Home Theater Tips and Ideas
Don't overdo it when it comes to theater accessories. A few framed movie posters in a frame that matches your style, whether modern, classic or relaxed, can make the room pop. For a little extra style, put a few antique film projectors on a shelf, or put a modern popcorn maker in the corner. Even though the lights are usually off, don't neglect them. Recessed lights are unobtrusive, but consider a few grand chandeliers for a classic space or some slick Art Deco sconces for a modern space. Hanging lights should not obstruct the view while seated and sconces should sit about 6-feet from the ground.
Most theater rooms don't have windows, which makes viewing the screen easier. But even without windows, curtains are a nice way to soften the look of the room. Frame the screen area with a pair of curtains. Regardless of whether the screen takes up the whole wall or if it is just a big screen television, curtains give them room the traditional theater look and can be used to hide electronics. To make the curtains compliment the walls, use fabric in a slightly darker shade than you used on the walls.
Walls should be dark and fairly muted. Bright colors like neon yellow, tangerine orange, spring green or white will distract from the screen even when the lights are turned low. Gray, dark brown, burgundy or dark beige are ideal, but dark green, blue or violet can also work well. Use matte paint to prevent any light reflection bouncing off of the screen. For serious audiophiles, use sound-absorbing materials on the walls in the same color as your chosen paint color.
In past decades, most theater rooms used the traditional single-chair recliner for seating. But today, any sort of seating goes, from beanbag chairs to structured sofas. The key is to choose furniture that matches the style of the room. For a lounge-vibe choose dark beanbag chairs for the front of the room and a few soft, unstructured sofas in the back. In a modern room, choose a few modern sofas and a few modern chairs. For a traditional theater, use a handful of recliners. Keep in mind that there should be 6-inches between chairs and a 3-foot perimeter around the room. There should also be at least 18-inches between the edge of the chair and the seat back in front of it.
Q