Do you have an extra room in your home that you’d like to turn into a dedicated space for entertainment? Designing a media room is a fun project, but it’s best to have a clear idea of what you need and want before you begin. Whether you’re creating a space for movie nights, small gatherings or just a place to relax after a long day, a media room can be an exciting upgrade for households of any size and people of any age. This guide will help you design a media room that will be a perfect place to decompress and have fun in the comfort of your own home.
Choosing the right space
The first step is deciding which room in your house you’d like to turn into your media room. If you don’t have an entire room to dedicate to entertaining, you can easily create a media corner in a guest room or living room. Though any type of room can technically be transformed into a media room, there are a few important things to consider about the shape and design of the space that can have a major impact on your experience.
For instance, experts recommend staying away from square rooms, as this shape can diminish sound quality. You will also want to consider the flooring of the room. Hardwood or tile floors bounce sound around, so they’re not ideal for a media room. For the sake of your entertainment experience, you should have carpet installed or choose to set a place that already has carpet.
Don’t forget to consider the room’s natural light. If you have any windows in the room, make sure you place your TV on a wall that won’t pick up glare or invest in high-quality blackout curtains. You should also consider the ventilation in your media room. Experts recommend choosing a room with a good ceiling vent system to help keep your equipment cool and avoid overheating.
Invest in the best technology
Whether you’re using your media room as an all-encompassing gaming, theater and entertainment space or prefer to make it a dedicated home theater, investing in high-quality equipment will elevate your experience.
There are three main types of technologies to choose from when it comes to shopping for a television: LED, LCD and plasma. LED and LCD are ideal in a space that receives a lot of natural light. Plasma displays are not as bright as LED and LCD displays, but they typically have better viewing angles and provide more contrasted images.
If you really want to recreate the full experience of going to a movie theater, invest in a surround-sound speaker system. Experts recommend a 5.1 or 7.1 surround system, which includes 5 or 7 speakers plus a subwoofer. If you’re extra design-minded, opt for in-wall or in-ceiling speakers that will eliminate the hassle of trying to hide wires. Freestanding and bookshelf speakers are also popular options, though you’ll want to make sure you hide the wires to avoid tripping hazards (and aesthetic eyesores). Wireless options, such as a sound bar, can be an alternative to these options, though sound quality can vary depending on which model you buy.
Finally, look for a universal remote that you can have set up to operate many technologies without having to switch remotes or find the right one every time.
Selecting the right furniture and décor
The furniture you select for decorating your media room will largely depend on how you plan to use the room. For a dedicated home movie theater, consider purchasing high-quality lounge chairs that mimic the feeling of being in a nice cinema. Some chairs even come with built-in speakers on the arm to enhance the surround-sound experience.
If you’re planning on using your media room for more social activities or small gatherings, opt for a few pieces of furniture that can be easily moved around to create extra space. Bean bags and large pillows may also be fun, cozy additions to bring out if you need a bit of extra seating.
The way you design your media room not only impacts the ambience and coziness – it can enhance your experience as well. Fluffy rugs, plush sofas and extra drapery can double as sound-absorbent décor. Darker paint on the walls will minimize the amount of reflection and allow for richer images when using your TV.
What if I don’t have an entire room available?
If you don’t have one room in your house that you’re willing and able to convert into a dedicated media room, no worries – you can easily upgrade your living room or create a media corner in an existing room. The key is to optimize your space by choosing furnishings and entertainment systems that won’t take up too much room and can easily be moved around.
For instance, you may want to use a wall bracket for your TV rather than placing it in a large entertainment center. If you already have a closet in the room, make some space in there to store things like games, DVDs and extra equipment.
Wiring your electronic connections into one HDMI switcher will also help you avoid the clutter that can come from excessive cords and wires.
Ultimately, designing a media room should be a fun project that allows you to create a space for you and your loved ones to create memories for years to come. Ready to find your dream home with plenty of room to build the media room you’ve always wanted? Explore our new homes in Henderson!