Nothing says luxury like an in-home custom made theater. This built-in entertainment keeps the kids happy, gives you something to do on a quiet Saturday night, and makes your home the best place to entertain groups of friends. You're a football fan? Watch the big game in your home theater. Like to curl up and watch the television in the evenings? Do it in style in your home theater room.
Home theaters are unique spaces that need custom design in order to be most effective. Everything from the dimensions to the furniture to the type of equipment in the room must be carefully chosen to ensure an optimal experience. If you've never owned a home with a theater before, doing your research and working with an experienced Connecticut contractor can help ensure that your home theater will provide the best viewing experience for your family and guests.
Ideal Layout and Design
The layout of your home theater is more important than you might think. The ideal layout is rectangular, with the dimensions conforming to a specific ratio to ensure optimal acoustics. Experts recommend the following dimensions for a typical in-home theater:
- 15x20
- 10x12
- 8x10
Some other design tips:
- Install carpeting to prevent sound from bouncing around.
- If you're planning to install multiple rows of seats, install risers for good viewing.
- Consider installing extra insulation or soundproofing to prevent your home theater from becoming a nuisance for others in your home.
Create a Soothing Environment
Bright lights are distracting during movies, as are light colors in the environment. Paint your home theater in a soothing medium- or dark-colored paint like a soft blue, neutral brown or gentle gray. This creates an ideal viewing environment and prevents distraction during movies.
Reflections can be problematic while watching a movie. Avoid paint colors with a glossy finish that could lead to reflections and thus distractions.
While natural daylight is generally a positive thing in most rooms of the home, it's overall a problem in a home theater. For this reason, some homeowners choose to install their home theater in the basement, where windows are small and easy to cover. Alternatively, work with your Connecticut contractor to build a room addition without windows (this is ideal) or with very narrow windows that are easy to cover.
Wireless and Smart Home Features
Smart features are increasingly popular in all rooms of the house, but this is especially true in the home theater, where the sophistication of your equipment will have a big impact on the quality of the experience. A smart television with a large screen is a must for streaming videos and movies from multiple sources.
Increasingly, homeowners no longer need DVDs and other equipment to view the movies they want to see: simply turn on the smart television and find the movie of your choice from your streaming service. Meanwhile, bluetooth speakers offer surround sound without the visual clutter of wires.
Wet Bar
Installing a wet bar gives you someplace to stash snacks and prepare cocktails for friends. Drink bars need a variety of features including cabinets for stocking liquor, snacks and glasses, plus a countertop for food and drink prep, and a sink for washing glasses. In fact, a wet bar is basically a kitchenette, and requires a plumber and contractor proper installation.
Drink bars make your home theater space multipurpose, and can make your room more fitting for entertaining groups of friends. Give thought to your use of the room before deciding to install a wet bar.
Ergonomic Seating
Good seating in your home theater is crucial. Some homeowners install rows of matching recliners while others choose bench seating or sofas. Consider features like mechanical lumbar support, cup-holders, reclining capability and more before making your final selection. You may even consider a variety of different seating types including a theater bed, cuddle couch, or sectional couch.
The type of furniture you'll install in your home theater depends on the space available as well as dimensions. Have the seating picked out before finalizing the design with the contractor, so that there's enough space for the type of seating you prefer.
Atmospheric Lighting
Lighting makes a big difference in your home theater. When the movie turns on, maintaining just enough lighting to see your way out of the room or grab another drink from the bar can enhance the experience. When the lights are on and the movie is off, your home theater should still feel cozy and intimate.
Lights with dimmer capability can help you find the perfect lighting levels for whatever movie you're watching. Some homeowners opt for interesting features like fiber optic twinkling ceiling lights or LED strip lights that create an ambient glow. Discuss the options with your contractor as you're working on the design.
Create the Perfect In-Home Entertainment Space
Home theaters are very specialized spaces. There's a lot to consider when you're building a home theater, including finding the right dimensions, creating a perfect windowless space in your home, and adding the best risers for your home space.
Hiring the right contractor for the job is important. Look for a Connecticut contractor with experience installing home theaters in other residential spaces. Work together to create a design and home renovation you'll love.
Litchfield Builders has created a free downloadable guide that can help you through the process of hiring the right contractor for your upcoming home theater installation. Use our guide or contact us to get started with your upcoming home renovation.
