Case Study
Elegant Shaker Media Wall with Panoramic Electric Fire in London
This elegant bespoke media wall in London combines traditional Shaker-style cabinetry with a contemporary panoramic electric fire, integrated LED lighting and decorative wall panelling. Designed to run the full width of the wall, the cabinetry creates a beautifully balanced fitted furniture look, while a central open section allows the Avanti 150RW electric fire to be viewed from the front and through both sides. The result is a sophisticated media wall that combines practical storage with carefully considered details and a striking focal point.
Location
London
Room Type
6.6m length Livingroom with existing fireplace
Fire
Avanti 150RW Electric Fire
Key Features
Bespoke Shaker-style cupboards, panoramic electric fire, open-sided fire design, adjustable internal shelving, 25mm MDF worktop, three illuminated display shelves either side, integrated LED strip lighting and wood veneered decorative wall panelling.
What our client wanted
The aim was to create an elegant fitted media wall that would feel like a natural part of the room rather than simply a place to house a television and electric fire.
Storage was an important part of the design, with the cabinetry intended to extend across the wall and provide a combination of practical concealed storage and open display space.
The client also wanted the Avanti 150RW electric fire to become a focal point without enclosing it within a conventional fireplace surround. The solution was to create a central opening within the run of cabinetry, allowing the fire to sit within its own dedicated space while remaining open at both sides. This created a panoramic effect, allowing the flames to be appreciated not only from directly in front of the media wall but also through the open sides.
The design process
The design was developed around the proportions of the room, creating a continuous run of bespoke cabinetry with a carefully considered central opening for the electric fire.
Rather than making the fire the only focal point, the design uses a combination of traditional cabinetry, open shelving, lighting and wall panelling to create a cohesive piece of fitted furniture.
The design incorporated:
A full run of bespoke Shaker-style cabinetry across the lower section.
Eight Shaker-style cupboards, four either side of the electric fire.
One adjustable shelf inside each cupboard for flexible storage.
A 25mm MDF worktop running across the top of the lower cabinetry.
A dedicated central opening for the Avanti 150RW electric fire.
Open sides around the fire to maximise panoramic viewing.
Three open display shelves either side of the central section.
Integrated LED strip lighting within the shelving.
Decorative wood veneered panelling across the central section of the existing wall.
Carefully balanced proportions to create a symmetrical and elegant finished design.
The result is a media wall that feels more like a bespoke piece of furniture than a conventional built-in fireplace. The continuous cabinetry provides visual consistency across the wall, while the central opening introduces depth and gives the fire room to breathe.
Building the media wall
This project showcases the flexibility of a truly bespoke media wall, where the cabinetry, fire and architectural details can all be designed together.
The Shaker-style cupboards were constructed in our workshop ahead of build to provide practical concealed storage on either side of the fire. Each cupboard includes an adjustable internal shelf, allowing the storage to be adapted to suit different items.
A substantial 25mm MDF worktop was fitted across the top of the lower cabinetry, creating a clean horizontal line between the cupboards below and the open shelving above.
At the centre of the installation, the cabinetry opens up to create a dedicated space for the Avanti 150RW electric fire. Rather than boxing the fire in, the sides of this section remain open. This was an important design detail, as it allows the panoramic flames to remain visible from different angles and gives the fire a lighter, more contemporary appearance.
Three open shelves were installed on either side of the central section. LED strip lighting was integrated into the shelving to provide subtle illumination for decorative items and create a warm ambient glow in the evening.
The central section of the existing wall was then finished with decorative panelling, adding texture and definition behind the television and fire while tying the different elements of the media wall together.
Every component was designed and built as part of the same installation, ensuring the cabinetry, shelving, fire and panelling work together as one cohesive feature.
The Finished Media Wall
The completed media wall creates an elegant focal point while providing a significant amount of practical storage.
The full-width Shaker cabinetry gives the installation a classic, furniture-led feel, while the open shelving and integrated LED lighting add a contemporary touch.
At the centre, the Avanti 150RW electric fire provides the main focal point. The open central section is particularly effective, allowing the flames to be seen through both sides rather than restricting the view to directly in front of the fire.
The decorative wall panelling provides a subtle architectural backdrop, while the illuminated shelves create space for the client to add their own personality through artwork, accessories and decorative pieces.
The combination of traditional Shaker detailing, clean contemporary lines and panoramic fire viewing makes this a particularly elegant example of a bespoke media wall, while the plaster finish adds that always meant to be here vibe.
It demonstrates how a media wall can be designed around the way a room is actually used, combining television, heating, storage, display and lighting into one carefully considered piece of fitted furniture. Feeling inspired?
If you're considering a bespoke media wall for your home, our design service can help you explore the possibilities for your room, from the layout and cabinetry to electric fires, lighting, storage and finishing details.
