30 Amazing Home Theaters from the Cozy to the Collossal

You won’t believe these are “home” theaters!
Odin Odin (4)
Feb 2, 2021
0

Before the birth of the television age, in the latter half of the 1920s, the trend of majestic “movie palaces” (or “picture palaces” in the United Kingdom) caught the delighted imaginations of the masses. There were elaborate, beautiful, complicated constructs; movie palaces were designed to capture a sense of opulent splendor and truly transport the viewer into a new reality once they crossed the theater’s threshold. They were so popular between 1925 and 1930 that hundreds of new movie palaces were opening each year.

Now, we may not live in the age of public movie palaces anymore, but the idea of being transported out of normal life and into the magic of the silver screen has never left our minds. For those with the time and resources, the construction of private movie palaces is a realizable dream, and the designs that these individuals create are oftentimes simply out of this world.

We love finding new designs for home theaters, from the quirky to the comfortable, the geeky to the bizarre, not only because they’re completely awesome, but because they can give us hints about what we want when we design our own home theaters to capture our own family’s heart and mind.

Posted in these interests:
h/home27 guides
The ZiegfeldThe Ziegfeld
Pinterest

This incredible home theater is a pure letter of love to the cinema experience, and we could not be more thrilled to show off every piece of this amazing theater in a full photo walk-through. While other theaters on our list have outdone themselves for interior opulence, this theater goes even further by making the very experience of walking up to the theater doors a trip into the magic of movie palaces past.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside, you have a classic theater lobby, complete with a concession bar.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

Now, if that doesn’t whet your appetite for getting a head start on your own home theater, we don’t know what will.

comfortable home theatercomfortable home theater

Kicking off our list, we have an impressively sleek and yet relaxed home theater. We especially love the giant stuffed moose behind the couch. Really, though, everything about this theater speaks to us — it’s the sort of space that the whole family could gather to relax at the end of the day, but it would also cater to larger movie parties. We think that the best touches are the artistic lighting and the movie posters on the walls (which help lend a certain gravitas to the whole room, bringing it together).

According to the builder, this all cost them around $7,000, but for the ultimate home movie den, that sounds about right to us.

You gussed it right - that's a hidden hatchYou gussed it right - that's a hidden hatch
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We’ve reached the final two theaters on our list now, and we’ve made sure to keep some of the best for last. That’s why we’re going all-out: you get to see every detail of these theaters and bask in the magnificence of true shrines to the silver screen.

This is probably our all-time personal favorite because we are ultimately total geeks, and this room speaks to the geek in us more than we can say with words, which is why we’ll use pictures.

And before you ask: why yes, this theater is accessed via a secret room. And yes, the door does open at a vocal command.

It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.
We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.
And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.
everyday simplicityeveryday simplicity

Here we have another impressive home theater, exactly the sort of thing that it would be possible to fit into an average home. If you’re a true film geek, having your own home theater is basically a requirement, so giving up that spare bedroom is a pretty easy concession to make. We like this theater’s everyday simplicity because it feels like the sort of place we could easily relax in after a long day of work. But what makes it really pop are the movie posters and the elegant black paint, which will help keep the reflected light down to a manageable level.

A home theater with a crazy origin storyA home theater with a crazy origin story
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This home theater has a story. Though it now resides in Los Angeles in its owner’s home, it did not start its life there. The whole room was actually built in Florida, then disassembled and moved in pieces across the country to where it now sits installed in its new home. We’ve mentioned “movie palaces” before, but this theater takes that classic idea to a whole different level of luxury, where just looking at it makes you feel like you’re under-dressed. Back in the day, this would be the sort of place where liveried attendants waited on you hand and foot as you looked up in awe at the grand stars of the age.

Home cinemaHome cinema

Now, this is just an absolute beauty. We’ve been missing going out to the movies lately, but with this incredible home theater, you’d always have the perfect cinema within your reach. The builder put a lot of thought into this one, with the classic movie theater aesthetic carefully applied to every design choice. The main speakers are even directly behind the screen, just like in a real movie theater, so that the sounds and the images are melded into one perfect union.

But get this, the owner has ended up moving to a new home since they completed this theater, and they promise that next time they’re going to go even bigger and better. That means that somewhere out there, this beauty is probably up for sale. We’re going to be on the lookout, how about you?

