There really is nothing quite like getting a group of friends or family together and watching a good film. The trouble is, going to the cinema isn’t the glamorous experience that it used to be, not to mention the fact that it is becoming increasingly expensive to buy a cinema ticket, with the average price currently standing at £7.22, not to mention the extortionate prices of the additional extras at the cinema such as popcorn and drinks – its a pretty costly pursuit. Moreover, with new releases typically being released on blu-ray or DVD not long after they leave the screen, you really can see why more and more people are opting to install a home cinema and why this is an ever-appealing option. However, creating a home-screening room, or even capturing a sense of cinematic experience in a living room, is often about more than just installing the right equipment.
In this blog, we outline to you some simple, easy things you can do to create the perfect home cinema that you, your family and friends are sure to love.
Select the perfect space
Prior to buying the essential components necessary for your home cinema, it’s worth noting that you will need a particular room or area of the house in mind for it. This will give you the pace to consider other elements that will make this the ideal cinema environment.
Make sure that you consider elements such as lighting, carpeting, the sizing of the room and where furniture will be placed. Another key point to consider is ambient lighting; it is possible that this will lead to screen glare and, in some cases, surface reflection, so, with this in mind, if you’re planning on using a light room you’ll also need to factor in further additions such as black-out curtains.
For bigger projects, you’ll want to have a dedicated room, with areas like a loft conversion or garage often being perfect and conveniently set apart from the rest of the house. If you are fortunate enough to live in a warmer climate, outdoor cinemas are a great DIY project to carry out. They can be created in gardens or out buildings. However, if a dedicated room for your home cinema isn’t doable, you always have the option of upgrading your kitchen/living room space to a multipurpose viewing area.
You need a good speaker system
In terms of importance, the speaker system ranks pretty highly in your home cinema setup. Loudspeakers as well as subwoofers are important factors for your home cinema. The key to finding your ideal speakers is taking your individual needs into consideration. For example, there are specific types of speakers that work better in bigger rooms, whereas others are more suited to smaller areas. It’s in your best interest to research various types and look into what would best suit your needs. A subwoofer is another ideal investment. This will look after any low frequencies and also create more of a cinematic and dramatic effect for your audio system. Similarly to loudspeakers, different types of subwoofers are made to suit different spaces. You may not have considered this, but certain subwoofers work well in rooms with softer furnishings, whereas others are best in rooms with hardwood flooring.
Consider the acoustics
A key thing you need to be considering in terms of your home cinema design is the acoustics. Most films are at their best when the audio is top quality, so making sure your acoustics are top quality will offer you the strongest home cinema viewing experience.
When it comes to planning the interiors of the room and selecting your furnishings, be sure to take the acoustics into consideration. Different materials absorb sound differently, so, when picking your furniture make sure that you have this in mind. It’s also definitely worth adding solid doors and soundproofing in order to detract from external noises.
A screen to suit the space
Much like the other factors mentioned above, the most suitable screen option for you will largely be dependant on your space. So, when selecting out the right size for your area, use the following formula. Look at how far back your seats will be from the screen and times the distance by 1.5 to 2.5 – this should indicate to you the ideal diagonal screen size.
Some of the most popular options for visuals of home cinema installations vary from a video projector, a flat panel OLED, Plasma, or LCD TV. To guarantee clear definition, we recommend that you opt for a screen that can handle 4k Ultra HD, 1080p or 720p resolution. Moreover home cinema installations often include 3D technology, which can be created with the addition of a 3D video projector, or a TV with 3D capabilities.
Comfy seating
The best way to unwind and enjoy a film is undoubtedly in absolute comfort. In terms of home cinema seating, the possibilities really are endless. You can get yourself a set of plush, reclining cinema chairs. You could even get seating that comes with the addition of footrests, cup holders and in-built side tables. If you wanted to really indulge you could invest in an electric model where you can recline with the touch of a button, grab yourself an ice cold beverage from a nicely concealed armrest mini fridge and even luxuriate with a tension-melting massage chair.
To elevate your seating to the next level, why not add a platform at the back of your cinema room to create tiered cinema seating, to really make it feel like a real cinema and also ensure everyone has a perfect view.
A suitable colour pallette
The colour you choose to paint your home cinema is entirely up to you and dependant on the kind of theme you wish to go for. For a classic old Hollywood aesthetic, why not opt for a dark velvety midnight blue or azure green paint colour with rich oak paneling and gold accent features. Amp up the theme with chandeliers, theatrical velvet curtains, framed vintage movie posters or black and white photographs of your favourite film stars and starlets.
For a chic, modern look you can’t go wrong with simple grey or navy blue walls, a starry sky effect fibre optic ceiling and LED strip lighting in bulkheads and skirting. For a more minimalist, calm and timeless screening room, go for a largely neutral colour palette with chic modern furnishings.
Plan for the future
Technology is constantly moving forward. So, if your home cinema is decked out with the most modern state of the art technology, you can guarantee there will be newer models in a couple of years time. However, don’t be disheartened by this, as you can prepare for updates to home cinema tech by making sure that your space is future-proof.
What we mean by this is that there are many extra conduits which you can apply to your cinema space to help prepare for advancements in years to come. Think about factors such as wireless technology capabilities and factor in how easily you’ll be able to upgrade your sound system and screen when the time finally swings around. Sure, your speakers might look great hidden within the wall, but what about if you want to swap them for something new in the future?
South Wales Aerials – we offer quality aerial installation as well as home entertainment installation
As a company with plenty of experience, South Wales TV Aerials has the skill and knowledge to install the finest media rooms. Our team of skilled engineers can offer you a home cinema installation designed around your specific room and requirements. Our bespoke solutions provide unique options for your system to meet your individual requirements. From acoustic design to AV installation, you can create the perfect home cinema installation.
We offer the highest standard of interior, acoustic and ergonomic design. We ensure that we make a real difference between an average home cinema and a work of art that is a natural extension of your home. With the best technological advances available, our expert engineers make it possible for you to control your system using your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. To find out more about our vast range of services, please get in touch today.