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pbobbitt

Media room needs an upgrade

last month

I need some help upgrading this media room. I'm considering painting the room a dark color & running 2.5 ft wall accents (with strip lights) up the walls connecting across the ceiling & down the other side; only where the sconces are. I pretty much like a minimalist/ contemporary style. Any thoughts?

Comments (21)

  • PRO
    last month

    Why would anyone want to watch the screen sideways??????? I think you need to begin with rearranging the seating in the room.


    Dark walls are the right direction.


    Lights should be kept to a minimum or they will reflect on the screen. I think you are on the wrong track.







    IMO having the strip light with NO direct light but diffusing the light from the back seems like a better solution.





  • last month

    Great ideas. I’m rearranging the furniture tonight. Love the linear lights too. Need a wall color Deep grey? Iron ore?

  • last month

    This isn't a media room. Media rooms are focused on a screen.... Your lighting plan seems awfully jazzy for a minimalist/ contemporary style. Sounds more 70s diso than minimalist. Dark walls for a true media room where not much else happens other than watching a screen. This room looks to be more of a lounge, informal living space. Before you got DARK be sure of it's use.

  • last month

    Agree with Beverly. This doesn’t look like a media room unless the media is books. Assumably you mean media as in screen-viewing, gaming, etc.

    Replace the furniture with viewing-type seating, reducing the current furnishings by half. The room seems very crowded. I see no need at all for sconce or strip lighting, unless it is to mark room exits.

  • last month

    Thanks for your critique. The current layout is the builder design & how we placed what we had upon move in. It was a temporary setup. Our intent is to upgrade to more of a media/bar hangout. No interest in anything 70's.

  • last month

    Before you think color and lighting you need to get a floor plan settled with actual final furniture you will be using. So please slow down a bit. If you post a dimensioned plan with everything noted you will get best advice.

  • last month

    And I see a double door and a single door. I’m assuming the double door is the main access point? What is behind the single door?

  • last month

    Yes, the double door is the main door. The single door leads to a hallway with 2ndry bedrooms. Guess I shouldv'e emptied the room before asking for assistance.

  • last month

    The design of the room is a bit limiting as a media room, as you don't have room for a large enough TV on the current wall due to the door. You could place a larger TV on one of the other walls, and just have one 4-seat reclining sofa (the kind that reclines forward and doesn't need too much space behind it).

  • PRO
    last month
    last modified: last month

    Charcoal walls, kitchenette painted in a soft black, TV wall cabinet, new sconces and decor.


  • last month

    Ooh, This is what I’m looking for! MAGNIFICENT! I can run with something like this. My exact floor plan. I LOVE IT!

  • last month

    That looks good lisedv - and with the TV moved to the o tbh er wall there would be room for a swivel lounge on that wall. OP make sure you do a table lamp in that corner as well since the sconces should be for mood and not interfere with TV viewing. Under cabinet light at the bar area is important too - all which is shown in that rendering.

  • last month

    I’d be inclined to paint the inside of the doors and that trim all to match the wall color. No white baseboard in the room either - it will look more balanced and will actually make the room feel bigger.

  • last month

    Paige - do you plan on using the sofa you have? That color does look good with your carpet. So, I’d suggest taking a cushion in to have it matched in a paint color and then do a darker shade of that color selection. Do not do a black black wall and trim color. Maybe look at SW Gauntlet Grey, thunder grey and black fox to get you started.

  • last month

    Thanks for the extra tips. I was debating baseboards & doors with the painter. I'm still wrestling with colors, but it won't be BLACK-BLACK. I'll chk the colors you suggested. I was thinking dimmable pendant lights over the bar area.?? Don't know about the sofas yet. While convenient because they expand into sofa beds; they have the chaise portion on the same side (problem) which makes arranging an issue. Plus, I don't want the room too crowed. Your suggestions are appreciated.

  • last month

    Definitely wait on the paint selection until you finalize your sofa. You can do undercabinet and above cabinet LED strip lighting but I don't see pendants there. Or a small table lamp in the corner on the counter - but, again - no to pendants.

  • last month

    Thanks. I'll scrap the pendants.

  • last month

    Should the inside of the doors be painted dark or left white?

  • PRO
    last month

    I agree with no pendants but you can do under cabinet lights. As to the white doors, I left them white as if they had been done in the dark colour like the room you wouldn't have been able to see them. In my opinion, they can be painted the same colour as the wall including the frame. Room in a matte finish, baseboards, doors and frames in satin.

  • last month

    For your situation I would do all trim and interior of doors in the room in the same dark tone as the walls (and I agree with the finishes that lisedv noted). But please post back once you know the sofa and final room arrangement. Doing a plan with all dimensions including the existing sconce placement is key to getting everything right.