The Home Theater

Has it always been a dream of yours to have a movie theater in your home but just don’t have the necessary space? Believe it or not, sometimes smaller spaces work in your favor when it comes to designing a home theater. Gone are the days of needing hundreds of square feet to have your own go-to cinema. Home theaters are gaining popularity and becoming more accessible than ever for various budgets and spaces.

The Theater Room

If you’re in a small space, your options tend to be limited on where to have your home theater room. If you have a spare room– a guest room, a basement, etc– and have been thinking about converting it to your home theater, there are many tricks and tips to maximize the limited space you have. However, if all of your rooms are occupied, consider turning your traditional living room into your own personal theater.

Screen Placement: In a rectangular space, try to put the screen on a shorter wall for better sound. If there is a window in the room, be aware of the potential reflection and place the television on an adjacent wall or consider investing in blackout curtains.

Walls: If your roommate has ever pounded on your door because you were “chewing too loudly” that one time, soundproofing may be a priority. You want to enjoy your new setup while also being conscious of neighbors or others in the house. Acoustic wall panels are available at ranging prices and can go a long way to muffle noise and tone down any echo. Carpet tiles are also an option for those looking for a cheaper alternative.

Color Scheme: Paint the theater room as dark as possible. Find a flat or eggshell neutral color, such as beige or olive. Glossy, bright colors can reflect any light in the room and can even change what colors you are perceiving on the screen.

The Sound & Screen

Depending on your space and preference, there are many viable options for screening and sound. Always work with the space you have, not the space you wish you had. Try to avoid buying larger than necessary just because it is a bigger option. In this case, bigger isn’t always better. No matter what you decide, placement is key to utilizing the best features in each of these options.

Screen: A television is always an option, but if you are looking for movie quality in a small space, consider purchasing a projector. They can mount to the ceiling and project onto a screen or even just the wall.

Sound: Most theater rooms have five full-range speakers and one low-range speaker. For optimal sound, the low-range and three of the full-range speakers should be placed in the front of the room, facing your audience. The two remaining speakers should then be placed on the side walls, slightly behind the seating.

Front and center: It is important to emphasize your front, centered speaker as it is the most important. This is where the sound will directly project from your screen. When the actors are talking, it is important to create the illusion that the dialogue is coming from the screen, not from the back of the room. The low-range speaker should also be at the front of the room but can be placed in a corner.

The Seating

Nothing is worse than not enjoying a movie because the plastic armrests are digging into your skin or your back is cramping from the uncomfortable seats. If you want your guests to be comfortable and enjoy their experience, finding the right seating is a must. This does not mean breaking the bank, or even limiting your seating due to bulky, oversized chairs.

Cuddle Seats: If a seat you can melt into is your ideal choice, consider going with a cuddle seat by Seatcraft. The cuddle seat is a cozy, fun option your guests can easily sink into for a long movie. It is easy to clean and the durable foam will last for years. For full service seating, consider upgrading to the cuddle couch that also includes tray tables, cup holders, and room for more than one guest.

Wall-Hugger Seats: If space is your biggest concern, you can choose a more sleek chair without sacrificing comfort or accessories. Seatcraft space saver chairs can recline fully when placed within inches of a wall. The slender armrests save width space while still having room for cup holders.

The Entertainment

Whatever options work best for you, have fun creating your own home movie theater! Decide on your main priorities– sound, viewing, or seating– and create a space that meets your movie viewing needs. Utilize the strongest features of your space to provide a comfortable experience for your guests. Now all that’s left to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

It’s no secret that those who have chosen to fill their home theater with Seatcraft products are now sitting in the lap of luxury! After the careful and meticulous selection through the many options that Seatcraft provides, happy customers now have the seats of their dreams, crafted specifically with their wants and needs in mind. If you are someone in the market for high quality theater seats of your own, we bet you’re wondering what the huge fuss is about. What makes Seatcraft so great in comparison to other companies? Why should I make an investment on these particular seats? We have all the answers and more for you as we discuss the top five of the many reasons we love Seatcraft chairs.

1) Beautiful Designs

You know how when you browse through a company’s web page and notice that all the products look exactly the same? You don’t have to subject yourself to the bore that is scrolling through pages of the same items, because Seatcraft’s home theater seats and multimedia sofas have their own beautiful, unique, and personalized designs.

