High-Gloss Media Wall Unit FAME: Modern Design & Maximum Storage

A media wall unit is a modular furniture concept that combines storage, TV integration, and display space in a coordinated cabinet layout. In modern designs such as the FAME series, sleek frontals, handleless mechanisms, and a clear geometric arrangement dominate. For the DIY enthusiast, assembling such a unit is a project that demands precise planning, exact measuring, and the right fittings and tools to achieve a perfectly aligned and sturdy result on the wall.

This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the technical features of modern wall units, selection criteria for domestic spaces, and comprehensive instructions for secure self-assembly.

Types and Configurations of Modern Media Wall Units

Wall units have evolved from bulky, continuous blocks into lightweight, modular systems. The individual elements can be arranged flexibly, allowing tailored adaptation to any room layout.

Wall-Mounted vs. Floor-Standing Elements

Wall mounting gives the unit a floating aesthetic and makes floor cleaning easier. However, wall-hung cabinets require a load-bearing wall (masonry or professionally reinforced stud wall) and heavy-duty wall plugs. Floor-standing elements, often configured as lowboards for the television, transfer weight directly into the floor and are ideal for very heavy equipment or book collections. Both systems are frequently combined: a floor-standing lowboard forms the base, while wall-hung cabinets utilise vertical space.

The Lowboard (TV Unit)

The lowboard is the focal point of the wall unit. It provides a wide, low surface for the television and integrates compartments for set-top boxes, consoles, or amplifiers. Technically, cut-outs in the back panel for cable routing are essential here. A living room cabinet with plenty of storage in the lower section is usually achieved with wide drawers running on sturdy runner systems.

Display Cabinets and Highboards

Glass display cabinets break up solid frontals. They use glass inserts to showcase decorative items. Technically, dedicated glass door hinges are frequently used here. Highboards are mid-height cabinets that offer more storage volume than a lowboard without overwhelming the room like a ceiling-high unit.

Open Shelving Units (Floating Shelves)

Floating shelves act as connecting elements between closed carcass modules. They are mostly installed using concealed shelf support brackets drilled into the wall and slotted into the shelf board, ensuring no bracket remains visible.

Materials and Finishes

The stability and appearance of a media wall unit depend heavily on the chosen substrate materials and surface coatings.

Substrate Materials: Chipboard and MDF

The carcass of most wall units is constructed from chipboard. It is dimensionally stable, does not warp, and provides good screw-holding strength when fixings are inserted correctly. For frontals, especially when routed or seamlessly wrapped in high-gloss foil, MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is used. MDF has a finer structure than chipboard, enabling smoother edges and a more uniform surface for lacquering or foil wrapping.

Finishes: High-Gloss, Matt, and Decors

A living room wall unit in white high gloss reflects incoming light and makes the room appear visually larger. Technically, this effect is achieved with thick PET foil or multi-coat lacquering on the MDF.

Alongside high gloss, matt surfaces (often with anti-fingerprint coatings) as well as wood and concrete effects are popular. Wood decors such as Sonoma Oak or Wotan Oak are created using a melamine resin coating. In this process, printed decorative paper impregnated with synthetic resin is pressed onto the chipboard under heat. This surface is exceptionally scratch-resistant and water-repellent. Material combinations are also common, such as a white high-gloss carcass paired with concrete-look or dark wood frontals.

How to Choose: Planning and Selection Criteria

Before deciding on a designer wall unit, the room dimensions must be precisely surveyed.

Room Dimensions and Proportions

Measure the available wall width and height. Take skirting boards into account, as these prevent floor-standing elements from sitting flush against the wall unless the furniture features a dedicated recess. A clearance of at least 10 cm to 15 cm should be maintained between individual wall-hung cabinets, allowing the modules visual breathing room and providing space for door adjustment.

TV Size and Viewing Distance

The lowboard must be wider than the television; otherwise, the proportion appears unbalanced. A 65-inch television has a width of approximately 145 cm; the lowboard underneath should measure at least 180 cm to 200 cm in width. The height of the lowboard dictates viewing level. At typical sofa seating height, the centre of the screen should sit at approximately 90 cm to 100 cm.

