Got a spare room going to waste? Are you a lover of all things film? Whether you’re streaming the latest boxsets or you’re eagerly anticipating Netflix’s latest offering, cramming together on that small living room sofa and trying to get the sound levels just right can really dampen the experience.
So, if you’ve got space to spare and you want to enjoy your love of film and TV fully, then why not transform that spare room into the ultimate home cinema experience? Believe it or not, you don’t have to spend thousands to create a home theatre. However, you will need time and dedication in abundance, but it’ll be worth it!
Read on for how to create the perfect home-cinema room with these essential tips.
Get the lighting right
When you have a home-cinema, getting the lighting right is crucial. You’re going to need something for practical reasons and for ambience when the main lights are low, but you want to be able to make your way to the bathroom. This is where LED lights come in. LED lights and bulbs – you can pick up a gu10 bulb, here – are perfect for enhancing the home cinema experience.
They’re stylish and work with any aesthetic, they’re versatile which means you can have anything from spotlights to ceiling fittings, strip lights and dimmer options, and even smart accessories to really personalise the experience. Ambient lighting is essential so don’t miss this crucial step!
Control the sound
There’s nothing worse than reaching that pivotal moment in a movie when suddenly the dishwasher starts beeping. Or your neighbour’s dog starts barking. It’s incredibly frustrating and not something that can be easily remedied. However, you can improve the sound quality of your home-cinema with some simple structural changes. Like swapping out hollow doors for solid ones, adding a second layer of plasterboard or adding soundproofing materials to the walls of the room.
Comfort
If you’re setting up for a movie marathon or a boxset binge you need to be comfortable. So, consider what kind of seating you’re planning to have. Depending on the complexity of your project, tiered seating would be ideal, however, if your home-cinema is a little more modest, then consider a new sofa or some large armchairs that support your back and your legs! Plenty of cushions and cosy blankets for those rom coms are also advisable!
Projector or TV?
Depending on your budget you may decide to opt for a widescreen TV with surround sound to enhance the viewing experience. Or if you’re looking for something practical then a TV projector can easily be hidden away. Especially from your kids and their sticky hands!
Finally, don’t distract from the screen
Keep your home-cinema clutter-free and forget knick-knacks and trinkets. Put up some movie posters by all means but try not to take focus away from the screen! If you do have accessories and decorative items, keep them behind the audience and out of their field of vision.
