What if you could have a movie theater in your own home? Thanks to affordable tech, what was once an exclusive for the ultra-rich is increasingly achievable for a middle-class homeowner! However, a theater isn’t always a simple process, and should be tailored to your unique preferences.

Equipment

Obviously the most important element of a theater is the screen. You have two choices: an extra-large TV, or a projector. For a suitable theater experience you want a big screen, which means your set should likely have 4K video capabilities (and likewise, so should your game console or Blu-Ray player.)

For better picture quality, also consider an IPS or OLED panel…but if you plan on gaming, skip the OLED; they’re known for having “burn-in” that leaves ghosts of still images on the screen.

For a projector, you’ll want to make sure your model supports 1080p video output. While many projectors accept 1080p input, they scale down the resulting picture, which can appear blurry. This includes many of the cheaper models on Amazon. Read the specs before you buy!

Seating

Most home theater owners opt for a full theater experience, with plush seats that recline, lean back, and allow for snuggling other viewers during scary moments. These typically ship in small clusters of 2 or 3, and you can get everything from barebones old-school seats to luxurious premium ones. You may also need a rise for the seats if you want to hide cables or if you’re going for a multi-row arrangement.

Your favorite local vendor can help you out, or you can buy online from Stargate Cinema or TheaterSeatStore.com.

Lighting

For a home theater you want as little light reflection as possible, so darker paint or wood is ideal for the walls, and you should block out windows. However, some accent lighting can go a long way towards a better theater experience. Some owners opt for a starlight ceiling for an outdoors feel, or multicolored accent lighting behind the screen or under seats. You can easily buy RGB LED strips on Amazon.

Are you interested in a beautiful, custom home? Tingen Construction offers pre-designed floor plans that feature plenty of options for a movie night with the family! We build custom homes in the North Carolina Triangle. Browse our available floor plans or current neighborhoods, and then contact us!