Storage Requirements and Tech Integration

Assess what needs to be stored. Standard box files require an internal clear shelf height of at least 32 cm. For AV equipment, the depth of the lowboard must be adequate (receivers are often deeper than standard bookshelves). Plan cable routing in advance. A cable grommet in white fitted in the top panel of the lowboard allows leads to be routed neatly into the cabinet carcass.

Room Solutions and Applications

A modular white wall unit is not limited to the traditional living room. Individual components can be utilised across different rooms to create a cohesive interior concept.

Transition to the Dining Area

When living and dining spaces merge in an open-plan layout, the aesthetic of the wall unit can continue into the dining area. Complement the unit with a matching white gloss chest of drawers. Sideboards in an identical high-gloss finish provide room for crockery and table linen while establishing a visual link between zones.

Use in Hallways and Entryways

Individual modules from a wall unit collection, such as slimline wall cabinets or floating shelves, work brilliantly in entrance areas. White high-gloss shoe cabinets also blend seamlessly into a modern, handleless design scheme, creating a bright and tidy hallway.

Assembly and Technical Guide for DIYers

Assembling a multi-part high-gloss wall unit is an exacting DIY project. A spirit level is paramount during wall mounting – a 1 mm discrepancy on the first cabinet compounds into a clearly noticeable gap at the end of the run.

Required Tools

• Cordless drill/driver with bit set (PZ, PH, TX, and hex)
• Hammer drill (for concrete/brick walls) with suitable masonry drill bits (typically 8 mm or 10 mm)
• Long spirit level (at least 80 cm) and tape measure
• Rubber mallet for wooden dowels
• Cross-head screwdriver for fine adjustment of hinges
• Cable and pipe detector (to avoid drilling into electrical wires or water pipes)

1. Carcass Assembly

Assembly begins with the carcasses. These are usually assembled flat on the floor. Use clean cardboard packaging as an underlay to prevent scratching the components. Connecting the chipboard panels is typically carried out with wooden dowels and cam lock fasteners. Tap the wooden dowels into the pre-drilled holes using a rubber mallet. Screw the connecting bolts of the cam lock fasteners into the corresponding threads. Fit the panels together and tighten the cam housing clockwise with a screwdriver until the joint is flush and rigid.

The back panel is critical for the squareness and diagonal stability (bracing) of the cabinet. Measure the diagonals of the carcass from corner to corner. If both diagonal measurements are identical down to the millimetre, the cabinet is perfectly square. Only then should you nail or screw the back panel into place.

2. Wall Mounting the Hanging Cabinets

Wall-hung cabinets are usually fitted using adjustable cabinet hangers positioned inside the carcass in the top corners.

1. Drill the holes for the suspension rail or wall brackets into the wall. For masonry or concrete, use wall plugs with an 8 mm or 10 mm diameter and matching hexagon or Torx screws.
2. Hang the carcass onto the wall rail.
3. Inside the cabinet, the hangers feature two adjustment screws. One screw regulates the height (to level the cabinet precisely), while the other draws the cabinet tight against the wall until it sits flush.

3. Hinges and Frontal Alignment

Doors are fitted with concealed cup hinges, often termed Euro hinges. The standard drilling diameter for the door cup is 35 mm. Modern units frequently utilise hinges with integrated soft-close damping.

Depending on cabinet construction, different hinge mounting types are required:

• Full overlay: The door completely overlays the carcass side panel.
• Half overlay: Two doors share a single central carcass partition (half overlay on each side).
• Inset: The door sits entirely flush inside the carcass opening.

After clipping the hinges onto the cruciform mounting plates in the carcass, the door reveals (gaps between doors) must be adjusted. A concealed hinge allows 3-dimensional (3D) adjustment:

• Depth adjustment: Loosening the rear screw on the mounting plate slightly allows the door to be moved closer to or further away from the carcass.
• Height adjustment: The screws on the mounting plate allow the door to be shifted vertically by several millimetres up or down.
• Lateral adjustment: The front adjustment screw on the hinge arm shifts the door to the left or right. Turning it clockwise reduces the gap towards the centre of the cabinet.

