A TV unit is one of the most visible pieces of furniture in a living room — and one of the most commonly overlooked for a makeover. If your entertainment unit is dated, dark or just not working with the rest of your room, painting it is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to refresh the whole space.
We've painted a lot of TV units. Here's what you need to know.
Paint Choice for TV Units
TV units get moderate daily use — doors opened and closed, surfaces touched, remotes slid across the top. We recommend Artisan Mineral Paint for TV units for its durability and washable finish. The eggshell finish also looks polished and intentional in a living room setting.
Chalk finish paint works well on TV units that have doors and drawers that aren't opened constantly — but always seal with a water-based sealer rather than wax for better durability.
Best Colours for TV Units
TV units sit in the living room and need to work with the whole room. A few approaches:
- Match the wall colour — painting the TV unit the same colour as the wall makes it recede and puts the focus on the TV and what's displayed on it. Works particularly well in smaller rooms.
- Contrast with the wall — a TV unit in a contrasting colour becomes a feature piece. Works well in larger rooms where you want the unit to anchor the space.
- Neutral and versatile — a neutral TV unit works with any room and any future changes to the room's colour scheme.
Our most popular Artisan colours for TV units:
- Charcoal (chalk) or Iron Gate (mineral) — sophisticated and grounding. A charcoal TV unit with brass handles is a very popular living room combination right now.
- Navy (chalk) or Regatta (mineral) — rich and classic. Beautiful in a Hamptons or coastal living room.
- Arctic White (chalk) or Cotton (mineral) — clean and fresh. Makes a room feel larger and lighter.
- Sage (chalk) or Gumleaf (mineral) — soft green for a relaxed, organic living room.
- Natural Linen (mineral) — warm neutral that suits almost any living room.
- Noir (chalk) — bold black for a graphic, contemporary living room.
Dealing with Cable Management
Before painting, think about cable management. If the unit has cable holes or channels, now is the time to route cables properly before the paint goes on. Painting around cables is frustrating and the result is never as clean.
Step-by-Step: Painting a TV Unit
Step 1: Remove Doors, Drawers and Hardware
Remove all doors, drawers and hardware. Label everything. If the unit has a back panel, decide whether you're painting it — if it's visible, paint it; if it's against the wall and hidden, you can skip it.
Step 2: Clean Thoroughly
TV units accumulate dust, fingerprints and general living room grime. Clean every surface with sugar soap solution and allow to dry completely.
Step 3: Lightly Sand
Scuff sand all surfaces with 180 grit. Wipe away all dust.
Step 4: Paint the Carcass
Paint the main body of the unit first. Use a foam roller for large flat panels and a brush for edges and corners. Two thin coats, sanding lightly between coats.
Step 5: Paint Doors and Drawer Fronts Flat
Paint doors and drawer fronts flat on a work surface. Two thin coats, sanding between. A foam roller gives the smoothest result on flat door fronts.
Step 6: Seal
Seal with a water-based sealer. For the top surface of the TV unit — which will have items placed on it and be wiped regularly — a durable sealer is important. Full sealing guide here.
Step 7: Refit and Add Hardware
Refit doors and drawers and add new hardware. On a TV unit, simple hardware works best — the unit should complement the TV, not compete with it. Matte black or brushed brass bar handles are the most popular choices.
Browse cabinet hardware at Sweet Pea Interiors →
For colour inspiration: Furniture Makeover Ideas for Australian Homes 2026