From contemporary to classic looks, these seats will wow any guest with the mix of style and comfort, blending solid framework with plush cushioning that will make anyone melt once they sit down. Each seat is designed with special features, too, like fold-up-and-down armrests, storage compartments, cup holders, recliners, and even USB ports! All you need to do is browse through their versatile selections and decide which style best suits you. Do you like romantic nights in with your loved one? Check out a Cuddle Couch and get cozy! Like to fill up the room with large groups of lively friends? Then, a Theater Sectional is more your style! No matter your lifestyle, Seatcraft can provide the perfect match, from the most relaxed couch potato, to the high-end socialite.

2) Cutting-Edge Technology

In an age where technology is incorporated into every part of society, we expect our theater seats to get in on the action too, right? Seatcraft understands that desire, and incorporates cutting-edge technology in every seat and sofa, so you can have more convenience and fun in your home theater experience. The most notable of these technological accents would be the SoundShaker technology, which simply attaches to the side of your seat to vibrate along with the on-screen action!

Who wouldn’t want more immersion when they’re watching a movie? The technology doesn’t stop there! With powered headrests and recliners, at the press of a button, you can adjust your seat to make it more comfortable. If you’re the type of person who fumbles around in the dark or spills drinks when you absentmindedly reach for the cup holder, then you’ll love the lights that are incorporated inside every cup holder and base of each seat. Even the USB ports are lighted for easy access! Seatcraft has only the best and most advanced technology for the convenience of its customers.

3) Awesome Accessories

Find yourself bored with the same old sectionals and chairs? Do you hate having to get up and pause your show when you need to restock the group with snacks? Then, never fear, because Seatcraft combines their design specialities and advanced technology to bring you amazing accessories!

Many accessories are simple installations, with an accessory pod as the base, and a click of an attachment. With them, you can be hands-free with an Adjustable Tablet Holder, worry-free with a Wine Caddy, and perfectly lighted with the LED Reading Light. The most impressive of accessories would be the Refreshment Consoles you can have built into your seats, which will not only hold all your snacks, but can keep backup drinks nice and cold. High quality seats meets high quality accessories to make your viewing experience even better. 

4) High Quality Materials

Home theater seats are an investment that we expect to enjoy for a long time. Many other companies sell seats that, while they could look nice at first, can wear down very quickly after just a few uses, rip very easily, and just become uncomfortable when developed from low quality materials. Seatcraft, on the other hand, guarantees that each seat is made from only the highest quality materials, like top grain leather, including the most popular Leather 7000. If durability, easy cleaning, rich textures, and swanky appearances appeal to you, then you’ll love the materials.

Even the fabric options bring something to the table with their softness and impressive colors and patterns. For those of you who want only the best of these options, then the Leather 7000 is for you! Leather 7000 combines the texture, consistency, patina, and color pallet of top-grain leather and steps it up by choosing the top third of all hides and buffs it to enhance the softness and pliancy. You will never have to worry about quick wear and tear if you choose a seat from Seatcraft!

5) Customization

If you are amazed by everything Seatcraft offers, but want a chair that can truly be one-of-a-kind, then you’re in luck! Seatcraft offers Seatcraft Your Choice Home Theater Seating, where you can really do it your way! The simple, three step process starts with you choosing the material and color you love the most, straight or curved row preference, and finally a choice between power or manual recline. You will have all the amazing technology that is included in pre-made seats, but now with the power to create a seat that perfectly suits your home theater decor. If you want extra accessories, you have the power to include that with your personalized seats, too. The power is truly in your hands!

Don’t settle for anything less than high quality perfection, and go to Seatcraft.com or 4seating.com and start your journey to find the ultimate home theater seats for your home! It is an investment that everyone you know won’t be able to stop talking about!

Home theaters can come in all shapes, sizes, and most importantly, price ranges. Adding this little luxury to your home does not mean you need to break the bank! Budget-friendly home theaters are easily obtainable with the help of a few tips and little bit of planning.

Prioritize

The average home theater requires a display device, some kind of source, a sound system, storage, and seating. Begin by deciding which of those components is most important to you. Are you looking to splurge on a beautiful sectional for the whole family? Perhaps you want to decide on something like the  Seatcraft Niagara with top grain 7000 leather and power recline. This option even includes in-seat storage, eliminating the need for additional containers and racks.

