How to Decorate a Movie Room or Home Theater

Re-create the feel of a movie theater at home by using the right decor.

Homes are now being equipped with high-tech gadgets such as home entertainment centers complete with surround sound. Families love to spend time together, watching movies or their favorite shows. Some families allocate a room specifically for movie watching, commonly referred to as a home theater, media room or movie room. With such rooms, certain decorative elements add life to the room as well as help the movie-watching experience.

Things You'll Need

• Dark-colored paint
• Stencils or wall art
• Room-darkening blinds or window coverings
• Seats
• Movie-themed accessories
• Movie posters

Instructions

1. Paint the room a dark color, such as black or deep purple, for best movie viewing and for a more realistic movie-theater experience. If the movie room is in shared space, such as a family room, then you may want to paint it in a color that would coordinate with the adjoining space.

2. Add movie-themed designs to the walls with stencils, such as a motion picture camera, a take clapper or reels of films.

3. Install wall-to-wall carpet, such as a thick berber, for best sound quality. Underlayers can be added for total sound isolation.

4. Add wall sconces, rope lights or ceiling lights with dimmers to the ceiling--and even a remote control for easy adjustments from your seat. Run rope lights along the bottom edges of seats for a realistic movie-theater look.

5. Install room-darkening blinds or heavy, dark-colored draperies that block out natural light if you have windows in your room. Black, dark-red or deep-purple-colored velvet fabrics are options that block light well and add the drama of a theater. Back each treatment with blackout shades.

6. Provide ample seating. Choose seats that are comfortable and fit your space well. Look for sofa recliners with cup holders that can seat four to six people. Or choose individual reclining chairs. If you will have several rows of chairs, include risers throughout the room to elevate the seats behind others.

7. Add accessories. Decorate the walls with movie-themed wall art, such as used film reel wheels and framed movie posters. Place a popcorn machine in a corner.

Tips & Warnings

• Pad the walls for additional sound support.

• If you need to re-wire your electrical connections aside from adding the media wiring, ensure that you turn off the power. Again, it is best to hire a professional electrician to do the electrical work to prevent future accidents or fires.

References

• Decorator Secrets: Theatre Decor Basics