Summer cinema with retro projector in the garden
On average, Americans go to the movies around five times a year.
This proves we love to watch the latest movies but sometimes our hectic schedules get in the way. Luckily, we can re-create a fantastic movie theater experience in the comfort of our homes.
If you’re keen to create a moving-going experience at home but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know for your next movie night.
Find a Dedicated Room
For the best movie theater experience, you must find a dedicated room. Many don’t have space in their living room to accommodate rows of chairs or a large TV with surround sound speakers.
If that’s your case, find a room that’s optimized for the perfect movie-watching experience. Make sure the seating area lets everyone easily view the screen and the speakers create an immersive experience for movie night.
Insulate Your Theater
Once you’ve found the ideal room for your movie theater, you must insulate the room. Insulation ensures the sound doesn’t disturb the entire house or your neighbors.
As a general rule, install R30 insulation on the exterior walls, ceiling, and floor so the sound is fully secure.
Set Up Your Lighting
A major part of going to the movies is the lighting as it adds to the experience. Install recessed lighting in the ceiling and sconces along the side walls. Your basic electrical wiring should already run through these locations.
If you have the budget, you can use an RF dimmer so you can dim the lights when the movie starts. And you can even fit floor lighting along with the seats that stay on the entire time, just like at the movies.
Choose the Right Seating
You can copy movie theaters by adding a row of leather recliners or even source vintage seats from old-fashioned theaters. The seats will depend on your preference and budget, so get your creative juices flowing.
Most home theaters have two rows of four seats. But if you have a larger household or want to invite friends to join you, you might need to fit more. You can even elevate the back seats on a platform for better viewing so no one misses out.
You might also be able to use the seats you already have. For instance, move couches and chairs from your living room and face them towards the screen. A major benefit of having a home theater is you have a ready supply of blankets and pillows to keep everyone cozy.
Install Speakers
In a perfect world, every home theater has to surround sound speakers but that’s not always possible.
Buy a set of speakers that are aligned with the size of your room. For example, if you have a large home theater room then you might consider a 9.1 channel setup. That same setup would be overbearing if you have a smaller room.
Before you purchase anything, decide where you’ll place each speaker, whether the wiring will work, and how to create an immersive sound experience. Don’t break the bank with the speakers, at least not right away. Remember, you can always upgrade later.
Refurbished speakers work great in the meantime, so consider these if you’ve got a tight budget.
Get a Projector Screen
With movie screens, the bigger the better. If you don’t have a screen, hang a white bedsheet or tape it onto the wall.
And if you want an outdoor movie night, contact a reputable projector rental service for an unforgettable movie experience.
Replicate the Experience
Whether it’s a weekly movie night or a surprise for a special occasion, hang up the movie poster to get everyone excited.
You can also create home-made tickets or find a roll at a party supply store to make the experience more real. And on the plus side, you don’t have to pay for anything!
Create a Queue For Trailers
To simulate a movie theater, find trailers for next week’s movie and put them into a queue to watch before the main show begins.
You can also use trailers as inspiration or choose your family’s old favorites for some nostalgia. When the trailers are rolling, use this time to hand out refreshments before you dim the lights.
Serve a Selection of Popcorn
There’s no greater partnership than popcorn and a movie. Before you roll the trailers, prepare a few bags of popcorn and offer a range of flavors like salty or sweet.
You can even give each person their own paper bag filled with their favorite flavor of popcorn. If your family is creative, ask them to decorate their own bags to look like the ones at the theater.
Plus, you should offer a selection of candy to complement the popcorn. Stick with classics like chocolate covered raisins and gummy bears. Or, if you’re more a savory person, you could dish out hot dogs and nachos to keep everyone satisfied.
And don’t forget the drinks. Hand out soda or fizzy water to wash down the popcorn. If you don’t want to give sugary soft drinks to the little ones, mix their favorite juice with a dash of sparkling water.
Once everyone’s settled with their snacks, dim the lights and crank up the volume. It’s showtime.
That’s How to Create a Movie Theater Experience at Home
Now you know how to create a movie theater experience at home that your entire family will love.
Find speakers, rent out a projector, and rearrange your home theater’s layout so everyone can see the TV. Get creative with choosing trailers and hang the movie’s poster to excite everyone. And don’t forget the snacks!
Did you find this article helpful? If so, check out our posts on everything from finances to social media.