Media wall plastering: what to know before you start

Media walls have become hugely popular — a recessed fireplace, a TV niche, some shelving, and you've transformed the room. But the plastering finish is what makes or breaks them.

The big things to get right: dead-straight reveals on the recesses, sharp 90° corners, perfectly flat faces and a finish smooth enough to take paint without bouncing light awkwardly. Sloppy corners and wavy reveals are the giveaways of a rushed job.

Plan ahead for cables, sockets and the fireplace flue/vent before boarding out — chasing them in afterwards is a recipe for cracks. Whoever's building the carcass needs to leave clean, plumb surfaces for the plasterer to work to.

Once plastered, give it the full drying time before painting — and use a deep matt finish that hides imperfections rather than gloss, which highlights every tiny wave.