10 Stylish and Comfortable Home Theaters
Find ideas for seating arrangements, furnishings and more in spaces large and small
Turning your family room or basement into a dedicated home theater can enhance the way you and your family enjoy your favorite TV shows, movies, sporting events and video games. In these 10 theater rooms, designers and builders on Houzz added stadium seating, high-tech remote systems and sound-enhancing elements to create media spaces in a range of sizes and styles and with different layouts. Take a look at these home theaters, then tell us in the Comments which one inspires you the most.
2. Light Wood and Neutrals Get Cozy
Devco Homes gave this Corona Del Mar, California, home a relaxed theater room that’s cozy and a little bit country. A nine-panel screen is perfect for watching sports or movies on the light fabric-upholstered sofa and wooden lounge chair with plush cushions. Rattan armchairs next to the screen can be used to turn this media space into a conversation area.
A tall ribbed floor lamp near the large cased opening can give the room a warm glow when needed. And glass doors that let in outside light can be easily covered to darken the room for an immersive experience. Neutral walls and floors, along with textured white oak furniture and ceramics, strike a relaxed tone in this nontraditional theater room.
Devco Homes gave this Corona Del Mar, California, home a relaxed theater room that’s cozy and a little bit country. A nine-panel screen is perfect for watching sports or movies on the light fabric-upholstered sofa and wooden lounge chair with plush cushions. Rattan armchairs next to the screen can be used to turn this media space into a conversation area.
A tall ribbed floor lamp near the large cased opening can give the room a warm glow when needed. And glass doors that let in outside light can be easily covered to darken the room for an immersive experience. Neutral walls and floors, along with textured white oak furniture and ceramics, strike a relaxed tone in this nontraditional theater room.
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3. Creamy Palette With Dark Wood
A hallway of classic film posters in this Mediterranean home in California leads to the theater’s arched dark wood double doors, opening to creamy beige walls, seating and carpet.
Two rows of stadium-style beige sofas with throw pillows in different patterns and fabrics make even the longest films comfortable to sit through. In the front row is a bench that doubles as a tabletop, plus an open space for small children to play with toys.
Design-build firm The Hakoopians used built-in cabinets painted the same color as the walls, with crown moldings and trim, to hide AV equipment and storage. For those watching movies, the deep tray ceiling adds a stunning shadow effect above and below. Sound bounces off the ceiling’s surfaces and enhances film effects.
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A hallway of classic film posters in this Mediterranean home in California leads to the theater’s arched dark wood double doors, opening to creamy beige walls, seating and carpet.
Two rows of stadium-style beige sofas with throw pillows in different patterns and fabrics make even the longest films comfortable to sit through. In the front row is a bench that doubles as a tabletop, plus an open space for small children to play with toys.
Design-build firm The Hakoopians used built-in cabinets painted the same color as the walls, with crown moldings and trim, to hide AV equipment and storage. For those watching movies, the deep tray ceiling adds a stunning shadow effect above and below. Sound bounces off the ceiling’s surfaces and enhances film effects.
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4. Warm Gray Hues in the Mountains
In this mountain-modern home theater in Teton Village, Wyoming, Katie Merritt of KAM Designs used upper and lower decks with large gray sofas to create stadium seating with clear views of the screen. Safety lights on the stairs leading to the top level turn on when the room is dark. Motorized blackout shades, dimmable lighting and a projector managed by a high-tech control system make it easy to turn off the lights and press Play.
To find the best distance and viewing angle from the seating to the screen, it’s helpful to use a projector calculator tool, although Merritt says there are some best practices to keep in mind. “The recommendation for the optimum viewing angle for a home theater ranges from about 30 to 40 degrees,” she says. This refers to the angle of vision from where people are seated to the screen. She also recommends that the bottom of the screen be 30 to 40 inches off the floor to prevent neck or eye strain.
In this mountain-modern home theater in Teton Village, Wyoming, Katie Merritt of KAM Designs used upper and lower decks with large gray sofas to create stadium seating with clear views of the screen. Safety lights on the stairs leading to the top level turn on when the room is dark. Motorized blackout shades, dimmable lighting and a projector managed by a high-tech control system make it easy to turn off the lights and press Play.
To find the best distance and viewing angle from the seating to the screen, it’s helpful to use a projector calculator tool, although Merritt says there are some best practices to keep in mind. “The recommendation for the optimum viewing angle for a home theater ranges from about 30 to 40 degrees,” she says. This refers to the angle of vision from where people are seated to the screen. She also recommends that the bottom of the screen be 30 to 40 inches off the floor to prevent neck or eye strain.
5. Immersed in Blue
Beautiful, calming blues cover the walls in this Texas home theater by Symmetry Architects. This vibrant matte hue can handle sunlight and darkness equally well. Beige and gray carpeting balances the expanse of color with neutral tones.
A light gray L-shaped sectional with plush cushions and blue throw pillows makes for a comfortable experience sitting in front of the projector screen. Dual speakers sit flush with the wall. A gold-lined table and velvet chairs offer a space for sitting and eating.
Beautiful, calming blues cover the walls in this Texas home theater by Symmetry Architects. This vibrant matte hue can handle sunlight and darkness equally well. Beige and gray carpeting balances the expanse of color with neutral tones.
A light gray L-shaped sectional with plush cushions and blue throw pillows makes for a comfortable experience sitting in front of the projector screen. Dual speakers sit flush with the wall. A gold-lined table and velvet chairs offer a space for sitting and eating.
