Our REALTORS® can help you find a home with space for whatever you want to do. How you utilize that space is up to you. If you’re a film lover or just want to host some amazing movie nights with your friends, then one great option is to outfit your own home theater, complete with a big screen, comfortable seats, and surround sound. Here are some tips to help you create the ultimate venue for fall movie nights.
- Lights. The best place to put your theater is in the basement, as it has the least amount of natural light. Sunlight streaming through the windows will wash out the picture, making it hard to see. If you do have windows in your basement, cover them with blackout curtains. Then, install some smart LED lights that let you adjust the brightness and color to create the ambiance you want. It might also be helpful to install small strings of lights on the floor and up the stairs so people can navigate the room without having to turn on the lights and stop the movie.
- Sound. Nothing ruins a movie experience like unwanted noise. Whether it’s the dishwasher running upstairs, a plane flying overhead, or the neighbors throwing a loud party next door, you shouldn’t have to listen to it while watching your movie. That’s why it’s important to soundproof your home theater. If you want to do a full remodel, add an extra layer of drywall to filter out ambient noise. Or you can just line the walls with sound-absorbing foam panels. Next, install the speakers. A 5.1 surround-sound system is typical, with three speakers at the front near the screen and two behind the seating area.
- Seats. One of the most important parts of a home theater is comfortable seats. Consider how many people you might be hosting, be it immediate family or a large group of friends, and get enough seats to accommodate everyone. You can invest in theater-style seats, couches, recliners, or whatever you like. Just be sure everyone can be comfortable and has a place to put their drinks and snacks. Also, consider staggering the seats or spacing them out so you don’t have one person directly behind another. You can also install steps on the floor so each row is slightly elevated from the rows in front, giving everyone a clear view of the screen.
- Screen. Do you want a big flatscreen, or do you want to go all out with a full-sized projection screen and a high-quality projector mounted on the ceiling or behind the audience? If you choose the latter, be sure the room is big enough. How big should it be? Measure the diagonal size of the screen. Your closest seats should be at least 1.5 to 2 times that distance from the screen for an optimal viewing experience. For example, a 75-inch screen should have seats 9 to 12.5 feet away. Any closer and viewers might have to turn their heads to take in the entire picture. Ensure there’s additional space behind for more rows and comfortable legroom. If your home theater isn’t large enough to accommodate this distance, you might need a smaller screen.
However you want to use your new space, there are Nassau County homes for sale and Suffolk County homes for sale that can accommodate it. Contact us to find a space that meets all your needs.