GONE are the days when the living room
simply consists of furniture, a television set, picture hangings, flower vases and family-size paintings. Today, there is a limitless amount of features and accessories that can be stocked into the living room and still be able to shed off an element of affluence, creative skills and most importantly, individuality. And one of the assets that is gaining popularity is the wall unit, writes Roger Mugisha.

Wall units are large free-standing or wall hung units which can have drawers, shelves, cabinets, desks, ban units and a variety of other features. The wall unit can have cubby drawers, perfect for sorting mail or bills.

The base cabinet offers drawers in a variety of sizes, ensuring that all manner of items are stored. Often placed in living rooms, the latest designs can actually be seen in kitchens, garages and balconies, depending on the items to be put in it.

“A well-positioned wall unit in the living room that covers a sizeable amount of space will always be fundamental. This is because it is a decorative and practical space saver. Most wall units are made of wood and glass because people want them to double as entertainment units or television holders.

However, the latest kinds of wall units can be made of stone, clay and gravel, rendering a dynamic and symbolic presence,” explained Nikhil Damani, the managing director of Damanico Ltd on Kampala road.

Being an item of fashion and expression, wall units often hold flower vases, lamps, lights, books, CDs and candles. At Damanico, they have wall units that are made of wood and glass. These come with very compelling features like circular brackets, glass suspension units and shelves that make storage and display easy. Wall units at Damanico cost between sh400,000 and sh2m, depending on the features that come with it.

Damani adds that the most effective attribute of a wall unit is the positioning.
“For the large and expansive wall units that cover sizeable portions of the living room, they are best settled in a corner so that they block the windows and sunlight. The smaller and lighter ones (some even come with four levels) are versatile enough to be placed anywhere because they can double as stands for holding family portraits and sentimental items like trophies, medals and certificates,” he stressed.

Kaleel Rahman, general manager of Biplous Ltd says the essence of wall units is to bring character to a living room – one of flair and simplicity all at the same time.

“We have differing shapes and sizes of wall units that will certainly suit the customer’s choice. Made of well-polished and strong wood, timber and pure aluminium, our wall units cost between sh500,000 and sh2m. The base cabinet offers drawers in a variety of sizes, ensuring safety of items stored,” Rahman explains.

He adds, “The framework is an integral part of any system, and can make the difference in both performance and appearance. All our wall units are constructed out of strong aluminium alloy and have a long lasting finish.”

The most eye-catching of their wall units is the arch, which is built like Noah’s ark. It is molded with clay, comes with four separate sections where emotional mantle pieces and family pictures can be set and seen by all. Its large and domineering presence commands a price tag of sh3.5m. It is well worth every penny because it inspires style and appeal to any living room area.