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Are you looking to create a space in your home where you can unwind, relax, and watch the latest movies and TV shows? If you are, it might be time to think about building a home theater.
Home theaters take the beauty of a cinema and put it right inside your home. In the era of global pandemics and quarantines, that’s something that everyone can get behind.
However, there are some things that you’ll want to keep in mind when designing a home theater. Taking the time to plan things will ensure that everything turns out the way you want it to.
So what do you need to consider?
Keep reading to learn all about everything that goes into quality home theater design.
Think About What You’ll Use the Space for
When most people think of home theaters, watching movies and bingeing TV shows on Netflix usually comes to mind. While that’s the purpose that many home theaters serve, understand that your room can be a bit more multifaceted.
If you’re someone who enjoys playing video games, your home theater can also function as the ultimate gaming space. Likewise, it can also be the ultimate sound system for parties and other events.
It’s important to consider the purpose of your home theater, as this will help you decide which equipment to get later on.
Choose the Right Location
Aside from deciding on a purpose for the room, you’ll also want to find the perfect space.
For the most part, you’ll want to choose a location that’s quiet, dark, and provides ample insulation. For many people, that ends up being their basement, which is why many homes boast subterranean home theaters.
If you don’t have a basement or your basement is unfinished, you can choose any other location that meets the necessary criteria. You should be able to block out the light and limit the sound that both enters and exits the area.
Controlling the sound of a room can be hard, which is why many homeowners are beginning to use acoustic walls.
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Plan the Layout
Before you start bringing in the furniture and installing the different fixtures, you want to make sure that you stop to plan the layout of the room.
While every room is going to look a bit different, comfy seating and a big screen are must-haves. Just make sure to take other factors like windows, wall length, and the room shape into account.
You’ll also want to ensure that your seats are the right distance away from the screen. If you have a big screen that’s over 40 inches, your seating should be at least ten feet away.
Consider the Wiring
If your home theater plan starts to get a bit complicated, that’s okay. However, remember to take the electrical wiring that powers everything into account. Include this on your master plan to ensure the room can accommodate what you want it to.
Are you going to have surround sound speakers or a single soundbar? Is your TV going to connect to cable, or are you only going to use the internet on it? Will the A/V circuit use the same circuit as the rest of the house?
Make sure to consider and answer questions like these before you start installing everything.
Plan Out the Lighting
When considering the lighting of the room, try your best to imitate the lighting of a real movie theater.
You want there to be enough light so that people can arrive at their seats without stumbling or injuring themselves. However, once they’re there, the light should disappear so that people can see the screen without a problem.
The easiest way to do this is by installing dimmers. This will let you keep the light at a brighter level during setup before dimming it down or shutting it off once the movie or game night begins.
Decide on Seating
If you’ve ever been subjected to watching a movie in an uncomfortable chair, then you know how important it is to choose the right home theater seating.
Leave the dining room chairs and any other flimsy seats behind. Your goal is to provide seating that feels comfortable and inviting. Most home theaters do this by using sofas, couches, and armchairs.
If you’re looking to go the whole nine miles, you can even install seating that comes with special features. Back massagers, motorized recliners, and chairs that shake in tune with the movie are all options. Just make sure that you don’t fall asleep while watching!
Ensure That Everything Feels Cozy
Aside from choosing seats that you can sink into, the entire room should feel warm and cozy. You should look forward to setting into the room and turning on the TV after a long and hectic day at work.
If you have enough space, look into decorating the room to look like a movie theater. Movie posters and other film-related accessories can help do this.
You’ll also want to choose a plushy carpet. This will further insulate the sound of the room, as well as help the space feel cozy.
Understand What Goes into Designing a Home Theater
Whether you’re planning on building a new home or are remodeling your existing one, adding a home theater is never a bad idea.
When designing a home theater, make sure to consider the points mentioned in this guide. In doing so, you can be certain that your room will keep you and your family entertained for years to come.
Do you now have a better understanding of how to go about building a home theater? If you need more help with home design, remember to check out the rest of our site.
