Have you been to a movie lately? It’s expensive! For a family of four, even before the obligatory popcorn and treats, it’s close to $50! But it is a pleasure to watch a movie in comfort and with great sound and visuals…
These days, many of us have large, high resolution TVs, but we don’t have the ideal setting to really enjoy a movie, favourite TV show or the big game. So how about creating a home theatre right in your home? It can be done – even on a budget – and will provide years of fun and relaxation for you and your family.
Start with a Great TV and Then…
Here are a few things to consider:
Speak up. Speakers matter, so invest in quality. Surround sound is surprisingly easy to set up. The most popular format is 5.1. This means there are five small speakers: two on either side of the screen, one in the centre and the two rear corners, plus one larger sub-woofer mounted in the corner. Visit an electronics store. They love talking about these things and will have lots of advice. But don’t go overboard – it’s easy to overpower a small room.
Silence is golden. Your goal is to contain sound within the room and minimize outside noises. Acoustic tiles on your ceiling will absorb sound – and they are inexpensive. Try to find black for real theatre style. You’ll also need to cover the drywall on your walls. Most home improvement stores carry lightweight acoustic boards. A carpet installer can give you the theatre look by covering them with thin carpeting.
Draw the shades. Room darkening shades are a cost effective solution to block out light. Curtain over top will block even more light, but may be unnecessary if your theatre is in a basement.
Comfy carpet. Think plushy carpet – for acoustics and for comfort. Just don’t spill the pop!!
Colour commentary. Start with your black ceiling and continue with dark walls, maybe a deep maroon or navy. The carpet can be lighter to open up the space and keep the room from becoming too claustrophobic.
Dim all the lights. Dimmable is preferable. You want light before and after your show, but not during. Dimmable lighting solves the problem. Have the light shine on the walls and floor, not the ceiling. Make life easy and wire your dimmer to a remote control. No stumbling in the dark!
Add personality! Add some movie posters to the walls or decorate in an old Hollywood theme; make it your special room!
G
et comfy. Nothing matters more than the right seating. Go all out on comfort – it’s surprisingly affordable. Stoney Creek Furniture has some great options for home theatre seating. If you have a bigger room, consider adding a second group of recliners on a higher level behind the first grouping. There is a great variety of features to choose from – fabric/leather, foot rest options, illuminated cup holders, manual/power recline and much more. Come and see what’s available! You’ll be inspired to get started on creating your home theatre!
Adding a home theatre is a great investment and will enhance the value of your home. But what’s more important is the quality time you’ll spend there with family and friends. Pass the popcorn please!
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