Why fight traffic, stand in lines or settle for stale popcorn, when you can indulge in the luxury and convenience of an in-home movie theater. With a well-thought-out design, unique touches and the latest technology, you can create an ideal theater space in the comfort of your own home. Soon you’ll be watching the latest releases on your very own big screen from comfortable seats with plenty of room to spread out. Read on to see some of the best home theater system ideas before you start planning your ultimate movie-watching space.
Well Designed
Consider the room where the theater is planned to go before you start designing your in-home theater. Specifics like the room’s overall shape, windows, location within the home and more all need to be carefully thought out to achieve the best sound and picture quality.
Rectangular rooms provide the best sound experience, while square rooms can create reverberation. The ideal dimensions for a home theater is 20 feet long and 13 feet wide with a high ceiling. But if you’re converting an existing room, the room size can’t always be dictated. Theater rooms should be large enough for several people to sit comfortably. Windows should be easily covered for the dark theater experience.
Consider a room far away from the rest of the house’s busy centers. The kitchen and living rooms are typically spaces with the most activity. Sounds of making dinner or discussing the day’s events can easily disrupt the flow of any movie. Likewise, the sound from an action flick could distract from the quiet of a home office. A basement or attic room might be the ideal location for your home theater.
Latest Technology
Home entertainment technology moves fast, and even the best home theater system is no exception. The latest trends mean that you will experience the best sound and picture, which will make your home theater feel just like the real thing.
Consider using multiple screens. This growing trend is popular for sports fans who watch television in home theaters. Often several televisions are mounted on the wall, like in this example from Houzz, and a drop-down projector is lowered when it’s movie time. Or sometimes TVs are mounted on different walls of the same room, especially when the space doubles as a party room.
Smart TVs are integrated into your home network and connected to the Internet. This means that viewers can stream movies or events easily, and that apps like Netflix or Hulu are easily accessible. It’s also makes your viewing experience interactive by allowing viewers to post to social media while they’re watching sporting events or the premier night of their favorite shows.
Hidden, in-wall speakers have been replaced with floor-standing speakers because they produce the best sound. The free-standing model of speaker is also easier to integrate into a home, especially if the theater is being installed in an existing home instead of new construction. Bluetooth technology is able to easily connect speakers to the movie system.
The Best Home Theater System is YOURS!
Personalizing your in-home theater makes it feel complete and like a part of your home, plus the furnishings can help provide the best theater experience. Your décor can range from ultra-modern to a classic theater style and everything in-between, but consider the walls, flooring and furniture as you make your design choices.
A dark or neutral color scheme will help create the theater feeling and add to the movie experience on your big screen. DIY Network recommends using flat paint instead of gloss or semi-gloss that can reflect your screen and distract from viewing. Heavy curtains hung over walls or windows can help reduce light and muffle sound; it can also help to decorate walls since framed art with glass might provide glare.
Wall-to-wall carpet with a thick pad in the theater space is also ideal, creating an ambient sound barrier and to help encourage the cozy feeling that you want in a theater.
Consider your seating carefully; part of the appeal of a home theater is the opportunity to enjoy the show in utter comfort. No one is behind you to kick your chair. You can stretch out, recline, snuggle up and make yourself perfectly at home. Genuine leather recliners with cup holders is one popular idea, but don’t be restricted by what is typically done. Consider lounge chairs in a variety of fabrics with room to stretch out. Stadium-style seating with oversized couches, or couches with ottomans that can double as a bed are all popular options. Whatever you choose, make sure you have room to put drinks, popcorn or your favorite movie snacks as you watch.
Create the best home theater system in your house with these ideas. All you need is planning and an ideal space to create your own movie-watching oasis, right in the comfort of your own home.
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