Home Theater Furniture for your Media Room

No doubt you have spent a small fortune on your television, sound system and all the other important pieces of equipment you need in the process of setting up your home theater. When choosing the right furniture pieces for your media room, resist the temptation to skimp now. You will want home theater seating that is ultra comfortable to last through a showing of any or all of The Lord of the Rings movies. You will also need media storage that looks as good as it is functional.

No Reflective Surfaces

When buying media room furniture, try to avoid anything shiny or has a reflective surface. This includes things you might not immediately think of us being shiny such as a leather sofa, home theater chairs or even wood tables. Avoid media storage pieces made of metal and select finishes that are matte or antiqued instead of ones with a high polish.

Big Comfy Chairs

Consider what kind of home theater seating you would like. Recliners especially designed for a home theater or a media room include "movie watching" features that aren't usually a part of standard recliners such as cup holders, hidden storage or collapsible trays. When purchasing group home theater seating, give some thought to whether you would like a 2-seat, 3-seat or 4-seat configuration. Depending on the size of your media, you may want two rows instead of one. Keep in mind that any chair levers or recliner mechanisms should work smoothly and silently.

But you don't have to stick to classic home theater seating. A sectional sofa that provides maximum viewing may be an ideal way to furnish your media room. No matter what you choose, above all, home theater seating should be comfortable.

Other Media Room Furniure Considerations

If you are not using a projection system of some kind, what will you be doing with the television? A TV wall mount is an option. When mounting the television to the wall is not an option, select an entertainment center that will be large enough to accommodate your TV as well as a DVD player and any other piece of audio or video equipment you will require.

Media storage should fit your lifestyle and personal preferences. If you like everything tidied away, then any media storage you select should include hidden storage solution options.

- E.L.

Planning a Media Room

Now that the holidays are over and while the weather is still chilly or downright cold, this might be a good time to plan a media room or a home theater. With its cold temperatures and blustery weather, January is a month that inspires creative ways to nest, keep warm and hibernate in style. If a home theater or media room sounds appealing to you but you're not sure where to begin, here are a few ideas.

Location: The ideal place for a home theater is its own room. But if you don't have the space for a dedicated media room don't despair. You can easily incorporate one into a family room, living room or a basement room.

Purpose: You might think this is a no brainer, but before you get too far along in your medio room planning, decide what the main purpose of the media room will be. If you're only using the room to watch television and movies, then a home theater interior design plan will be more useful to you. However, if you want a comfy place to listen to Coltrane or your kids want their own spot for gaming, then you will need to accommodate these activities in your media room plan.
Focal Point: The television, of course will be the focal point of your media room, home theater or media area. Measure the width of the TV's viewing screen. Home theater furniture such as recliners, the sofa, etc. should be positioned double width of the TV's viewing screen. For example, if the screen is 47 inches wide then any home theater seating should be at least seven feet away from the television for an optimum viewing experience.



Lighting: You will want to be able to see the name of the title on the DVD but have the option of dimming the lights when the movie is about to begin. Adjustable overhead lighting such as track lighting or canned lights are ideal for a home theater or a media room.



- E.L.