1. Which wall
Choose the wall your seating faces, and check for glare from windows at different times of day. Then check what's already in or on the wall: radiators, sockets, a chimney breast or an old fireplace. All of these can be worked around, but they change the design.
2. TV size and height
The most common mistake is mounting the TV too high. As a rule of thumb, the middle of the screen should sit roughly at eye level when you're sitting down. Measure from your sofa to the wall, and tell us the exact TV model and bracket, because the recess and the fixings are built around them.
3. The fire
Electric inset fires come in many widths and depths, with and without heat. Choose the model before anything is built, because the opening is made to its measurements. Read the manual for how much space it needs around and above it, because that affects how high the TV can go.
4. How deep the wall will be
A media wall is a new wall built in front of the old one. Its depth is set mainly by the fire and by how far you want the TV recessed. Deeper walls give you more options but take more floor space, so it's worth seeing the depth marked on the floor before deciding.
5. Shelves, niches and storage
Lit display niches either side, floating shelves, or closed cupboards for the router, games console and remote controls. Consoles and set-top boxes get warm, so anything closed in needs some airflow.
6. Lighting
LED strips can go in the niches, behind the TV, along shelves or under a floating plinth. Decide on warm white or colour, whether you want them dimmable, and how they'll be switched, because the cables are run before the boards go on.
7. Sockets and cables
List everything that needs power or a cable: TV, fire, soundbar, router, console, set-top box, lighting. Sockets and TV points are then placed where they'll be hidden. Think about the future too. Planning a route for a new cable now means swapping the TV later doesn't involve cutting into a finished wall.
8. The finish
Because our media walls are fully plastered, you can paint them any colour and change it later. On top of that you can add oak or painted slat panels, stone-effect panels, an arch or a contrasting colour inside the niches.
Got a photo of the media wall you like? Send it to Amir on WhatsApp with a photo of your own wall and the TV size. He'll tell you what fits your room and what's involved.
How long it takes, and what it costs
Most of the time goes on building the frame and plastering, and fresh plaster has to dry before it's painted. The price depends on the size, the fire and the finishes you choose. You'll get a clear price and timescale after Amir has measured the room. Quotes are free.