Transform your lounge with tailored, built in wall units that organise tech, hide clutter and add value. Joyce Kitchens designs and installs modern living room built in wall units across Perth and WA, with craftsmanship that matches our award-winning kitchen renovations.
Why living room built in wall units are worth it
Built in wall units turn a blank wall into functional furniture. Whether you call them media walls, TV cabinetry or built in lounge wall units, they’re perfect for open-plan homes where the kitchen, dining and lounge flow together.
- Streamlined storage for gaming gear, sound bars, NBN gear and cables
- Custom sizing to suit Australian TVs (55–85”) and sound systems
- Seamless integration with adjoining kitchen finishes, like a matching engineered stone benchtop or timber veneer accent
- Better use of space than freestanding units; built to ceiling height for maximum storage
- Increases perceived quality and buyer appeal at resale
Design considerations and layouts
To fully satisfy your brief, we design around how you live. Here’s what our Perth designers consider for modern living room built in wall units:
Layout essentials
- TV niche width and height: ensure ventilation for devices and room for future upgrades
- Speaker and subwoofer locations; hidden cable routes and IR/remote access
- Joinery depth (typically 400–500 mm) for AV equipment and record/display storage
- Balanced open shelves vs. closed doors to reduce dust and visual clutter
- LED strip lighting for ambience and task illumination
Open-plan coherence
In many Perth homes, the lounge faces the kitchen. We often continue a kitchen’s palette—think a shaker kitchen profile, two-pack paint, or timber accents—into the living room built in wall units for a cohesive look across living, scullery pantry entry points, and even nearby mudroom or hallway cabinetry.
Practical hardware and power
- Soft-close drawers and quality hinges for daily use
- Ventilated cabinets for amplifiers and gaming consoles
- Integrated power and USB-C within cupboards to hide chargers
- Wall fixing engineered to suit your wall type (stud, brick, or framed) and loads in line with AS/NZS guidance
Our renovation process (Perth & WA)
- Consultation: In-home or at our showroom to map your needs, style and budget.
- Measure & site check: Confirm wall type, stud locations, power, and ventilation.
- Design & 3D visuals: Layout, elevations and finishes aligned to your home.
- Selections: Doors, benchtop or top surfaces, hardware and lighting.
- Fixed quote: Transparent pricing, including any electrical or building works.
- Manufacture in WA: Precision-made custom cabinetry WA homeowners trust.
- Installation: Experienced cabinet makers install to relevant AS/NZS standards.
- Aftercare: Guidance on cleaning, adjustments and warranty support.
If your project includes kitchen renovations Perth, wardrobes, laundry renovation or bathroom cabinetry, we sequence everything to reduce downtime and keep finishes consistent.
Materials and finishes for built in wall units
Choose materials for durability, maintenance and style—especially in bright, warm WA homes.
Cabinet doors and panels
- Two-pack paint in matte or satin for premium colour and a crisp, handleless cabinetry look
- Melamine cabinets for robust, value-driven performance in family homes
- Timber veneer or feature slats to add warmth and texture
Open shelving and tops
- Laminate tops and shelves for cost-effective style and easy care
- Porcelain/ultra-compact surfaces for superior heat and UV resistance in sunny rooms
- Timber accents for a coastal or Hamptons vibe
Standards and guidance: We build to cabinetry best practice and relevant Australian Standards (e.g., AS/NZS 4386 for domestic joinery assemblies and load considerations referencing AS/NZS 1170.1 for shelving). For industry guidance, see HIA and Master Builders WA.
References:
Safe Work Australia,
HIA,
Master Builders WA.
