Can You Mount a TV, Shelves or Artwork Over Acoustic Wall Panels?

Acoustic wall panels make an effective backdrop for televisions, desks, fireplaces, shelving and artwork. The vertical slats add warmth and texture, while the felt backing helps soften unwanted echo within the room.

They should, however, be treated as a decorative wall finish rather than a structural support.

Television brackets, heavy shelves and large mirrors need to be secured to the wall behind the panels. For the cleanest result, plan and install these fixings before the acoustic panels go up.

Before cutting or fitting anything, mark out the complete panelled area and decide where every permanent feature will sit.

This may include:

• The television bracket
• Shelves
• A soundbar
• Artwork or mirrors
• Sockets and switches
• Cable outlets
• Lighting
• Media furniture
• A fireplace
  
  

The straight vertical lines of acoustic panels make alignment more noticeable than it might be on a plain wall. Check that the television, desk or main feature will sit centrally within the finished layout.

You should also decide whether the panels will cover the whole wall or create a narrower feature section. Browse our acoustic wall panel collection to compare the different finishes before settling on the final design.

Install the TV bracket first

Heavy fixtures such as television brackets should be installed before the acoustic panels.

The bracket must be secured using fixings that are suitable for the wall construction. Do not rely on the wooden slats or felt backing to hold the weight of the television.

Before installation, check:

• The final height of the television
• What the wall is made from
• The position of the bracket
• Which wall fixings are required
• Where the power and television connections will sit
• Whether the bracket tilts, extends or swivels
• How much access will be needed behind the screen
• Where the wall type or fixing method is unclear, ask an experienced installer to assess it before work begins.
  
  

Leave enough access

Once the bracket is in position, the acoustic panels can be measured and cut around the mounting points.

Keep the opening as neat as possible, but do not make it so tight that the bracket cannot be adjusted. You may need to reach the fixings, change a cable or remove the television in the future.

A tidy media wall still needs to remain practical.

Heavy shelves should be approached in the same way as a television bracket. Fit the structural supports first, then install the acoustic panels around them.

Think about what the shelf will hold. A shelf for books, speakers or equipment will need more support than one used for a few lightweight decorations.

Plan the:

• Expected weight
• Shelf size and depth
• Bracket type
• Wall fixing points
• Position against the slats
• Nearby sockets and cables
• Access to the brackets
  
  

Floating shelves can work particularly well against acoustic panels, but their concealed supports must still be fixed securely to the wall behind.

Media walls often need more connections than people first expect.

Before installing the panels, decide where you will need:

• Power sockets
• Television or aerial points
• Internet connections
• HDMI cables
• Speaker and soundbar cables
• Games-console connections
• Lighting supplies
  
  

If the panels are being fitted over existing sockets, cut the openings carefully before fixing the panel to the wall. Spacer rings may be needed on the electrical boxes to accommodate the additional panel depth.

Sockets must be secured into the panel and the wall behind it. Any changes to wiring or electrical boxes should be completed by a qualified electrician.

It is also worth considering how cables will be replaced or disconnected later. Avoid hiding important connections in areas that cannot be reached without removing part of the panelled wall.

We do not recommend installing acoustic panels directly behind a radiator or immediately beside a direct heat source. Continued exposure to heat and humidity may affect the wood veneer over time.

Where the feature wall includes a fireplace, check the appliance manufacturer’s clearance requirements before deciding where the panels will begin and end.

The fireplace should also remain accessible for servicing. Do not copy the spacing shown in another customer project without first checking the requirements for your own appliance.

The main fixture should guide the panel layout.

• Full-wall coverage: This works well when the television, fireplace and storage form one complete media wall.
  
  
• Centred feature: Panels can sit behind the television with painted wall visible on both sides.
  
  
• Half-height feature: A lower panelled section can define a desk, console or display area while leaving the upper wall painted.
  
  
• Framed panel section: A defined panelled area can surround the television or artwork and finish with clean exposed edges.
  
  

Order samples before committing to a finish, particularly when matching panels with existing flooring, wood furniture, or cabinetry. Explore the available options in the acoustic wall panel collection.

Before work begins, confirm:

• What the wall is made from
• Which fixings are suitable
• Where heavy brackets will be installed
• Where sockets and cables will sit
• Whether the bracket will remain accessible
• Whether any electrical work is required
• How close the panels will be to a heat source
• Whether the equipment can be removed or serviced later

Televisions, shelves and artwork can all be incorporated into an acoustic-panel feature wall. The important point is that the wall behind the panels must support the fixture.

Install heavy brackets first, plan sockets and cables before fitting, and attach lightweight decorations through the felt into the wall after the adhesive has cured.

Read our slat wall panel installation guide before starting the project.