When I set up my first apartment living room, the media console ended up dictating where everything else could go.
Open shelving helped me keep things organized without closing off the space, but only after I figured out which items actually belonged on display.
Layout matters more than most people expect.
It took me a few tries to realize that balancing the height of the console with the shelves above it made the whole room feel more settled instead of scattered.
In the end, these choices turned a basic room into one I actually wanted to spend time in after work.
Open Shelving Above The Media Console
Many living rooms feel more put together when open shelving sits right above the media console. It turns the whole wall into usable storage without adding extra furniture that crowds the floor. You get space for records, books, and gear while the TV stays at the right height.
This works best in apartments or smaller homes where every wall needs to earn its keep. Keep the shelves somewhat organized so the area does not start to look messy. Stick with a console that has drawers or doors below for the things you want out of sight.
Open Shelving Around A Media Console
One idea that works well for a lot of bachelor living rooms is adding open shelving right beside the media console. The shelves create display space without crowding the room, while the console keeps the TV and main storage in one clean line. Built-in lighting helps the shelves stay useful after dark.
This works best in rooms where you want storage that feels light rather than heavy. Use a few baskets on the lower level for things you reach often and keep the upper shelves simple with just a couple of items. It gives the space function without making it feel cluttered.
Built-In Media Storage With Open Shelving
Built-in cabinetry below the TV paired with open shelves above gives a living room clean storage without eating up floor space. It keeps remotes, game consoles, and extra books out of sight while still letting you display a few things you actually like.
This works best in smaller apartments or open layouts where you want the TV area to feel organized but not heavy. Keep the lower cabinets simple and painted to match the wall, then use the upper shelves for books and a couple of plants so the wall stays light.
Add Floating Shelves Above The Media Console
Many living rooms end up with too much stuff on the floor around the TV. Floating shelves give you room to store and show a few things without crowding the console or making the space feel smaller.
This works best in apartments or smaller rooms where floor space matters. Keep the shelves fairly narrow and space out what you put on them so the wall stays simple and easy to clean.
Float A Media Console Under Open Shelves
A floating media console paired with open shelves above gives you storage and display space without crowding the floor. The console keeps the TV at a comfortable height and hides cables, while the shelves hold books and a few objects without making the wall feel heavy.
This works best in apartments or smaller living rooms where you need function but want the space to stay open. Keep the console and shelves in similar tones so they read as one clean unit rather than separate pieces fighting for attention.
Add Open Shelving Over The Media Console
Many guys set up their living room around the TV first, then look for a way to handle the rest of the stuff without making the space feel crowded. Open shelves above the console give you room to store and show smaller items while the console itself keeps the bigger electronics in one spot.
This works best in apartments or smaller rooms where floor space is limited. Keep heavier pieces on the console and use the shelves for lighter things like framed photos or collectibles so the wall stays balanced and easy to dust.
Open Shelving With Media Consoles
Open shelving above a media console gives you room to store and show things without crowding the wall. It keeps the TV area from feeling too heavy while still offering plenty of space for books, small decor, and everyday items you reach for often.
This setup works especially well in living rooms where you want storage that stays flexible. Use the lower console for electronics and hidden items, then keep the shelves lighter with a mix of books and a few pieces you actually like looking at. Just watch the height so the shelves do not block the screen or make the room feel boxed in.
Media Console and Open Shelving Work Well Together
A media console paired with open shelving gives you a clean way to handle both electronics and display items in one area. The console keeps the turntable and speakers at a good height while the shelves above handle books and smaller pieces without crowding the floor.
This setup suits smaller living rooms where you need storage that stays visible but not heavy. Place the shelving unit right beside the console so the two pieces read as one unit and leave the rest of the room open for seating.
Open Shelving With A Media Console
Open shelving next to a media console gives you a simple way to store movies, games, and small items without adding more closed cabinets. It keeps everything visible and easy to reach while the console below handles the larger electronics and keeps wires out of sight.
This approach works best in smaller living rooms where floor space is limited. It suits apartments or homes where you want quick access to your collection but still need the room to feel put together rather than cluttered.
Media Console With Built-In Shelving
A media console works better when it sits next to some open shelving. The setup keeps the TV area from looking flat and gives you places to store or display things without adding extra furniture. It also keeps the room feeling open since nothing blocks the wall.
This works well in smaller living rooms or apartments where you need storage but do not want everything closed off. Keep the shelves light so they do not crowd the space, and use baskets or bins below the console for items you want out of sight.
Open Shelving Above The Media Console
A media console paired with floating shelves above it gives you storage and display space without crowding the floor. This keeps the room feeling open while still giving a place for the TV, books, and a few simple items.
It works best in smaller living rooms or when you want a clean look that stays practical. Keep the console low and long for hidden storage, then use the shelves for things you reach for often.
Media Consoles With Open Shelving Above
A media console topped with open shelving gives you both storage and display space in one spot. It keeps the TV and stereo gear organized below while letting you show off records, plants, and smaller items up top. This setup works especially well in smaller living rooms where you want one wall to handle most of the function.
