Getting a media wall fitted is exciting. But arriving on installation day without the right preparation can slow the job down, create decisions under pressure, and occasionally lead to a finish you’re not quite happy with. This guide covers everything to sort out before the team turns up — so the build goes smoothly and you end up with exactly what you planned.
Why preparation makes a difference
A media wall installation involves several decisions that genuinely affect the final result: where the sockets sit, what the finish looks like, whether the TV height works for your room, and how the cabling is routed. Most of these decisions are best made before installation day, not during it.
When decisions get made on the day — often when tools are already out and materials are cut — the result is sometimes a compromise. The preparation checklist below helps you avoid that.
- Confirm all decisions before the team arrives
- Clear the room and protect what you can’t move
- Sort out any access or logistics issues
- Have your paint colour chosen and ready to order
- Know your TV size and bracket preference
1. Confirm your socket and switch positions
Socket positions are one of the most important decisions in the whole build. Once the wall is framed and boarded, changing a socket position means cutting back into the boarding — which adds time and potentially affects the finish.
Before installation day, walk the room and think carefully about:
- TV sockets: Typically positioned inside the wall cavity, directly behind where the TV will sit. Power, HDMI and aerial sockets at TV level, with a matching set low down at AV unit level.
- Gaming consoles and streaming devices: If you run consoles from a cabinet underneath the TV, you’ll want power sockets at cabinet height as well as TV height.
- Fireplace socket: Electric fires need a dedicated socket inside the recess. Confirm the exact position with the fire model in mind.
- Lighting switches: If you’re adding LED lighting, decide whether the switch will be on the wall, wired into an existing circuit, or controlled via smart home.
2. Confirm your TV size and height
Your TV size affects the bracket choice, the depth of the cavity, and the height the bracket gets mounted at. Get this locked in before installation day.
TV size
Measure your TV if you already have one, or confirm the screen size you’re planning to buy. The bracket needs to be rated for the TV’s weight and VESA pattern (the bolt spacing on the back of the TV). If you’re buying a new TV after the wall is built, a universal bracket rated to the appropriate size range is the safest choice.
TV height
The right TV height for a media wall is lower than most people instinctively set it. The centre of the screen should typically be at eye level when seated — which for most sofas puts the bottom of the TV at around 400–600mm from the floor.
Bracket type
- Fixed/flat bracket: TV sits flush against the wall. The cleanest finish and the most space-efficient.
- Tilt bracket: Allows the TV to angle down slightly. Useful if the TV is mounted higher than ideal.
- Full-motion/articulating bracket: TV can swing out and angle in multiple directions. Requires more depth in the wall cavity and the bracket plates need to be positioned to allow for the arm’s movement.
3. Decide on your wall finish before the board goes up
The finish you choose — skim and paint, MDF panels, stone cladding or timber — affects the framing depth and sometimes the boarding specification. It needs to be decided before work starts, not after the wall is built.
If you’re planning a cladding finish (stone, timber, shiplap) that adds depth to the wall face, the frame needs to account for the extra thickness. If you add cladding to a wall that was framed without allowing for it, sockets may end up recessed too deep or at the wrong level.
Paint colour
You don’t need to paint before the team arrives (in fact, painting before boarding is counterproductive). But you do need to have your colour chosen and ready to order so you can paint immediately after the plaster has dried. The team will tell you exactly when the wall is ready to paint.
4. Check your fireplace plan
If your media wall includes an integrated electric fire, there are a few things to confirm before installation:
- Confirm the fire model: The recess is built to specific dimensions based on the fire you’ve chosen. Changing fire model after the recess is built is difficult and sometimes not possible.
- Check clearance requirements: Every electric fire has a minimum clearance above the flame effect and around the sides. These must be met — confirm the exact figures with your installer.
- Delivery timing: The fire needs to be on site (or at least confirmed and on order) before the installation starts. Don’t assume you can order it after the recess is built.