If you’d prefer to focus on the display device, consider cutting down on the seating budget by selecting a more affordable option such as the Seatcraft Argonaut. With its built-in cupholders and power recline, the Seatcraft Argonaut boasts the right amount of comfort at a reasonable price. Using the money you’ve saved, take a look at some of the best big screen TVs out there!

Are you someone who pays attention to detail? Convenient accessories can significantly improve the overall feel and comfort of your home theater while limiting the need for additional furniture. For example, swivel tray tables and wine caddies could be the right substitute for an expensive coffee table or side tables! This might also be helpful when it comes to downsizing your home theater to fit a smaller space.

Once you’ve decided which items you’d like to highlight in your space, make a document including your overall budget and a breakdown of sums for everything it includes. This will be a helpful guideline when making purchases to prevent any overspending! If you realize that the budget you’ve created may not be realistic, don’t worry. Simply sit down and go over the numbers again until you’ve come up with a list of amounts that work for you.

Research

There are so many different types of screens and audio systems available for home theaters– how do you choose the right one for you? If it happens to be a matter of budget, LCD and plasma screens tend to run at lower prices than LED screens. That being said, it’s all a matter of whether you’re interested in investing for the long term or upgrading every few years. As for audio, soundbars are the easiest and most affordable way to go. The nice thing with this option is that there are no cables involved, giving it a clean and classic look. Similar to the soundbar is the sound base, which can even act as a pedestal for your television.

Execute

Now that you’ve made a budget and done the research on the products you want, it’s time to put it all together! If you’re looking to optimize your space, consider seating with the “wall hugging” feature. This will allow you to place your seating only five inches away from the wall while still having it recline! The Seatcraft Millenia  is an affordable wall-hugger that comes with the option to add swivel trays. Dine and recline in your home theater once it’s all set up!

Next, clear up any cable clutter with these helpful tips! Then mount the screen of your choice and don’t forget to hook up the audio. Your home theater is really beginning to take shape now. Need a little guidance to prevent any missteps? We’ve got you covered here with a few home theater designs to avoid. All that’s left to do is pick out some decorations, add your favorite furniture, and make the space your own.

Congratulations, you’ve built the ideal budget-friendly home theater! All it took was a little planning and research along the way. From now on watching any movie from the comfort of your own home will be done in style. If that’s not worth it, what is?

It’s one thing to dream about your ideal home theater but when push comes to shove, bringing it to life can certainly be daunting. There are many decisions to be made between the layout, color scheme, theme, and furniture style. If you’re wondering where to start, fear not! We’re here to help guide you through the entire process. Follow this guide to start designing a home theater that will put your local cinema to shame.

Step 1

Selecting a screen or projector is the first step to building your home theater. The placement, size, dimension, and style of screen will determine the setup of the entire room. If you’re unsure about how to determine the best screen for you, take a look at this blog! It provides an in-depth explanation on ratios and distance to give you a sense of the various options you can choose from. Once you’ve got an idea of what you’d like, keep in mind that technology and screens are rapidly advancing these days. There are many high-quality products out there- it’s only a matter of finding them! Luckily we’ve already hunted down a couple of our top picks for your convenience. 

Image courtesy of TLC

Step 2

While screens are essential to the viewing of any TV show or movie, what really makes the experience memorable is the premium seating. There are many configurations that can come into play when setting up your home theater. While it may seem like an unsolvable puzzle, especially if you’re working with a large family and small space, there are tricks and tips on how to bring the room come together. Keep the wallhugger feature in the forefront of your mind as you begin your browsing. They provide a great way to be efficient with your space since it allows you to place reclining seating as close to the walls as possible! The Seatcraft Millennial is a great wallhugger option made with top grain leather that comes in both black and brown.

Another seating related decision has to do with color schemes. There are certain factors to take into consideration when choosing a color for your seating. Do you want it to be the main focus of the room? The centerpiece? Or, would you prefer something neutral to allow another aspect of the room to take all of the attention? To give you a better sense on how to make these decisions check out our guide to selecting colors blog!

Finally, there’s the remaining issue of style. What style are you going for? The seating you select will project a message about the theme of the overall room. If you’re looking to bring back that classic Hollywood glam, consider the Seatcraft Regis. It comes in 95+ colors and can form both straight and curved rows making it adaptable to a variety of spaces!

