Practical Interior Design Tips for Building a Home Theater

Having a theater room at own home is the dream of movie lovers everywhere. Especially now, while we are still in the middle of a pandemic, it is so hard not to miss the experience of going to the cinema and watching a great film. It is a big task and a long project to take on, but it is still doable and well worth it.

You have many things to consider before diving into this project. Ensure that you do a lot of research. There are many resources out there that can help you make technical decisions like the type of entertainment system you should purchase, what sound system would be best for your specific home situation. There are also some other things to consider like where to build it inside your home, how to improve the acoustics of the room, and what kind of seating would be best suited to your tastes.

Many people build their theater rooms in their attics or basements and for good reason. Those are the spaces that are often not utilized enough in a home. Plus, these two types of spaces usually have fewer windows where light and sound can enter. However, a well-ventilated room is also important for safety, so keep that in mind. You also have to check that there are no leaky pipes, faulty wires, or holes in the ceiling. Aside from the danger of getting your theater system and movie collection damaged by water, movie rooms also tend to have a lot of fabric that could get wet, moldy, or catch fire quickly.                                                                                                                             

Attics and basements are also usually isolated from the rest of the rooms in a house, so that helps with controlling noise and other disturbances you want to avoid. You also have to make sure that the room or area you choose is big enough for your ideal number of “viewers”. Map out how you want the room to look. Do you have a wall big enough for the screen size you want? If you’re opting for a projector over a flatscreen, can you get it far enough from the screen for it to fill the whole frame? Draw and test out everything. Move things around as needed. You might need or want storage for your DVD collection, a bar for drinks and snacks and framed movie posters on the wall. Planning is key to making fewer mistakes.

Full soundproofing and acoustic treatment are not easy tasks to undertake. It involves sound insulation, acoustic foam, etc. Acoustic foam can be quite affordable and easy to place on the walls. You also don't have to cover every inch of your wall; just key areas that create the soundest bounce. This would depend on where your speakers are placed, but mind the corners of the room and prioritize the upper half of the walls. However, it is still an extra step that not everybody wants to take.                                                                                                       

If you don’t want to go through all that and still want to have a decent viewing experience, there are more practical and DIY-friendly ways to make the sound quality better. Remember the three C’s: curtains, carpets, and cushions. These are things you already have around the house or are easy and affordable to purchase. Each of these things also serves a double purpose, so you get the most out of your money.

Placing a curtain in front of the room’s door adds an extra layer of soundproofing that a plain door does not have. Instead of sound bouncing off your door’s flat surface, the curtain absorbs the sound. This also applies to any windows there might be in the room. Make sure that you choose thick curtains so that they can block out the sun and absorb sound better.

Carpets are also great for sound absorption. Not only that, but carpets just make it feel more like a movie theater. Wall-to-wall carpet is okay, but it is a hassle to install, and the upkeep is hard. Instead, you can just have area rugs in key areas of the room. Aside from its very practical sound-absorbing properties, they will make the room feel cozier and more inviting. Lastly, cushions will not only help you be more comfortable, but they’re great for acoustics. They’re thick and can absorb sound very well. You do not have to worry so much about echoes.

In theaters, we have these seats that are usually covered in stains from drinks, snacks, and the sweat of strangers. Thankfully, you're building a theater room inside your own home, so you can change that. You can have comfortable chairs from recliners to floor cushions. It depends upon your personal preferences.

Of course, we can assume that everybody wants to be comfortable while watching a film. If you want a more masculine, formal, or modern theme, you can opt for recliner chairs or a beautiful sectional. 

If you also prefer minimalist color palettes, it would be better to choose darker or neutral colors. These colors are easier on the eyes and easier to match with other pieces you might want in your home cinema. 

You can also opt for a more Moroccan feel if your interior design style is more eclectic or bohemian. This means plenty of floor pillows plenty of patterned cushions. This means low-rise seating. You can also layer rugs on top of each other to create a cozier environment.