- Dedicated circuit: Confirm whether the fire needs its own spur from the consumer unit, or whether it can run from a standard ring circuit.
5. Clear the room and protect what you’re keeping
The installation team needs clear access to the feature wall and a working area in front of it — typically 2–3 metres of clear floor space. Sort this out the evening before the team arrives:
- Remove all pictures, shelves and fixings from the feature wall
- Take down any existing TV and aerial cables on that wall
- Move furniture away from the wall — not just the sofa, but side tables and floor lamps too
- Roll back any rugs you don’t want to get dusty or damaged
- Cover sofas and chairs that can’t be moved with dust sheets
6. Sort out access and logistics
A few practical things to arrange before the day:
- Parking: The team will have a van with materials and tools. If parking is restricted near your house, let them know in advance.
- Access to the property: Someone needs to be home to let the team in — either yourself or another adult who can make decisions if questions come up.
- Consumer unit access: The electrician will need access to your consumer unit (fuse box) during first fix. Make sure it isn’t blocked or locked.
- Pets: Building work is stressful for animals and creates safety hazards with tools and open doorways. Arrange for pets to be elsewhere during the busiest build days.
- Children: Active build areas with power tools are not safe for young children. Plan accordingly for school holidays or at-home days.
7. Confirm AV equipment and cable requirements
What are you planning to run from your media wall? The cables for any AV equipment need to be routed through the wall during first fix — once the board is on, adding cables means cutting back in.
Make a list of every device you’re likely to use:
- Games consoles (PlayStation, Xbox)
- Streaming sticks (Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast)
- Sky or Freeview boxes
- Soundbars or separate speakers
- Blu-ray players
For each device, think about whether you want to hide it completely inside the wall cavity, sit it in a cabinet below the TV, or leave it accessible on a shelf. The answer affects how many and what type of cables need routing through the wall.
Preparation checklist: the night before
- Feature wall cleared of all pictures, shelves and fixings
- 2–3m of clear floor space in front of the wall
- Rugs rolled up, soft furnishings covered or moved
- TV size confirmed, bracket type decided
- Socket positions confirmed and agreed with installer
- Wall finish confirmed (skim/paint, panels, cladding)
- Paint colour chosen and ready to buy
- Fireplace model confirmed and on order (if applicable)
- AV equipment list shared with installer for cable routing
- Consumer unit accessible
- Parking arranged for the installation van
- Pet plan sorted
FAQs
Do I need to remove the wallpaper from the feature wall?
Usually not — the new wall frame goes in front of the existing wall surface. You don’t need to strip wallpaper unless your installer specifically asks you to (which is rare). Leave the existing wall as it is.
What if I haven’t bought my TV yet?
That’s fine, but confirm the screen size before the build starts. The bracket needs to be sized correctly. If you’re undecided between two sizes, tell your installer — they can usually mount a bracket that covers both options.
Should I sort out the decorating (painting) myself?
Yes, typically. We leave the wall skimmed, flat and ready to paint. Most homeowners either paint themselves or arrange their own decorator — paint choices are personal, and scheduling your decorator around the plaster drying time is easier than us arranging it for you. We’ll confirm when the plaster is ready.
What if I change my mind about socket positions on the day?
Minor adjustments early in the build are usually possible, but they add time. Major changes once framing is underway may not be practical. That’s why it’s worth thinking through socket positions carefully before installation day rather than leaving them as a day-of decision.
Can I be out during the installation?
For most of the build, yes. But we’d suggest being available at the start of day one for any final queries, and at the end of the job for sign-off. For a first-time build with you, we’ll need someone who can make decisions if questions come up during the day.
Ready to book your media wall?
The best first step is to send us a photo of the wall you have in mind, your TV size, and whether you’d like a fireplace. We’ll come back to you with a clear idea of what’s possible and a fixed quote.
Get a quote from Media Wall Master
Or call 07477 405111 • Email dan@mediawallmaster.co.uk