Watching movies is best experienced inside movie theaters. While going to a movie theater might be fun, only some have the time or energy to do so. Also, some individuals could feel uneasy in a crowded theater with people who make too much noise or don’t know how to behave appropriately.
Building your home theater system is an excellent option if you’re one of those people. Having a home theater can improve your viewing experience. However, creating one isn’t easy as it seems. Apart from designing the room, it’s also best to focus on some technicalities, like using a home theatre power manager.
Here are the steps on how to build a home theatre system:
1. Identify a Location
The first thing to consider when building a home theater is to look for the perfect location. You need to have a dedicated room or space so you can house a home theater. Also, it’s wise to ensure that the size of the room is large enough to accommodate the requirements of a home theater.
The ideal room size for a home theater is 20 feet long and 13 feet wide. Also, if possible, it’s better to isolate it from the rest of the house. It’s to keep the noise to yourself and not bother other people.
2. Design a Layout
To ensure that you’ll be building the perfect home theater, plan and design the layout of your space. This step allows you to anticipate any restrictions on the area. A layout can help you determine where to place all the equipment for your home theater.
By having a layout, you can have a guide to follow instead of rushing into things and just building it and laying it out simultaneously. It can also help you be accurate with your measurements and safe during the whole process.
3. Frame and Insulate
Setting up a home theater can be challenging, especially if you want to isolate the sound. Hence, to help you regulate and control the noise, you can frame and insulate the room first. This step won’t block the sound totally, but it can reduce the disruption caused by your speaker’s volume.
4. Prepare the Wiring
When installing a home theater system, one essential thing to consider is to prepare all the wiring needed. It’s necessary to mark all the locations where each piece of equipment will be placed, such as the speakers, lights, and even the video system.
Being prepared allows you to have a wire ready to ensure everything will work after setting up. For your speakers, keep in mind to place them strategically to achieve the best sound.
5. Choose a Dark Paint
Many home theaters are usually painted in dark colors to evoke the surroundings of an actual cinema. Painting the room in black or grey prevents light reflection, which is undesirable inside a home theater.
Also, avoid using bright colors when creating your home theater, as this can cause an unpleasant experience once you start using it. You don’t want to repaint the walls and ceilings all over again, so it’s best to do it right in the first place.
6. Install Sound Barriers
The ability to completely isolate the noise is crucial for a home theater. Hence, this is where sound barriers come into play. There are different types of sound barriers that you can install inside your home theater.
You may opt to use soundproofing foam to control and prevent the noise from traveling through walls. Particular drywalls act as a very effective sound barrier but are quite expensive.
7. Regulate Ambient Lights
To get the most out of your home theater setup, it’s essential to think about how you’ll manage the lighting. Ambient lights are placed below the door, windows, or any artificial light to give the room minimal visibility.
Natural light can improve your home’s atmosphere. However, that’s not the case for home theater. You want to make your home theater with less light as possible, especially when you start using it.
8. Choose a Video Device
One of the main aspects of a home theater is video devices. You must understand that this is one of the main elements of a home theater, so deciding on this isn’t easy. So, when choosing your video system, you can consider two devices: a projector or a widescreen TV. Factors such as brightness, size, and price can also be taken into account.
Projectors enable larger screens than ever, yet a widescreen TV’s brightness is unmatched. Both have high dynamic range (HDR) settings, but the projector delivers the experience of being in a real movie house. Ultimately, the choice depends on your needs. Thus, it’s better to consider your option carefully, as this is crucial in your home theater.
9. Set up an Audio System
To have an exceptional home theater, ensuring a great audio system is best. Choosing the right equipment can help you achieve your expectations. Different audio systems are available in the market, each offering various features.
Meanwhile, it’s better to plan and ensure that the audio system you’ll be getting matches your needs. For instance, it would be best to determine how many loudspeakers you’ll need if you’re looking for surround sound.
10. Build a Component Rack
Building a component rack for all your audio and video equipment is essential. This will help you organize and serve as a central point for your home theater devices. You want to keep them safe and secure to ensure that there won’t be any issues. It’s also ideal for putting the rack near an electrical outlet or power managers to ensure they’re well-regulated and protected from surges.
11. Install the Seats
Another essential thing to consider when building your home theater is the seats. Considering how much time you’ll be spending in your home theater, it’s necessary to have comfortable chairs. It’s also best to determine the proper distance from the screen as you don’t want to strain your eye while enjoying your home theater.
Theater-style seating is another alternative since it can provide an atmosphere similar to an actual theater. Nevertheless, there are various comfortable seats in the market, so it’s best to choose which suits your needs.
Takeaway
With the tips above, you’ll be able to have a unique home theater experience. This allows you to enjoy a great movie anytime with top-notch sound, a large screen, and comfy seats without the crowd. All you need is a box of popcorn.