The Clean TV Wall Blueprint: How to Choose a Slim White Oak Floating Media Console
A TV wall can make a room feel modern and calm, or it can quietly become the messiest “feature” in the house.
The difference usually comes down to three things:
Proportions (width, height, depth)
Cable strategy (planned, not improvised)
Materials (something that looks intentional, not temporary)
This guide breaks down the decisions that make a floating setup feel built in, even if you are not doing a full renovation.
If you want the short version: a slim floating media console in white oak is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel cleaner, larger, and more designed, without taking up floor space.
Why floating consoles look so good right now
Floating storage does two things at once:
It clears the floor visually, which makes a room feel more open.
It creates a strong horizontal line that anchors the TV, so it feels “placed” instead of “stuck on a wall.”
If you’ve been browsing ideas lately, you are not imagining it. Searches and inspiration around “oak floating tv unit” and similar phrases are everywhere right now.
Step 1: Get the dimensions right (this is where most rooms go wrong)
A clean TV wall is mostly math, in a good way.
The ideal profile for a minimalist TV wall
A slim console works because it does not fight the TV for attention. It creates just enough presence to anchor the screen, while staying visually light.
A strong reference point is a console that’s about 6 inches tall and about 10 inches deep, which keeps the wall feeling modern and the room feeling spacious.
That 10 inch depth is the sweet spot for minimal setups because it reads like furniture, but it does not jut out into the room the way many traditional media stands do.
Width: the rule of thumb that instantly improves the whole wall
The most common mistake is choosing a console that is too narrow.
A helpful guideline is to choose a console that is at least a few inches wider than the TV on each side, so the whole setup feels balanced and intentional.
A practical way to decide your width
Measure the actual width of your TV (not the diagonal size).
Pick a console width that gives you visual breathing room on both sides.
If you have space, going wider looks more custom.
If you’re choosing from standard widths, options in the 30 to 84 inch range cover most real world rooms, from small bedrooms to big living rooms.
Step 2: Plan your cable strategy before you mount anything
Minimal TV walls do not happen by accident. They happen because somebody made a plan for cables.
Here are five strategies that keep things clean without overcomplicating the project:
1) Decide where power lives
If your outlet is low, you can keep power low and use a clean cable path up to the TV.
If your outlet is behind the TV, plan for a short, tidy drop to the console.
2) Pick your cable approach: in wall or surface
In wall kits are the cleanest look.
Surface raceways are a solid option if you want simple and reversible.
3) Group cables by purpose
One bundle for power, one bundle for signal. It makes everything easier to route and troubleshoot later.
4) Give heat producing devices some air
Game consoles, AV receivers, and some streaming devices need airflow. A minimal console can still work, but you want a setup that does not trap heat.
5) Keep the “little clutter” from becoming visual noise
Remotes, controllers, and small accessories are what usually ruin the clean look.
Even one small tray or box can keep the surface looking intentional.
Step 3: Why white oak works so well for modern, warm interiors
White oak is having a moment, and it makes sense. It reads clean, calm, and high end without feeling flashy.
It fits especially well in:
Warm minimalism
Japandi inspired spaces
Modern organic interiors
Japandi style, in particular, leans heavily on wood and natural tones, including oak, to create warmth without clutter.
White oak vs red oak (the real difference)
They can look similar at a glance, but they behave differently.
White oak heartwood typically has pores plugged with tyloses, which helps reduce liquid movement through the wood and is one reason white oak is traditionally used for tight cooperage like barrels.
That is not the only reason to choose it for furniture, but it is a useful detail if you care about material performance, not just appearance.
The look: calm grain, timeless tone
White oak’s color tends to sit in a neutral range that plays well with:
Warm whites
Soft blacks
Sage and olive greens
Clay and sand tones
Natural stone and linen textures
It looks “designed” without demanding attention, which is exactly what you want under a TV.
Step 4: Solid hardwood vs plywood (how to choose)
There is no single right answer here. It depends on what you value most.
A good approach is offering both:
Solid hardwood for the person who wants the real thing, with continuous grain and heirloom feel
Plywood with hardwood edge banding for the person who wants the look and function, with a different value point
For example, a white oak minimal floating console offered in both solid hardwood and plywood can hit both needs while keeping the same clean profile and design language.
Step 5: Mounting matters more than most people think
A floating console only feels premium if it feels solid.
A French cleat is one of the best mounting methods for floating furniture because it’s strong, clean, and also allows you to remove and re hang the piece if needed.
If you are building a wall setup you may adjust later (new TV, new layout, moving houses), this is a big deal.
A quick checklist you can use before you buy or build
Use this as your “clean TV wall” preflight:
Measure your TV width (side to side)
Choose a console width that is wider than the TV for better proportions
Decide your depth based on the room (slimmer keeps the room feeling open)
Plan cables before mounting anything
Confirm device ventilation needs
Choose wood tone that matches the room’s direction (white oak is a safe, modern neutral)
Pick a mounting method you trust (French cleat is a great standard)
If you want a ready to go option (made to order in white oak)
If the goal is a clean, slim, modern TV wall, a piece that is 6 inches tall, 10 inches deep, and offered in multiple widths makes the whole project easier, and keeps the end result looking intentional.
That’s exactly what our White Oak Minimal Floating Media Console was designed to do, with:
Multiple width options from 30 to 84 inches
Solid hardwood or plywood with hardwood edge banding
French cleat mounting system and included hardware
Hand applied hardwax oil finish
Free returns within 45 days