Basement Theater Ideas

A home theater is more than just a big screen.

Installing a home theater in the basement can be an exciting project. Basements lend themselves to home movie viewing because their underground location minimizes daylight, making dimmed lighting for optimal viewing an easy task. Whether creating a home theater in a finished basement or starting with the blank slate of an unfinished space, several methods can be used to create a luxurious movie viewing space.

Lighting

Minimizing the light in home theater spaces is still desirable while viewing movies, lighting is still needed in the area for comfortable entry, exit, socializing and cleaning. Install dimmable lighting fixtures with a wall dimmer, or for extra luxury, include a remote control to dim the light from seats. Programmable dimmers offer the ability to pre-set several lighting levels so you can have a dim, intimate look, a mostly-dark look for viewing, and a bright look for game-playing or cleanup. Install wall sconces at the back of the room to provide dim, ambient lighting for times during movies so guests can move about as needed and to reduce the eyestrain of viewing in a dark room. Keep these dimmable sconces on a separate control circuit from the other lights so they can be left on while overhead lights are off. Casement windows can be covered with dark curtains in shades of red, brown, navy or violet.

Flooring

One problem with basements is that they can flood, especially in certain areas. Whether a home gets true water flow or seepage or simply has a damp atmosphere that leads to mildew, carpet may not be the best choice for flooring in basement areas. Hard floors tend to bounce sound, so try applying a paint treatment to concrete floors, then using large area rugs under the seating and carpet runners along any aisle ways. These add softness and warmth to the atmosphere in the basement and reduce echo while remaining easy to air out and clean if mildew becomes a problem.

Furniture

Choose comfortable, easy-to-clean chairs for home theaters. Snacking in front of the screen is a time-honored theater tradition, so choose seats that minimize the effects of spills, such as vinyl and microfibers. Select mildew-resistant stuffing, if available, and use standalone seats rather than the more theatrical-style connected rows so you can move the seating to access the throw rugs easily. Reclining seats are always welcome in home theaters, and special styles with drink holders in the arms can be ordered. If those aren't available, scatter small end tables throughout the floor for drinks and snacks. Avoid any furniture made from particle board or fiberboard, as it is prone to developing mold in humid areas.

Equipment

As with flooring, dampness and flooding can endanger the home theater equipment in your basement. If water is a problem, make sure GFCI outlets are installed on all electrical outlets---these will automatically switch off if they sense water. Keep all cable connections elevated with hooks to keep them off flood-prone floors, and do the same with any surround-sound speakers placed throughout the room. Use speaker stands, shelves or wall or ceiling anchors to keep the speakers, projector, video player, gaming devices and other electronic equipment off the floor.

References

• New Home Source: Great Electronic Home Theater Ideas
• Basement Remodeler: Basement Waterproofing
• Basement Remodeler: Best Practices in Heating and Mold Control