After that Godfather marathon or binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix, you might feel fatigue, have a crick in your neck, or even a headache. If so, you might be the victim of bad home theater design! A few simple adjustments and you’ll be on the road to a more comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Get the Best Seats in the House
The right seating is one of the most important considerations for any home theater design. That’s because it’s largely to credit for your comfort. For one, if you have more than one row of seating you need to make sure that you have the proper viewing angles and unobstructed sight lines to the screen.
This might mean installing a riser or two so that those from the second row back don’t have to strain to see the screen. A good electronic systems contractor will make sure that the risers plus seating combine to give proper viewing clearance for the back rows, and that the back row has adequate headroom. Trying to force as many seats as possible only leads to making the room feel cramped and claustrophobic.
It’s All About the Materials
That shade of Eggshell White really pops, but did you know it can take away to the image on the screen? Bright wall colors tend to reflect light back onto the screen, washing out the picture. Dark or neutral shades minimize light reflection and screen coloration. Also consider sound when selecting your surface materials. Hardwood floors or concrete will reflect sound, making the room sound like a basketball court. Temper them with plush, luxurious seating, pillows, drapes, or opt for carpet—all of which absorb sound. For more on material, read our blog about selecting seating materials, here.
Just Say No to Wire
Whether you have a dedicated home theater or a casual media room, one of the biggest no-nos is exposed wiring. They’re not only an eyesore, but can be a safety hazard when running across floors or jumbled in a ball behind a media console. For best results, wires should be hidden inside walls, which most likely means snaking cable from your display and speakers to your components.
Call an Electronics Contractor at Blueprint Phase
Rarely, the call to the electronic systems contractor is the first one a homeowner makes when he or she is embarking on a new home or remodel. More often than not, that honor is bestowed upon the builder or architect. We recommend talking to an electronic systems contractor early in the design process so that you can make sure your home theater is installed without a hitch. These professionals will be up on the latest designs, technologies, and building trends and guide you through the process.
Make sure to address seating early in the conversation with your systems contractor, as well. That’s because the size of the screen and type of projector could be affected by the number of seats you want in your theater. Why? Theater seating requires a certain amount of floor space to provide for proper sight lines and comfort. Knowing the seating layout and how much room it will require assists you in determining the right projector and screen size. Knowing what seating you want early will allow you to plan the room better, which will allow you to avoid last minute sacrifices due to space problems.
These are just a few of our tips for making your home theater better. We hope you are inspired to make the most of your environment. If you’d like to learn more, give us a call or come in! We’re excited to share our passion with you.