the outside of the wall. Although still impactful, they are not integrated into the wall which can take away from the overall appearance. Remember that fires need to be fitted by registered installers, such as those from Canterbury Fireplaces.
If you have a chimney breast already then it is typically easier to fit a fireplace and then install a TV above. The beauty of an existing chimney breast is that the alcove is already there. Additional shelving can then be fitting on the surrounding wall.
With new builds and younger properties, you will most likely have to create a media wall using a stud wall, as there will be no existing chimney in place to build from. If plug sockets are already in place, and if you’re DIY savvy, you may feel confident in building a timber base frame in studwork around your fireplace. Whilst planning your frame, account for alcoves to house your media and fireplace. This should then fit to the wall in a similar way that a chimney breast would. Once the frame is installed, it can then be clad in either MDF and painted or finished with plasterboard and skimmed.
get in touch with Canterbury Fireplaces for advice & support.
With their adaptable design, media walls have the versatility to fit into any area. Large or small, they can transform your space into the perfect spot for film night, gaming parties or family gatherings. However, no media wall is complete without the addition of a show-stopping fireplace. To view our gorgeous fires in person, visit our showroom in Blackburn. Alternatively, buy online. For any queries or professional guidance, contact us at [email protected] or call us on 01254 682574.