Step 3

There are many different audio options from soundbars to stereo speakers and surround sound. What’s the difference between them? Well, while soundbars can be great for small spaces, true audiophiles will want to consider a full surround system. This will require figuring out the best placement for your speakers in relation to your seating. You’ll also want to be mindful of cable clutter– nothing makes a room look more hectic than a jungle of cables hanging out from the walls! If you’re having difficulty with your cable clutter, don’t worry. There are easy solutions that can make your mess disappear and keep all of your cables organized.

One way to take your home theater to the next level is with SoundShaker technology. This kit uses wireless audio signals to make your seat move along with the action in a movie! For those of you who find yourselves wishing you were fighting crime right alongside your favorite superhero, this feature will bring you a step closer.

Step 4

Congratulations, you’re almost done setting up your very own home theater! The last step to making your cinema-related dreams come true is decor. If you’re in need of some inspiration, take a look at some designs we love. There are so many unique ways to transform a space into your own personal movie watching haven. You could incorporate an accent wall, floating shelves for DVDs, framed movie posters, and so much more! There are no right or wrong answers with this one, here’s your chance to really have fun with it.

Now that you’ve built the perfect home theater, it’s time to start the show. If you’re looking to personalize the experience even more, consider accessorizing your seating with fun additions such as a wine glass caddy or swivel tray table! Once you’ve added those final touches, invite your friends and family over for a viewing of your favorite movie. After all, you’ve got the nicest theater around!

Looking for ideas of fun things to do with your family? Well you’re going to want to sit down for this one – and so will they! Find the perfect seating configuration for your family’s home theater and let the good times (and movies) roll.

Sectionals

Want to treat your family to dinner and a movie? Make it possible with the Seatcraft Niagara sectional. Not only does this sectional come with complimentary tray tables, it has lighted cup holders to keep the spills at bay. Can’t hold all your snacks at once? No problem! This sectional also has hidden in-arm storage for all your tasty treats and other essential items. Did we mention the power recline switches are equipped with dual USB ports, eliminating any bickering about who gets to sit next to the nearest power outlet? Yes, please!

Hoping to upgrade your family’s theater home experience? The Seatcraft Republic Home Theater Sectional is a combination of two best-selling configurations. This sectional has power adjustable headrests and power recline. It also comes with an armless chair that folds down to reveal a beautiful burlwood table embedded directly into the sectional. For more storage, the armrest lift up to provide space for trays, tablets, reading materials, and more.

Interested in something on the cozier side? The Seatcraft Heavenly Modular Sofa is simple yet comfortable and adaptable to any room setup. Whether you are looking to pair it with theater seats or let it stand on its own, this sectional can warm up any room with its cloud-like seating and neutral colors.

The Perfect Fit

Before selecting your sectional, take a moment to decide how you would like to set up the seating configuration in your home theater or living room. Are you looking for an L shape or a straight design? How many consoles does your family need? All of these sectionals can be arranged in a unique shape to fit your unique family. Here are some particularly adaptable styles that could work well for you.

Dress any room up with the grandiose Seatcraft Genesis Sectional. The most notable items about this sectional are its storage wedges, which allow for a variety of configurations. The storage wedges come in two designs: straight with two cupholders or triangular with cupholders and storage space.

Make the shape your own or follow these suggestions!

If you are searching for a more classic feel, the Seatcraft Madison Leather Gel Sectional is a traditional style sectional with all the modern day necessities your family desires. It comes in black or brown, and sports chaise-lounger footrests for maximum comfort. Interested in learning more about the leather gel style? Request a free material sample to see if this sectional may be right for you.

Dress it Up

Once you’ve selected the sectional with the best fit for you, dress it up! Accessorize your sectional with add-ons that are tailored to your family’s needs.

Neck problems? The universal neck pillow adapts to any seat and provides great head and neck support.

Is someone in the family a bookworm? Make reading easier for them with the articulating LED light upgrade. This light is designed to be discreet and non-intrusive to neighbors sitting on either side. Enjoy your movie and while the person beside you devours their book!

Need a refreshment? There’s a wine glass caddy for the wine enthusiasts in your family. This caddy is designed to avoid spillage and looks great with its stainless steel finish. Pair it with any size glass. After all, the more the merrier!

These large room seating configurations are enough to convince any family member to be a homebody for a night (or ten)! Once you’ve selected the right look for you, it’s only a matter of configuring out how you want to set your room up! For any other questions or lay-out options, feel free to contact a Seatcraft customer support representative from 4seating.com.