Recreating the cinema experience in your home has been possible for many years, but now it is becoming more affordable and practical.
A media room dedicated to watching TV or films or playing console games is an excellent space for the entire family to relax and enjoy the latest entertainment on offer.
Setting aside a specific room for media consumption allows you to fully enjoy what you’re watching and appreciate the deep experience the director or game designer had in mind while leaving the rest of your family undisturbed. Fully kitting out a media room can also make it less useful for other purposes, so a dedicated room is ideal. Here are some ideas for making the most of your media room.
Focus on screen size
Media is inarguably better consumed on a large screen, so it is worth investing in a projector or a very large television. Having plenty of screen space makes any film or game a lot punchier compared to a smaller screen. Don’t fall into the trap of focusing solely on screen size, however; a good-quality projector or television screen is equally essential because you don’t want milky blacks or faded colours while enjoying your favourite content.
Get the room properly connected
The days of consuming media using a silver disc as a source are drawing to a close. Games and videos are increasingly being downloaded from the internet, so make sure your media room has a very good internet connection. Ideally, you should install Ethernet cables to ensure a quick, wired connection for your devices including your TV, games console and any other media players. You might also want to install a wireless access point so you can easily access complementary media on mobile devices.
Eliminate external light with window shutters
Watching films in the dark is essential, and blinds and curtains are not always effective in closing off a window area from sunlight. Instead, consider installing window shutters. A classic MDF shutter can completely block out light when correctly installed and has the benefit of keeping outside noise to a minimum. If you are using the room for multiple purposes, window shutters allow you to turn it into a bright and airy space with ease.
Plan for storage
A media room involves many connected devices, ranging from your projector and audio equipment to games consoles. To prevent clutter from distracting from your media experience, plan for sufficient storage to keep everything tidy. Opt for wireless audio devices if you can or carefully tidy away any loose speaker cables. You might still be accumulating discs with games and films, so include some shelves if that is the case.
Comfortable seating is essential
Think about how many people will be enjoying media content in the room. If you have enough space and plan to watch a lot of films, cinema-style seating could be ideal, truly recreating the feeling of watching films in your own home. If you are more focused on game play and have a smaller room, you could opt for a smattering of bean bags and comfortable cushions. If your family will use the media room mostly for watching movies together, opt for one or two large, comfortable couches.
Think of the acoustics
If you are taking your media very seriously, you need to also think about the acoustics of the room. Flat, reflective walls can ruin the sound effects of your favourite film, so consider adding acoustic panels to dampen the sound. These can also help with insulation so that loud films do not disturb the rest of the household. A good audio system is also essential to a dedicated media room; don’t rely on television speakers or a cheap sound bar.
Consider the room’s theme and décor
Keep in mind that good cinemas are always styled in a top-notch manner. Your media room should also be an elegant place to relax and indulge in your favourite TV show, film or game. It is easy to forget about the style of the room and focus only on the technology, but the ambience of your media room is equally important, so spend a bit of time thinking about the wall colours, carpeting and furniture style.
Families spend a lot of time consuming media, whether it is in the form of television shows, console games or films. Setting up a specific room where media of all kinds can be fully enjoyed is becoming very common, and getting the details right can make the experience much more intense. Plan your media room thoughtfully, and you’ll be on course for creating an intense entertainment experience in your own home.