Media wall with smart moodlighting
Bespoke media wall with smart mood lighting and illuminated display shelving
Media wall under construction showing bespoke stud framework and TV recess
Bespoke media wall with smart mood lighting and illuminated display shelving
Current trend or longstanding style?
Bespoke media walls have grown hugely in popularity over recent years and, I have to admit, I'm a fan. Available in countless styles and configurations, they have become an instantly recognisable feature in many modern homes.
Compared with some media walls, this is actually a relatively simple design, but that was exactly what the client wanted from the outset. The aim was simply to create a clean, contemporary media wall that looked as though it had always been part of the living room, while incorporating all of the features the client wanted.
Built around the room
Although media walls are generally constructed using timber studwork before being finished with either plasterboard or MDF, there is no single right approach. Both materials have their advantages, and the best choice is always determined by the requirements of the individual project.
Spanning five metres, the wall was designed around an 86-inch television, creating a balanced feature that sits comfortably within the proportions of the room rather than overwhelming it.
The six illuminated display niches and recessed shelving frame the television and provide space for artwork and decorative pieces, ensuring the wall remains just as interesting when the television isn't in use.
Choosing the right materials
One of the key decisions during construction was to line the display niches with MDF rather than plaster.
The dimensions of the soundbar recess made achieving a flawless skim coat particularly difficult, while the close proximity of the recessed downlights would have made even the smallest imperfections in the plasterwork far more noticeable once illuminated.
Using MDF allowed crisp, accurate edges to be achieved throughout the niches while maintaining the clean contemporary appearance the client wanted.
To add further definition, the rear panels of all six niches were finished with a textured, wavy acrylic panel, introducing subtle depth without distracting from the items displayed within them.
Philips Hue smart lighting makes the difference
Lighting is always one of the most important elements of projects like this, and great care was taken to create a solution that offered complete flexibility for different moods and occasions.
Each of the six display niches is illuminated using white-bezel housings fitted with dimmable GU10 lamps, all controlled through the home's smart lighting system.
Behind the television, a full-perimeter LED lighting system creates a soft halo around the screen. It can mirror the colours displayed on the television using Philips Hue Sync or simply be set to any colour and brightness to suit the room and the occasion.
The result is a room that can feel bright and contemporary during the day, then completely different in the evening as the lighting transforms the atmosphere for relaxing, entertaining or settling down to watch a film.
Designed to stand the test of time
The most successful media walls never feel like furniture that has simply been added afterwards.
Instead, they become an integral part of the room's design.
By combining carefully considered proportions, concealed technology and flexible smart lighting, this installation creates a contemporary feature that feels just as relevant today as it will in years to come.
It is a relatively simple media wall compared with some, but that simplicity is exactly what gives it its timeless appeal.
If you're interested in integrating lighting and technology into bespoke furniture, you may also like our Custom Mood Lighting Project, Media Centre with Smart Mood Lighting, and Breakfast Bar Sonos Subwoofer Housing, which showcase different approaches to combining technology with handcrafted joinery.
Do you have a bespoke project you'd like to discuss?
Whether you want somewhere to enjoy films, display artwork or simply create a cleaner, more contemporary living space, every media wall can be designed around the way you use your home.
If you're planning a bespoke media wall in Stourbridge, Solihull or elsewhere across the West Midlands, I'd be happy to discuss how a design can be tailored to your room and the way you use it.