With studios like Warner Bros releasing big titles on streaming platforms on the same day as theaters, building the perfect home cinema has never been more apparent.
Disney, too, has a vast collection of tv shows with Dolby Atmos capabilities to deliver the ultimate theater experience. But we can all agree that you won’t do these titles any justice unless you watch them from a dedicated home cinema.
The good news is that building a home cinema is easier now than ever before. If you have an unlimited budget, you can easily create the ultimate home cinema that’ll make theaters a thing of the past. You can also build an amazing theater even with a moderate budget. It won’t be super luxurious, but you’ll secure the key pieces, i.e., surround sound system, television/projector, and the seats.
Here are some tips to help you out with this exciting project.
1. Choosing A Location
One of the key questions you’ll need to answer in the early stages of the project is whether to create a dedicated home cinema space or a multipurpose room. Both cases can deliver an immersive experience when executed properly. However, a dedicated home cinema is much better. Why? Because you don’t have to worry about any other functions that could compromise your experience.
Another consideration is the number of people using the cinema. If you are expecting to enjoy the latest MCU films and shows with your friends, then you need a slightly bigger room. If you’re only thinking of yourself and a few family members, then you can make do with a relatively small garage/basement space. Besides the space, you also need to think about the layout of the room. How will you set up the furniture? Where will your massive OLED tv fit? If you are using a projector, do you have enough space for it?
Keep these factors in mind when picking a location.
2. Choosing A Sound System
A cinema home won’t be complete without a proper surround sound system. Luckily, there are plenty of these systems on the market. Plus, they come at different prices, so you should get the perfect match for your budget. If you don’t have a lot to spend on the sound system, go for at least a 5.1 system. That’s five satellite speakers and one subwoofer.
If you have a few bucks to spare, go big with a full Dolby Atmos home theater system. One that comes with overhead speakers with high res audio. The helicopters and aircraft in your blockbuster and Sci-Fi films will feel pretty vivid.
3. Television Vs. Projector
Of course, a home cinema needs a big television. But how big do you want to go? Around 70 to 85 inches is good enough for most home cinemas. But there are more options if you want to go bigger than that.
Besides the monstrosity that is Samsung’s 246-inch The Wall, you can also invest in a projector. But be sure to do your calculation beforehand. And don’t just consider the real estate for housing the big tv or projector. Think about the watching angles and viewing distance. You don’t want to end up with a massive tv that you can’t enjoy comfortably.
4. Picking Your Furniture
There are two paths you could take here. One is to go with the usual theater armchairs. These can get the job, but they may be too formal for some people. If that’s what you feel, then go for sofas. Choose some comfortable sofas that you can spend hours on without experiencing aches or other similar issues.
You can also hire experts to help you find the perfect seating design. Some home automation installers can design the cinema for you and supply the furniture. They’ll also help you out with cable management and all that stuff at a fee.
5. Choosing The Lighting
Lighting affects the mood of your theater. First, you need to take care of external lighting. You should be able to block the light from other rooms with ease.
Second, you’ll need to think about the right lighting inside your cinema. If you like watching your movies with ambient lights, then, by all means, install them.
6. Soundproofing
Soundproof the cinema to avoid disturbing other activities in the house. This also helps to prevent external noises from making their way into the cinema.
There are various ways of soundproofing a room. Absorbent acoustic panels, upholstered walls, automated blinds, and thick curtains are some of the best soundproofing solutions.
7. Decor
Lastly, think about the mood you want to create for your cinema. What decor would you like for your cinema? Do you want some movie posters?
Get as creative as you want with the decorations. But avoid anything that affects sound quality. Also, you don’t want loose items that’ll rattle every time there’s an explosion from your subwoofer.
The beauty of building a home cinema today is there are plenty of options to go for. You can repurpose your basement or garage and use an affordable OLED tv and surround sound system with a minimalist budget. You can also go all out if your bank account allows. The possibilities are virtually endless.