Fluted, or reeded, panels have become one of the most popular finishes for media walls. The vertical grooves catch the light, disguise small imperfections in the wall behind and give a plain room texture without adding colour. Combined with an inset electric fire, they turn a TV wall into the focal point of the room.
The example in the photo combines three elements: a long low unit with an inset fire, cupboards for storage and a full-height fluted cupboard that hides everyday clutter. Here is what to think about before you commission one.
Choose the fire first
The electric fire decides the size and construction of the cabinet. Every model comes with installation instructions that set out the recess size, the clearances above and around the fire and the ventilation it needs. We build the recess to the manufacturer’s figures, so choose the model before the drawings are finalised.
Things to check:
- Width and depth — wide letterbox fires need a long run of cabinetry and enough depth behind the glass.
- Heat output — some fires blow warm air from the front or top; keep TVs, speakers and shelves out of that path.
- Access — leave a way to reach the plug, controls and any serviceable parts.
TV position and heat
A TV directly above a fire is a common request, but the screen should not sit in warm airflow. Follow both the fire and the TV manufacturer’s guidance on clearances. Standing the TV on the cabinet top, as in the photo, or mounting it higher with a shelf in between are both workable — the right answer depends on the fire, the room and where you sit.
Fluted panels: finish and durability
Fluted fronts can be made in MDF and spray-painted in any colour, or faced in timber veneer for a warmer look. Painted MDF suits pale, modern schemes like this one; oak or walnut veneer suits richer interiors. Because grooves gather dust, a satin finish that wipes clean is a sensible choice for a living room.
Matching the fluting across doors and fixed panels is what makes the wall read as one piece — the grooves should line up from one door to the next.
Storage beside the media wall
Tall cupboards beside a media wall are especially useful in apartments and new builds with little built-in storage. They can hold coats, a vacuum cleaner, board games or a printer. In the photo, the tall unit fills the space beside the window and finishes neatly under the ceiling bulkhead.
Sockets, cables and controls
Plan sockets for the fire, the TV and the devices inside the cabinet, with room for chargers and network equipment. A pop-up socket in the worktop is handy for lamps and laptops. New circuits or moved sockets are a job for a registered electrician and should be completed before installation.
Getting a quote
To quote a fluted media wall we need the wall width and height, the fire model or the size you would like, your TV size and a photo of the room. See our built-in units and media walls page or read our ideas for a TV wall with floating shelves.
