If you have been scrolling through interior design feeds lately, you will have noticed one undeniable trend dominating luxury living rooms: the media wall. Gone are the days of a simple TV stand pushed against a plaster wall. Today, homeowners across Hampshire and the South of England are creating bespoke, cinematic focal points that combine televisions, fireplaces, and striking stone surfaces.

While the design possibilities are endless, the material you choose for cladding is the most important decision you will make. This is where large format porcelain truly excels.

At Shaw Stone, we have seen a significant increase in demand for porcelain slabs and advanced sintered surfaces such as Dekton for media walls. These materials deliver the visual impact of natural marble or concrete, combined with superior technical performance — making them ideal for modern living spaces.

Below, we explain why large format porcelain is the ultimate choice for a statement media wall.

1. A Seamless, Premium Aesthetic

One of the main reasons interior designers and architects favour large format porcelain is the uninterrupted visual flow it provides. Unlike standard tiles, which create a grid of visible grout lines, large slabs, often measuring up to 3 metres by 1.5 metres — allow expansive areas to be clad with minimal joints.

The result is a sleek, seamless finish that enhances both small and large rooms. Whether you prefer dramatic marble effect veining or a refined concrete aesthetic, porcelain and sintered stone surfaces offer high definition designs that are virtually indistinguishable from natural materials.

2. Exceptional Heat Resistance (Ideal for Fireplaces)

A media wall combined with a fireplace creates a stunning focal point, but heat exposure places real demands on materials.

Quartz, while excellent for kitchen worktops, contains resins that can be vulnerable to prolonged or direct heat from fireplaces. Over time, this can lead to discolouration or thermal stress.

Porcelain and sintered stone surfaces are manufactured at extremely high temperatures, making them completely heat resistant. This makes them the safest and most durable option for cladding around electric fires, bio ethanol fires, and wood burning stoves, with no risk of warping, scorching, or colour change.

3. Lightweight and Installation Friendly

Natural stone slabs such as granite and marble are undeniably beautiful, but their weight can present challenges when used on vertical structures like media walls. Thicker stone often requires additional structural reinforcement, increasing both cost and complexity.

Large format porcelain is available in slimmer profiles, typically 6mm or 12mm thick. This significantly reduces weight while maintaining a solid, premium appearance. The lighter structure allows for easier installation on standard media wall frameworks without compromising on design impact.

4. Built for Everyday Living

Living rooms are high traffic spaces, and media walls must withstand daily wear and tear. Porcelain is one of the hardest and most durable surface materials available. It is highly resistant to scratches, scuffs, and chips, ideal for busy family homes.

Unlike natural marble, porcelain is non-porous and does not require sealing. It is resistant to UV light, meaning it will not fade in bright, sun filled rooms, and it can be easily wiped clean, perfect for keeping the area around your television looking immaculate.

5. Endless Design Flexibility

Whether your home is a contemporary new build or a renovated period property, large format porcelain offers a style to suit every interior.

Popular design options include:

• Book matching: Carefully aligned slabs where the veining mirrors across the surface, creating a striking feature behind the television.
• Surface finishes: Choose from polished gloss finishes to reflect light, or matt and textured surfaces for a softer, more understated look.
• Colour and pattern variety: From bold statement designs to subtle, architectural finishes.

 

Why Choose Shaw Stone for Your Media Wall?

A media wall is a centrepiece investment, and precision is everything. At Shaw Stone, we are not just material suppliers, we are expert fabricators.

Using state of the art CNC and water jet technology, we cut large-format porcelain and sintered stone with millimetre perfect accuracy. This ensures flawless cut outs for televisions, soundbars, shelving, and fireplaces, resulting in a refined, professional finish.

We work closely with homeowners, interior designers, and architects across Hampshire and the South of England to bring ambitious media wall designs to life.

Ready to Transform Your Living Space?

If you are planning a media wall project, visit our Fareham showroom to view our range of large format porcelain and sintered stone slabs in person. Our experienced team is always happy to offer expert advice on design, fabrication, and installation.

Contact us today for a quote, or call us to discuss your ideas.