Few spaces provide a better environment for a home theater than a basement. If planned properly, you and your family can have a truly cinematic experience without leaving your home. In today’s post, local home remodeling contractor NorthWest Construction shares tips on how to plan your basement home theater.
You can make your home theater for just the family, or perhaps for a bigger crowd — for hosting Super Bowl viewing parties or mini-premieres for the budding filmmaker in the family. This will inform later decisions regarding the floor layout, particularly the seating capacity, the types of seats and how many will be installed.
A typical basement houses the furnace, sump pump and other utilities that may be unflattering to a home theater. You’ll likely need to build a separator, maybe even some soundproofing or insulation to keep them from intruding upon your viewing experience.
The best part of designing your own home theater is choosing your multimedia setup. There is a wide selection of equipment that can be combined and customized to your specification:
Video. Wide screen TVs are easy to set up and can be mounted on a stand or on the wall. You can also choose a projector-based system if you want a more theatrical experience.
Audio. You can go a long way with a basic wired 5.1 surround system, but consider wireless systems or soundbars that simulate surround sound without taking up too much space. They can also be used for listening to music albums with surround mixes.
Media. Do you collect movies in physical formats, or do you stream everything? If you’re the former, then you’ll also need to consider shelving for display and storage. If you’re the latter, then you’ll want a wired connection to your router to ensure uninterrupted streaming.
Wiring. In addition to the internet, much of your equipment will need to be wired for power and interconnectivity. Part of your planning should include concealed wiring and patch bays for a cleaner look and convenient connectivity.
Considering the information discussed above, you should be able to visualize where the seating and multimedia equipment will go. Concessions like a snack bar — or perhaps a small service elevator for carrying food from the kitchen — and a powder room can add to the movie-going experience. Working with a design-build home remodeler can help make sure that you get a good balance between all the features that you need and essential elements like code compliance and structural stability.
Ready to design your home theater? Talk to our home remodelers at NorthWest Construction by giving us a call at (313) 277-7676. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Evans, GA, and the surrounding communities.