Five Steps to Getting the Home Cinema You Want

So you have this idea. You want to create a home cinema. You aren't sure, however where to start. You have a spare room or a living space that can be revamped, but that's about as far as you've come. You know the basics, like getting the right screen, sound and lighting but other than that you feel a little out of your depth. It's time to bring in the professionals.
Home cinema installations are the best way to create an entertainment experience that works in harmony with your room. Get it wrong, though and you might as well be a guy with his TV plugged into his hi-fi.
1. Work with a professional team. This may or may not include an interior designer who can integrate the system with your room or redecorate and revamp it entirely but they will advise on the right kit to suit the size, layout and acoustics. Work with what you've got, don't fight against it.
2. Develop a plan and don't be afraid to ask for exactly what you want. Be brutally honest, home cinema installations are something that's so personal and so geared to your own taste that this is not a time to be shy and retiring. You want a 52" screen? Then ask for it. Want waves of sound that will make it feel like you're sitting in the middle of the stadium. Just say! This isn't being created for anyone else but in your home, suited to you and your tastes. Devise the plan and make sure it includes what you want. If you're unsure or don't understand then ask.
3. What kind of room do you want it to be? Is the home cinema a traditional cinema layout, a separate room to your living room? Or is it enhancing your entertainment in your main living space. This will impact on the look and layout as well as the technology you invest in.
4. Do you want it on show? Sometimes a home cinema can look fairly... masculine. This is all well and good if that's your taste but you might not want your speaker system on show. Watching a movie or sports match might not be something you do every night. Therefore the space has to be flexible. You can work with a designer who can help suggest how to build the home cinema installation into your room, making it as unobtrusive as possible.
5. Look for inspiration. Interior designers often create what's called a mood board. This is filled with pictures, colours and fabrics that build the "look" they're going for. You might not need to go into that kind of detail but if you have a fairly firm idea of what you want your home cinema to look like then start researching. Got your eye on any particular seats? Want a creative way to block out the light when you're watching a movie? It's easier to find what you're looking for if you have a clear picture in your mind.