6. Symmetry in the Dark
“Transitional, dark and moody” describes this Austin, Texas, media room. “We wanted the lighting to set the mood for the space, so we added a decorative flush mount in the center of the room and wall sconces throughout to create a softer feel that mimics a movie theater,” interior designer Jamie Naugle says.
Beanbags in the front row and a U-shaped velvet sectional at the back seat at least five viewers. The symmetrical sides of the sofa surround a small snack table, while a wall-to-wall wool rug that mimics natural sisal helps absorb sound.
“Transitional, dark and moody” describes this Austin, Texas, media room. “We wanted the lighting to set the mood for the space, so we added a decorative flush mount in the center of the room and wall sconces throughout to create a softer feel that mimics a movie theater,” interior designer Jamie Naugle says.
Beanbags in the front row and a U-shaped velvet sectional at the back seat at least five viewers. The symmetrical sides of the sofa surround a small snack table, while a wall-to-wall wool rug that mimics natural sisal helps absorb sound.
7. Down Home and Traditional
Jinx McDonald Interior Designs used plantation shutters and blue-and-beige draperies with blackout linings to darken this bright coastal-style home theater in Fort Myers, Florida.
A large projector and screen create an immersive cinematic experience, while swivel chairs and a cream sectional upholstered in a neutral performance fabric give the homeowners comfortable seating options. Ample walk space behind the furniture minimizes disruptions and obstructed views.
Jinx McDonald Interior Designs used plantation shutters and blue-and-beige draperies with blackout linings to darken this bright coastal-style home theater in Fort Myers, Florida.
A large projector and screen create an immersive cinematic experience, while swivel chairs and a cream sectional upholstered in a neutral performance fabric give the homeowners comfortable seating options. Ample walk space behind the furniture minimizes disruptions and obstructed views.
8. Brick House Theater
Situated on the lower level of a sprawling abode by BGD&C Custom Homes is this media room with mixed materials and personal touches for a Chicago couple. Brick walls that match the home’s facade, stained concrete floors, and seating in gray fabric and yellow leather add layers of texture and character.
An overhead projector for watching movies and shows on the big screen hangs at the opening of an elevated cutout area at the back of the room, with restaurant-style wall bench seating and a wide table for dining, playing board games and having conversations. Recessed lighting and wall sconces illuminate a wide gallery wall of framed art and keep light in the rear from interrupting the movie playing up front.
Situated on the lower level of a sprawling abode by BGD&C Custom Homes is this media room with mixed materials and personal touches for a Chicago couple. Brick walls that match the home’s facade, stained concrete floors, and seating in gray fabric and yellow leather add layers of texture and character.
An overhead projector for watching movies and shows on the big screen hangs at the opening of an elevated cutout area at the back of the room, with restaurant-style wall bench seating and a wide table for dining, playing board games and having conversations. Recessed lighting and wall sconces illuminate a wide gallery wall of framed art and keep light in the rear from interrupting the movie playing up front.
9. Bubbles in Bright Hues
Traci Connell Interiors and the owners of this Dallas home searched Houzz for inspiration to make a playful and sophisticated modern theater room. The result is this split-level steel gray room with bright red, purple, yellow and white bubble seating and accents. The abstract placement of the low sofas makes them easy to move around the space for better viewing angles of the screen or to engage in conversation. Walls with extra insulation and sculptural art throughout dampen echos and help contain noise.
Traci Connell Interiors and the owners of this Dallas home searched Houzz for inspiration to make a playful and sophisticated modern theater room. The result is this split-level steel gray room with bright red, purple, yellow and white bubble seating and accents. The abstract placement of the low sofas makes them easy to move around the space for better viewing angles of the screen or to engage in conversation. Walls with extra insulation and sculptural art throughout dampen echos and help contain noise.
10. Moody in Metal, Wood and Velvet
Ellie Mroz Design and Michael Robert Construction built this Westfield, New Jersey, home theater with stadium seating to maximize views using a covered wooden platform that also enhances sound effects by transmitting vibrations beneath viewers’ feet.
Two L-shaped velvet sectionals, edged by metal side tables for drinks and snacks, lead to a lower-level love seat that’s front row center. A fun fishy wallpaper clads a portion of the walls and adds a bit of whimsy to this dark basement theater.
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Ellie Mroz Design and Michael Robert Construction built this Westfield, New Jersey, home theater with stadium seating to maximize views using a covered wooden platform that also enhances sound effects by transmitting vibrations beneath viewers’ feet.
Two L-shaped velvet sectionals, edged by metal side tables for drinks and snacks, lead to a lower-level love seat that’s front row center. A fun fishy wallpaper clads a portion of the walls and adds a bit of whimsy to this dark basement theater.
More on Houzz
Read more stories on media rooms
Browse photos for inspiration
Find an interior designer
Shop for your home
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This open-concept Farmington, Utah, home theater by Ezra Lee Design+Build has great circulation space for when the homeowners entertain large groups. Dark leather sofas with wide cushions that recline for extra comfort add to the cinematic experience, while blue corner lounge seats swivel for good views of the screen. A long black-and-white marble bar table has six high chairs for more seating in the back.
Eye-catching wood columns at the front of the room frame the viewing area. At the back of the room is a wet bar, a dishwasher, a microwave and counter space for preparing and serving food and drinks. Cork wallcovering with a metallic finish adds a decorative touch and absorbs sound.
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