4. Drawers and Runners

Lowboards frequently incorporate drawers. Runner mechanisms are screwed to the carcass interior using the System 32 grid (hole spacings at 32 mm intervals). A full-extension runner allows the drawer to extend 100% out of the carcass, massively improving access to the rear. Modern systems often use undermount drawer runners, where the hardware remains hidden invisibly beneath the drawer base.

For handleless furniture designs (such as the FAME series), push-to-open catches are commonly used. Pressing the frontal triggers a spring mechanism that pushes the drawer outward. Note: Push-to-open and soft-close damping operate on opposing mechanical principles and cannot be combined on standard runner systems.

5. Flaps and Gas Struts

Flaps opening upward or downward require specialised fittings. A downward-opening flap (common on lowboards) requires flap stays to prevent heavy drop-down impact. Upward-opening flaps (on overhead units) are held open using a gas strut. The force of these stays is rated in Newtons (N). Typical values range between 50 N and 150 N. A gas strut in white must be precisely matched to the weight and height of the MDF frontal. If the strut is too powerful (e.g. 150 N on a small flap), the door will be extremely difficult to close. If it is too weak, the flap will fail to stay open.

Care and Maintenance of High-Gloss Surfaces

High-gloss MDF frontals coated with PET foil or lacquer are susceptible to micro-scratches. Never use microfibre cloths, as their abrasive fibres act like ultra-fine sandpaper and will dull the gloss over time. Use soft cotton cloths or chamois leather instead. For cleaning, lukewarm water with a drop of mild washing-up liquid is sufficient. Avoid aggressive cleaners, scouring creams, or solvent-based solutions. After wet cleaning, dry the surface immediately to prevent water spots.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the FAME Wall Unit

How do I align the door gaps and reveals properly?

Alignment is carried out using the concealed hinge adjustments. Use the front screw on the hinge arm to adjust the door tilt left or right. The rear screw regulates depth relative to the carcass, while the mounting plate screws adjust vertical height. Make small adjustments and check the door gaps after every quarter turn.

Which wall plugs do I need for wall-hung units?

This depends on the wall construction. For solid concrete or solid brick, standard nylon expansion plugs (8 mm or 10 mm) are suitable. For perforated brick or aerated concrete, dedicated hollow-wall or aerated concrete fixings are required. For plasterboard stud walls, heavy-duty metal cavity anchors must be used, ideally fixing directly into the timber or metal studs.

What is the difference between MDF and chipboard?

Chipboard is manufactured from compressed wood chips and provides the sturdy, cost-effective structural core (carcass) of the furniture. MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is made from finely broken-down wood fibres. It offers an exceptionally smooth surface and dense core, making it ideal for visible, lacquered, or high-gloss frontals.

Why does my overhead flap no longer stay open?

In this scenario, the gas strut has lost internal pressure. This is a standard consumable fitting. Check the force rating in Newtons (e.g. 80 N) printed on the cylinder of the old stay and replace it with a unit of identical rating. Replacement is usually tool-free by releasing a small spring clip on the ball joints.

Can I arrange the wall unit modules in a different layout?

Yes, modular wall units do not require a rigid assembly layout. You can position wall cabinets higher, lower, or asymmetrically. Simply ensure the spacing remains visually balanced and the doors do not collide during opening.

How do I conceal cables running from the TV to the lowboard?

The neatest approach is an in-wall conduit channel. For surface mounting, paintable white plastic trunking is effective. Alternatively, a decorative back panel can be fitted behind the TV, allowing cables to run unseen down into the lowboard.

What does push-to-open mean?

Push-to-open (also known as tip-on) is a mechanical system for handleless furniture. A gentle press on the frontal releases a spring-loaded plunger that pops the door or drawer open slightly, allowing it to be gripped and opened fully by hand.

How much weight can a wall-hung cabinet support?

This primarily depends on the wall structure and the chosen fixings. The cabinet hangers themselves and the carcass (assuming correct back panel assembly) typically support between 15 kg and 30 kg per unit. Do not exceed this capacity, particularly when storing heavy books or tableware.

Related Categories & Guides

• White High-Gloss Wall Units
• Living Room Storage Cabinets
• Designer Media Wall Units
• White Gloss Chests of Drawers
• Gas Struts in White