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.
