Home Theater Specialty Seating: Make Every Seat the Best Seat in the House

Every good home theater owner knows that seating is a priority in the design of the dedicated theater space. Whether the space is intended for one viewer or 50, the design and placement of theater seating can make or break the theater experience. When creating a design plan for specialty seating, it is important to determine the primary users in order create the best possible sight line for any size viewer.

When designing theater seating, size matters. The likelihood of children viewers is an important issue to consider for the obvious fact that children are smaller than adults and need smaller seating to receive the same ultimate viewing experience as their adult counterparts. However, specialty seating designs do not end with the size of the seating selected. The type of material is a serious consideration as well. If the theater is going to be primarily used for children, it would be designed in a completely different way than one that would be just used for adults. With kids, materials such as ultra-suede are discouraged. Basically, kids are messy and they often tend to spill things. To complement the fabrics selected for children’s seating areas, it is recommended that the carpeting have a pattern that can camouflage those inevitable spills. For example, many theater designers prefer to use a splashy colorful carpet similar to those seen in commercial theaters. Not only is the patterned carpeting in commercial theaters visually appealing but it also hides all the stains from the soda and other spills that occur over time.

When designing specialty seating to fit the theater’s respective audience, it is possible to save space not with additional seating but with the absence of seating. One option is to fill the available space in the front of a home theater with bean bag chairs or plush pillows that may be removed when the audience numbers fewer members. In some home theaters, there is seating that resembles the old-fashioned movie theater type. Coupled with removable seating, the audience may vary in numbers from one to 30, depending upon the number of rows and permanent seats available. Between traditional seating and commercial seating, the seating options for home theater owners are limitless. However, a manufacturer can come into play whenever choosing among the many seating options. What may help the homeowner decide upon a specific design or manufacturer is not necessarily the look of the seating but the anticipated use of the seating. Heavy use generally dictates the need for a higher quality product available through commercial theater seat manufacturers. As is the case in the purchase of any product, you generally get what you pay for. Commercial style seating is expected to last longer than basic seating that is used as theater seating, such as recliners or other plush seating options.

Seating options for home theater owners have evolved over the years to meet the growing demand for home entertainment. Manufacturers that have traditionally catered to the homeowner have adapted their designs to meet the needs of home theaters. For example, some makers of recliners have “theaterized” their designs by adding cup holders, creating a means of interconnecting seats, and offering fabrics that simulate the feel of real theater seating. By increasing the size of seating that has been traditionally used for basic use and tailoring the designs for home theater owners, many homeowners have been able to turn their dedicated spaces from a simple family room to an overall home theater experience.