The Corner Solution: How to Reclaim Your

 Lounge with Smart Layouts

Let’s be honest, British living rooms can be a bit tricky. Whether you’re in a Victorian terrace with those charming (but awkward) alcoves or a modern new build where the "lounge" is more of a snug, square footage is often at a premium. We all want that massive telly for cinema nights, but we also want room to actually walk past the sofa without shins colliding with furniture.

I reckon the television is often the biggest culprit when it comes to eating up floor space. We tend to plonk it right in the centre of the longest wall, which dictates where everything else has to go. But there is a smarter way to handle this.

Shifting your focus to the corner can completely change the dynamic of a room. It opens up the central floor area, creates better flow, and stops the TV from looking like a black hole dominating the space. Here is my take on why a proper corner tv unit might just be the saviour your flat needs.

Why the Corner? (The Geometry of Space)

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Just shove the telly in the corner. But it’s actually about reclaiming "dead space". Corners are notoriously hard to style. Put a plant there, and it dies from lack of light. Put a lamp there, and it looks lonely.

By positioning your entertainment centre in the junction of two walls, you are utilising an area that usually serves no purpose. This frees up your flat walls for things that actually need them—like a three-seater sofa, a bookshelf, or even just some nice artwork that isn’t fighting for attention with a 50-inch screen.

It also solves the viewing angle issue. If you have an L-shaped sofa or a couple of armchairs, a central TV can leave one person with a stiff neck. A corner placement naturally faces into the room, giving everyone a decent view. It’s a brilliant way to make a room feel more social when the TV is off, too.

Choosing the Right Unit for the Job

Gone are the days when corner units were chunky, oak monstrosities with glass doors that rattled every time a lorry went past. Modern design has caught up. The goal now is to look sleek and intentional, rather than like a compromise.

If you are tight on space, you want something that cuts back neatly without imposing on the room. For a contemporary look, the Thales Corner Modern TV Stand Multimedia Centre Corner 110cm is a lovely option. It’s designed specifically to slot into that 90-degree angle, maximizing the depth where the walls meet while keeping the front profile tidy.

When shopping for a corner tv unit, pay attention to the footprint. You don’t want the unit poking out too far into the room, or you defeat the object of saving space. Measure from the corner point outwards along the wall, not just the width across the front. It saves a lot of hassle when the delivery arrives.

Styling the Layout

Once the TV is sorted, the rest of the furniture needs to play along. Since you’ve freed up the centre of the room, you don’t want to clutter it back up immediately with a massive, blocky table.

I’m a big fan of furniture that works hard for its living. If you’ve gone for a corner setup to save space, consider pairing it with nesting tables. They are proper useful because you can spread them out when guests are over for tea (or wine), and stack them away when you need the floor for yoga—or just for the dog to sprawl out.

Something like the Nesty Modern Coffee Table 3 Pieces works a treat here. The visually light structure stops the room from feeling heavy, which is exactly the vibe we are going for. It keeps the eyeline clear and complements the angular nature of a corner setup.

Managing the Tech Spaghetti

The one downside to corners? They can become a graveyard for cables. Because the unit sits deep into the angle, getting behind it to fiddle with the router or the HDMI cables can be a faff once it’s all set up.

My advice is to sort your cabling before you push the unit back. Use velcro ties—they are a life saver. Also, consider where the sockets are. In many older British homes, the sockets are smack in the middle of the wall, not the corner. You might need a decent extension lead with surge protection tucked neatly behind the unit.

To be fair, a good corner tv unit will have some shelving or cupboards. Use them to hide the unsightly bits. The console, the digibox, and that random collection of remote controls can all live in the unit, leaving the top surface clear for the TV and maybe a small plant (a succulent is usually a safe bet).

Does It Have to Be a "Corner" Unit?

Here is a little industry secret: you don’t strictly have to buy a unit shaped like a triangle. You can angle a standard rectangular unit across a corner, provided it isn’t too long. However, you do end up with a triangular gap of wasted space behind the TV.

If you have a larger room, this can look quite editorial and cool. But if every inch counts, stick to the purpose-built designs. They are engineered to sit flush and give you that streamlined look.

Have a browse through our corner units collection if you’re unsure which shape fits your nook best. Sometimes seeing the dimensions helps visualise the change.

Final Thoughts

Redesigning your lounge layout doesn't require a builder or a sledgehammer. Sometimes, it just requires looking at the room from a different angle—literally. By moving the focal point to the corner, you create a space that feels airier, larger, and just a bit more sorted.

It’s about making the room work for you, not the other way around. So, grab a tape measure, check those corners, and see how much space you can reclaim. You might be surprised at how much bigger your lounge feels.

FAQ

Q: Can I put a large TV on a corner unit?
Yes, but check the width of the stand versus the width of the TV stand's feet. The screen can overhang the unit slightly at the sides, as long as the base is secure and it doesn't look top-heavy.

Q: How do I stop glare from windows when the TV is in the corner?
Corners can sometimes catch light from two different windows. The best fix is adjustable blinds or positioning the TV unit in the corner furthest from the main window source.

Q: Do curved TVs work better in corners?
They can do, as the curve mimics the room's corner shape slightly. However, a standard flat screen works perfectly fine on a designated corner tv unit and is usually more cost-effective.