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If you’re looking for a unique way to increase the value of your home, a home theater setup could be the best solution. After all, what’s better than cozying down with friends and family and enjoying the newest blockbuster or even a movie that holds special memories from your child’s early years?
Not much. Of course, most people will settle for watching TV in the living room, and while modern ultra-HD and widescreen TVs make this pretty good, it still doesn’t capture the magic of a home movie theater. Unlike your living room, a dedicated theater removes distractions so you can immerse yourself in the action on screen. If this sounds like a great idea (and it obviously is) here are nine ways to create the perfect home movie theater.
Find the Perfect Room
Any old room will not do when you are designing a home theater. For the optimal experience, you need it to be narrower than it is long, as this allows you to get the right setup and still have space for your projector at the back of the room.
Home theater experts consider rooms measuring 20 feet long and 15 feet wide to be the perfect size. Of course, most homes don’t have this luxury, with rooms generally designed as squares. However, designing an extension could solve this. You can also take an exciting room and adapt the layout to make it more theater-like.
Get the Lighting Right
Movie theater lighting has a specific ambiance that you can instantly recognize. This ambiance is crucial for generating the perfect atmosphere and making it feel like you’re in a genuine movie theater.
The most important thing to consider is outside light. Cinemas don’t have windows, but your home probably will, which is what makes basements a useful option, as these windows are usually smaller and easier to cover to block out all light. Once you’ve managed this, you can install additional lighting or use the existing functional lights in between showings.
Get the Sound Right
The sound is another important factor to consider. You need something as immersive as possible, bringing superb surround sound that rumbles your seat and ensures you feel every step, explosion, or subtle whisper.
A speaker system and soundbar is a great way to achieve this, but you can use programs that boost and enhance your Mac’s audio output to enhance the quality if you prefer to play the movies or shows through your computer or laptop hooked up to the projector.
Find the Right Screen and Projector Setup
You know what a cinema looks like which should make it easier for you to know where to place the projector and the screen. It’s not enough to just put these in a room with some chairs, though. The projector should be far enough away from the screen to project clear images, and the screen itself must be large enough to cover as much of the back wall as possible.
There are many types of projector screens, ranging from inflatable ones used for outdoor viewing to roll-up ones which can be fixed to the wall like a window blind and pulled down when needed. This is a useful option as it reduces the clutter in the room.
Get Rid of Reflective Items
Reflective items will capture and disperse the light emitted from the projector which could cause glare on the screen. It doesn’t take an expert to know why this is not suitable for a home movie theater, so get rid of all reflective items in the room.
These reflective items could be glass tables or picture frames but also door knobs or hardware on cabinets. Instead of using shiny items, go for matte finishes to reduce glare.
Plan the Seating and Viewing
Seating and viewing setups can make or break your home cinema design. Consider this like the times you sit too close to the screen because you’re viewing a popular movie for the first time. Viewers should not be too close to the screen, so allow for ample space between the front seats and the screen.
Besides this, you’ll need to allow space at the back of the room for the projector, which could mean you only have some space to work with. Sofas are often a better choice rather than using individual chairs as they provide space for multiple people without taking up as much room.
Bring In Cozy Furniture
And, of course, the furniture must be cozy. You don’t want people to shift in their seats during the movie, so make sure they are as comfortable as possible. You can even take inspiration from many modern cinemas which come with reclining chairs to enhance comfort. If you don’t have space for recliners, a wide footrest will also work.
Use Dark Colors
If you don’t feel the room will be dark enough even with outside light completely blocked out, you should use dark colors like blues or black to prevent reflecting light. If you don’t want a completely dark room, just paint close to the screen to frame the footage better. As for the ceiling, neutral colors are ideal as they find the perfect balance between reflective light and immersion.
Offer Snacks
Your home theater wouldn’t be complete without the best movie theater snacks you can make at home and serve to family and guests. These snacks can range from movie classics like hotdogs or nachos, but you can even buy a popcorn machine to give the space that unmistakable theater aroma.
If possible, try to set the room up close to the kitchen, and if you have enough space in the hallway outside, you can set the popcorn machine up here. Offering snacks means people are likely to spill crumbs or even drinks, so be prepared to clean up afterward or even pause the movie to prevent sticky stains.
Silver Screen
If you’re a passionate cinephile or just love to get lost in magical worlds or high-octane adventure to finish the week, a home movie theater could be the answer. You can finally find a use for that spare room, and it will do wonders for boosting your home’s value.
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