Home Theater Special Features: How to Transform Movie Night from Ordinary to Extraordinary
The finishing touches on a home theater space can make a measurable difference in the overall home theater experience. There are special features that many choose to add to their home theaters that are not necessarily a requirement for a high level of entertainment; however, their presence drastically, and positively, affects not only how but how much the audience members are able to enjoy the home theater presentation.
Special features can range from the simple to the complex and the possibilities are endless. Beginning with automatic door closers, and stretching to motion technology for seating, the special features added to any home theater can change a generic family room into a full-blown theater experience. Special features do not have to set the homeowner back financially, and what they add to the home theater is priceless. For example, automatic door closers integrated into the home theater are most often a small commercial type that may be purchased at popular do-it-yourself retailers. They basically mount on the top of the door and they resemble the larger ones that are seen at commercial locations in function yet are smaller in size. Often times when automatic doors are used for a home theater, the knobs and latches are omitted. In their place are the door closers and other commercial features like a push/pull handle to create the feel of a real theater. Another special feature that has become popular among owners of home theater technology is D-box motion technology built into the seats. D-box motion technology is used in high tech motion chairs that actually move with the movie. Although high definition is a goal for many theater owners, the experience comes full circle when the viewer becomes part of the movie itself.
Home theater special features are not necessarily limited to movies and cinemagic. There have been projects constructed for families that create a multi-media all-purpose room. For example, for the family who enjoys karaoke beyond the basic sing along may be fitted for a system that has a wireless microphone with a karaoke player. By installing a stage in front of the theater and using the large screen display in place for the theater, any family member or guest can stand up on the stage, look back across the seats to the back wall where a smaller LCD monitor is installed for the lyrics. Yet another special design idea may allow the owner to incorporate a special sports affinity or thematic affiliation into the scheme. What any home theater owner must remember is that special features are so-named for a reason. There are features that are commonly found in all home theaters, such as a large screen TV and platform seating. However, what makes features special is how they affect those who use them.
A correctly designed theater is like a custom-fitted puzzle. Many factors need to come together in harmony to create the desired effect. Because a home theater has is expected to generate a lot of entertainment and excitement in a compact space, it is very important to think through the design plan and fine tune it before any building begins. If one aspect is sized wrong or improperly configured, the results can be devastating. Regardless of what, and how many, special features are incorporated into the home theater space, it is most important that the home theater owner carefully plan for the space while taking the time to add those special touches that will make the space a unique experience each time it is used.
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.