Benchtop surface comparison for living room tops and shelves
For display shelves or the low unit top beneath the TV, here’s a quick comparison. If you’re matching an adjacent kitchen island or splashback, we’ll guide you to a cohesive choice.
| Feature | Engineered Stone | Laminate |
|---|---|---|
| Look & feel | Stone-like patterns and depth | Wide range of colours/woodgrains; realistic textures |
| Durability & heat | Durable; heat resistant to a point (coasters recommended) | Durable for everyday use; avoid direct heat from appliances |
| Maintenance | Low maintenance; non-porous | Low maintenance; easy to clean |
| Typical WA cost (supply & install) | Restricted/banned in AU; opt for porcelain/ultra-compact or natural stone instead | $250–$450 per linear metre (profile dependent) |
| Best use in living rooms | Now replaced by porcelain or natural stone for tops and feature shelves | Great value for cabinet tops and floating shelves |
Note: Due to Australian regulations affecting engineered stone, we commonly specify porcelain (sintered stone) for a premium, heat- and UV-stable alternative, or laminate for excellent value.
Popular styles in Perth
- Minimalist and handleless: Flat fronts, push-to-open, integrated shadowlines
- Shaker and Hamptons: Framed doors, soft whites, timber tops, coastal tones
- Contemporary with texture: Timber veneer, ribbed panels, floating shelves and concealed LED lighting
- Industrial: Charcoal matt finishes with timber accents and black hardware
What do modern living room built in wall units cost in WA?
Every project is custom, but these Perth ballparks help with planning:
- Entry to mid-range: $4,500–$12,000 — melamine doors, laminate tops, LED strips, soft-close drawers
- Premium: $12,000–$25,000+ — two-pack paint, timber veneer features, porcelain tops, extensive lighting and cable management
- Options: Electric fireplace integration ($2,500–$6,000+ incl. make-good), TV lift mechanisms ($2,000–$4,000), electrical and data ($600–$2,000)
Combining with kitchen renovations Perth, wardrobes Perth or a laundry renovation can create economies of scale and a unified finish throughout your home.
Real-world Perth examples
Cottesloe coastal refresh
We carried a white shaker kitchen profile into the lounge with a low, built in wall unit, timber top and floating shelves. The media wall hides speakers and NBN with ventilated panels; soft-close drawers store kids’ games.
Mount Lawley character home
A heritage home with high ceilings called for two-pack doors in a muted green, ribbed timber detail and a porcelain top that continued from the kitchen island. The living room built in wall unit frames an 85” TV without dominating the room.
Pre-design checklist
- TV size now and possible future upgrade (measure width/height)
- List AV devices (console, amp, set-top box, subwoofer) and ventilation needs
- Storage mix: open display vs. closed cupboards and soft-close drawers
- Preferred style: minimalist, shaker/Hamptons, or textured contemporary
- Finish durability: kids/pets, sun exposure, cleaning ease
- Lighting: warm LED strips, dimmers, sensor lighting inside cupboards
- Power/data: extra GPOs, cable routes, charging drawers with USB-C
- Budget range and timing; align with any kitchen, laundry or wardrobe updates
Why choose Joyce Kitchens
- End-to-end design, manufacture and install in WA
- Joinery quality trusted in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, wardrobes and living spaces
- Designs that respect Australian Standards and local site conditions
- Showroom selections with guidance on colours, textures and hardware
Ready to plan your living room built in wall units? Book a design consultation and see how we can coordinate your lounge, kitchen and whole-of-home cabinetry for a cohesive, modern result.
FAQ
What does a modern living room built in wall unit cost in Perth?
Most custom units range from $4,500–$12,000 for mid-range finishes, and $12,000–$25,000+ for premium two-pack, veneer and porcelain tops. Size, lighting, electrical and features like fireplaces or TV lifts affect price.
Can you integrate a fireplace or large TV into built in lounge wall units?
Yes. We design clearances and non-combustible panels for electric fireplaces and frame TV niches for 55–85” screens, with ventilation, cable management and removable panels for service access.
Which materials are best for Australian conditions?
For doors, two-pack or premium melamine works well. For tops and shelves, we recommend laminate for value or porcelain/ultra-compact surfaces for heat and UV stability. Timber veneer adds warmth; we seal it for durability.
How long does a custom unit take from design to install?
Allow 4–8 weeks depending on design complexity and finish selection. This includes design sign-off, WA manufacture and professional installation, plus any electrical works.
Do built in wall units add resale value?
Quality built in cabinetry improves first impressions, adds storage and helps open-plan spaces feel resolved—benefits that typically increase buyer appeal and perceived value.