Home theaters are much more than getting a big screen and a few comfy chairs. It’s all about creating the ideal environment where no external noise can disturb you while the setting will allow you to relax and watch movies without having to get up for this and that every other minute. The good news is that there are solutions. The bad news is that they cost a considerable amount of money. All the same, you can invest in the basics first to create the home theater room of your dream and may add extras in the future. So, here’s a list of the best home theater room ideas to get started.
Find the best location for the home theater
Before you start considering home theater ideas, it’s vital to find the location. You most likely think of renovating one of the existing rooms in the home and turning it into a home movie theater. That’s the difficult scenario. The easier one would be if you were building a home now and wanted to add a theater room. So, which one of your existing rooms will be perfect for a home theater? Obviously, if you only have one spare room, that’s it. Households rarely have the option to choose among spare rooms in the house. The basement is always a good idea as long as it is not damp. Other than that, any room will do but you need to take care of the natural light to avoid screen glare. You’ll just need blackout home theater curtains to take care of that. When it comes to the location, another consideration is the size of the room. The longer, the better. You need to keep your distance from the screen.
Focus on the home theater design
Home theater planning is the most important phase of the project. If you leave something important out, you’ll find it in front of you later. Focus on the trio: floor, walls, ceiling. The room must be soundproofed while hard materials should be avoided. The sound travels better when the materials are soft. So prefer carpets for the floor, acoustical wall panels, and an insulated ceiling. And then, you’ll need a good lighting system. You should be able to control and dim it so that it will not bounce off the screen but create a nice ambiance.
Everything from the wall panels to the colors will affect the home theater design. Keep it as simple as you can. The last thing you want is disruptions. The focal point here is the screen and the movie not the sconces. But you can still keep the environment beautiful with framed movie posters and wall accents. Just don’t make it too busy.
Give priority to the sound isolation
Getting the best possible A/V equipment is a must. But if you won’t control the sound perfectly, the broadcast won’t be as good as it is expected. This is what we often call sound treatment or sound isolation. It has a double meaning and thus purpose. For starters, it helps you control sound so that it will not bounce against walls, floor, and ceiling. And then, it’s a matter of keeping ambient noises out of the home theater room. How do you handle such problems?
- Invest in soft materials for the floor and walls because they absorb sound better than hard ones.
- Get a solid door.
- Create a sound barrier with insulated drywall.
Get the best home theater seats
There’s a great variety of home theater seating options nowadays. From modular sectionals to loveseats and lounge sofas, you’ll find plenty of choices in many colors and styles. Now, the most important thing when it comes to the seats of the home theater is their arrangement and distance from the screen. The latter is subject to the size and shape of the room – hence, the longer, the better. Another consideration is the limited view for those who sit at the rear rows. So, if you plan to create two-three rows, consider getting a riser platform. Now, if you can get reclining home theater chairs with fold down tables, all the better. You just dim the lights, get your popcorn, stretch your feet, and press the remote. It’s show time!