Place the console at a height that lines up with your seating, then use the shelves for things you actually reach for or like to see. It suits apartments and houses where the living room doubles as the main hangout space. Just watch the weight on the shelves and leave a little breathing room so the wall does not feel crowded.
Open Shelving On Either Side Of The Media Console
Many living rooms gain a lot from open shelving set on both sides of the media console. It adds storage and display space without crowding the floor or forcing a second cabinet somewhere else.
This works best in apartments or smaller rooms where the console already handles the TV. Keep the shelves from getting too packed so the wall stays open and the console remains the main focus.
Pair A Media Console With Open Shelving
A low media console paired with a tall open shelving unit keeps the TV at the right height while giving you plenty of room for books, binders, and smaller items above. This combination works because it adds storage without crowding the floor or making the room feel closed in.
It fits best in living rooms that need to handle both media gear and everyday clutter. Keep the console simple and let the shelves handle the rest so the space stays practical without looking overly styled.
Low Media Consoles Keep Storage Simple
A low media console with open shelves makes sense when you want to keep your equipment handy without building a big cabinet. It leaves the floor clear and stops the room from feeling boxed in by closed storage.
This works best in apartments or smaller living rooms where you need quick access to remotes and devices. Set the console under the TV, leave room on each side for speakers, and keep the shelves for just the boxes you use most.
Built In Media Consoles With Open Shelving
A long built in media console paired with open shelving above gives a living room steady storage without crowding the floor. The lower cabinets hide electronics and smaller items while the shelves keep a few books and plants in view, which helps the space feel put together rather than bare.
This approach works best in apartments or smaller homes where wall space is limited and you still need room for a TV and seating. Keep the shelves from getting too full so the look stays simple and easy to maintain.
Mount Open Shelving Above A Media Console
Many rooms feel more organized when the media console stays low and simple while open shelves run across the wall above it. This keeps the turntable and speakers at a good height without taking up floor space, and the shelves hold books or smaller items that would otherwise pile up.
It works well in apartments or smaller living areas where you need both hidden storage and easy access. Match the shelf length to the console so the two pieces read as one unit, and leave a little breathing room between objects so the wall does not feel crowded.
Pair Media Consoles with Open Shelving
A long media console works better when you add open shelving on one side. The shelves give you room to display a few things while the console keeps all the gear and cables out of sight below. This setup feels practical in smaller living rooms that need to handle both storage and a bit of personality.
It suits apartments or homes where the TV area has to double as the main focal point. Use simple lighting inside the shelves so the space stays usable at night without feeling too bright. Stick to a few items on display and let the rest stay tucked away in the lower cabinets.
Media Console With Open Shelving
A low media console under the TV keeps the screen at a good height while giving you drawers for remotes and cables. Adding a tall open shelving unit right next to it turns the whole wall into useful storage without closing the room in.
This works best in smaller living rooms or apartments where you need both display space and hidden storage. Stick to a simple console in wood tones and leave some empty spots on the shelves so the setup does not feel heavy.
Combine a Media Console with Open Shelving
A low media console paired with tall open shelving keeps a living room functional without crowding the floor. The console holds the TV and a few electronics while the shelves above and beside it handle books, boxes, and smaller items in one clean line.
This approach suits smaller apartments or rooms where storage has to stay simple and reachable. Keep the console at a standard height so it lines up with seating, then use the shelves to fill the wall without adding more bulky furniture.
Combine Media Consoles With Open Shelving
Open shelving placed above a media console gives you a practical way to store and show off books, records, and a turntable without adding extra furniture. The setup keeps everything in one zone so the rest of the room stays open and easy to move around.
This works best in smaller living rooms where floor space is limited. Use the closed console for items you want out of sight and the shelves for things you reach for often, like records or a few favorite books.
Open Shelving Around A Media Console
A media console paired with open shelving on both sides gives you storage and display space without crowding the room. The shelves keep books, plants, and smaller items visible but organized, while the long console below handles the bigger electronics and hides cords.
This setup works best in living rooms where the TV is the main focus. It suits smaller spaces or apartments because it uses the wall efficiently and avoids the need for extra cabinets or bookcases.
Media Console with Open Shelving
A floating media console keeps the lower part of the wall clear and gives you hidden storage for remotes, cables, and small electronics. Adding open shelves above it creates display space without needing extra furniture or tall cabinets that can make a room feel smaller.
This setup works well in apartments or smaller living rooms where you want the TV to stay central but still need room for a few books and simple objects. The shelves can stay lightly styled so the area does not look cluttered, and the console hides the messier items below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I keep cables from turning my open shelves into a mess? A: Tuck power strips behind the media console and run cords straight down the wall before they reach any shelves. Clip them in place with small adhesive holders so nothing hangs out in front.
Q: What belongs on the shelves if I want the space to feel like mine without going overboard? A: Mix in a stack of books you actually read, one or two plants that survive on low light, and a couple of framed photos. Skip anything that just fills space.
Q: Does the media console need to line up exactly with the shelves above it? A: Center the console under the main TV spot first. Let the shelves run a bit wider so the whole wall feels balanced instead of boxed in.
