Anthracite Lowboard — Visual Impact, Care & Combinations
An anthracite lowboard is a low-profile piece of furniture that creates visual depth in a room with its dark, charcoal-grey shade and serves as a sturdy base for TV and HiFi equipment.
The anthracite shade (often based on RAL 7016) provides a strong contrast against light walls, yet appears softer than pure black and absorbs less light. For home self-assembly, these units are usually made from melamine-coated chipboard or MDF, making them durable and easy to clean. This guide explains the key selection criteria, the correct dimensions for different room sizes, and practical tips for assembly.
Dimensions and Proportions: What Size Should the Lowboard Be?
Choosing the right width and height is essential for both the look of the room and everyday functionality. A TV screen should not visually overhang the edges of the unit. As a rule of thumb, the lowboard should be at least 10 cm to 15 cm wider than the television on both the left and right sides.
- Small rooms and alcoves: A Lowboard 140 cm is suitable for screens up to around 55 inches. It occupies little floor space and fits neatly into narrow wall sections.
- Medium to large living rooms: For screen sizes from 65 inches upwards, or if additional speakers are placed on top of the cabinet, a wider model is required.
- Long wall spaces: In open-plan layouts or across very long walls, a Lowboard 250 cm structures the space. It offers maximum storage capacity for receivers, games consoles, and cables.
The typical height of a lowboard is between 30 cm and 50 cm. This low profile ensures the screen sits at eye level when viewed from the sofa. The standard depth is 40 cm to 45 cm, providing ample room for standard AV receivers and wiring looms.
Material, Surface Finish, and Care
Anthracite surfaces are generally available in two finishes: matt or high gloss. Matt surfaces with a melamine resin coating are less prone to fingerprints and light reflections. High-gloss fronts reflect more light but require more frequent cleaning.
Dust is more readily visible on dark surfaces than on white furniture. A slightly damp microfibre cloth is all that is needed for cleaning. Avoid harsh cleaning agents or abrasive scourers, as these can leave micro-scratches in the decorative foil layer.
An anthracite cabinet acts like a picture mount for the television — framing the dark tech surface and blending the screen and furniture into a cohesive, understated unit.
Styling in the Room: Colours and Complementary Furniture
A room styled entirely in anthracite can quickly feel heavy. For this reason, pairing it with complementary materials and colours is vital.
- Wood decors: Combining anthracite with warm wood tones such as Wotan oak or Sonoma oak softens the dark grey. A popular option is an anthracite carcass paired with wood-effect fronts or a wooden top panel.
- Complementary furniture: To continue an industrial or contemporary aesthetic, the TV unit can be paired with an Anthracite Chest of Drawers in the same room.
- Details and hardware: The overall appearance can be defined by the handles. Furniture Handles Anthracite create a sleek, monochrome, tone-on-tone finish. Alternatively, handles in brushed stainless steel or leather add striking focal points.
DIY Tips: Assembly and Installation
Flat-pack furniture requires a systematic approach. To assemble TV Lowboards & TV Benches, you will generally need a cross-head screwdriver (usually PZ2), a small hammer for the back-panel nails, a spirit level, and ideally a cordless drill driver.
1. Carcass Assembly
Modern furniture kits primarily use cam lock connectors (Minifix) combined with wooden dowels for the carcass. Take care not to hammer the dowels in too deep to avoid breaking through the outer faces of the chipboard. The cam is tightened with a half-turn clockwise until it firmly locks into place.
2. Drawer Runners and Drawers
Many lowboards feature drawers for accessories. These generally utilise side-mounted ball bearing runners or concealed undermount drawer runners. Follow the supplied instructions carefully: a full-extension runner pulls out completely, whereas a single-extension runner leaves the rear quarter inside the carcass. The runners are secured into the pre-drilled system holes using short Euro screws (typically 5 mm x 13 mm).
3. Back Panel and Cable Management
A classic Hifi Lowboard requires neat routing for cables. The back panel (usually a thin HDF board) is either slid into a groove or nailed on from behind. Before securing the back panel, check the diagonal measurements of the carcass with a tape measure. If both diagonals are identical (e.g. 145.5 cm), the cabinet is perfectly square. Make use of pre-cut cable outlets or drill your own openings for mains plugs using a Forstner bit (e.g. Ø 60 mm).
4. Feet or Wall Mounting
If placing the unit on the floor, fit the supplied plastic glides or furniture legs. If the lowboard is to be wall-hung for a floating appearance, specialised heavy-duty wall-hanging brackets and fixings are essential. Standard wall plugs are suitable for solid masonry (concrete, solid brick). For stud and plasterboard walls, appropriate cavity fixings must be used, and the load capacity of the wall structure must be checked.
Alternatives to Anthracite
If dark grey feels too heavy for the available natural light, lighter alternatives can still provide a contemporary touch. A Lowboard Beige integrates seamlessly into Scandinavian or earthy interior schemes. Those who like an industrial aesthetic with more texture often opt for a Lowboard Concrete Effect, whose varied pattern disguises dust and minor marks even better.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which wall colour matches an anthracite lowboard?
Light wall colours provide the best backdrop. Alongside classic white, off-white shades, light sand beige, subtle sage green, or a very pale blue-grey work brilliantly. Dark walls cause the furniture to blend in too much and can make the room feel smaller.
How do you prevent heat build-up inside a lowboard?
Electronic devices such as AV receivers and gaming consoles generate heat. If housed in closed compartments, adequate ventilation is essential. Leave off the back panel behind equipment compartments or drill generous ventilation holes in the upper section of the back panel. A reveal gap of 2.5 mm to 3 mm around the doors and drawer fronts also aids airflow.
Can heavy televisions be placed directly onto the lowboard?
Yes, standard lowboards are engineered to bear the weight of modern flat-screen televisions. The top panel will not sag, provided that any central partition walls or support feet (if specified in the instructions) have been installed correctly. For exceptionally heavy CRT televisions or large aquariums, always check the manufacturer's maximum load rating (in kg).
How do you adjust the door reveals and gaps?
Where a lowboard features doors, these are hung using concealed cup hinges. The adjustment screws on the hinge arm allow the door to be aligned in three dimensions. The front screw adjusts the lateral overlay, the rear screw adjusts depth (distance from the carcass), and the mounting plate sets the vertical height.