High-tech UK theaterHigh-tech UK theater

For those looking to go the middle-approach to home theater construction, rather than designing a whole wing of the building for the theater or going the DIY approach, having specialty designers come in and do the work for you can be a real pleasure. That’s the approach that footballer Jeremy Lynch took when he decided that his home needed its own private theater.

Lynch’s UK home theater features high-tech LED lighting that can shift colors, create patterns, and dim to appropriate levels, and the seating design here is likewise truly inspired. Rather than go for something that restricts the ability to lounge, this design is made for nothing but lounging—and we think it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Superhero colorsSuperhero colors

We adore the color combinations of this home theater—the red and blue give us that warm superhero feeling as well as a sense of pure luxury. We would definitely describe this theater as “epic” when telling our friends about it. The designer clearly went to great lengths to create this basement theater, which sits just off from a great basement play area featuring gaming tables and an old-fashioned arcade. This is the place we all dreamed about as kids.

LotR Aesthetic CinemaLotR Aesthetic Cinema

We cannot imagine a better way to watch our favorite film series (Lord of the Rings, obviously) than by kicking back in this incredible home theater. Plush carpets, deliciously matte walls, elegant lighting, and the perfect movie posters to complement the mood. The seats are tiered, too, so everyone has a clear view of the screen, and at the front the designer’s included a selection of all their gaming technology, allowing them and their guests to geek out with everything from retro SNES setups to the latest Cyberpunk 2077 madness. They said that this was their third attempt at creating a home theater since their military career kept them moving and, by golly, we think that the third time sure is the charm!

A bit boxy but cleverly designedA bit boxy but cleverly designed
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The fun thing about designing a home theater from scratch is anything is possible. This home theater started as an oddly-shaped 20×20 room (audio principles make a space like this not so great for acoustics), but the designer worked his magic to turn it into a real private cinema experience by narrowing the room and using some of that then-extra space to put in a little kitchenette complete with snack station (we approve). Notice how the world-class projector is housed, too, which will eliminate almost all noise, giving the audio system free rein to fill the air.

Plush red velvet home theaterPlush red velvet home theater
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If you live in the United Kingdom and want your home theater done right, well, these guys are clearly the people to call. Every piece of this home theater speaks to our nerdy souls — especially the starry sky that awaits you when you turn off all the lights. The plush red velvet seating and carpeting might remind us a little of Emperor Palpatine’s chambers…

…but if the Dark Side is the price we need to pay to have this theater in our homes then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

swanky little home theaterswanky little home theater

This swanky little home theater apparently took ten years to plan and build, and that care and dedication show. What sticks out to us is that this theater’s aural environment clearly took the focus, with a full surround sound experience and behind-the-screen speakers certain to immerse the viewers in an audio ocean. We really dig the media server room’s design, too, which sits in its own space just off the main theater and allows for easy rear access through a side door. It always makes us happy to see designers who think about every aspect of their home theater before setting to work.

A 1920s movie palaceA 1920s movie palace
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Okay, the realistic DIY stuff that anyone can do is cool, but what happens when you have the budget to turn a whole wing of your house into a proper movie theater? Well, it turns out that someone decided to find out. This home theater reminds us of a 1920s movie palace, complete with the shaded lighting and minimalist elegance of the whole aesthetic. We’d probably want to get dressed up in our evening wear for a visit to this home theater, but we’d likely skip on the formal dinner in favor of watching two films in a row.

lights and carpetlights and carpet

We love those lights. As in: we need them in our own home theater STAT. Something about the conical glow and the hyperactive carpet gives off the instant vibe of being in a real theater, and those seats look just the right amount of firm. There’s a dedicated popcorn machine in the theater foyer, too, which we’re certain gets plenty of use. This might be an example of a home theater at the upper end of the average budget, but we think every penny is worth it for such a sleek design.

Sleek home theaterSleek home theater
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Okay, can we just say “wow”? The sleek lines of this home theater all seem to radiate toward that central screen; the electric blue lighting hints at a space filled with magic, and that beast of a projector is certain to deliver only the crispest visual experience. What’s more, the seating looks thick enough to keep an audience comfy even through an epic Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon.

Rustic black box-style home theaterRustic black box-style home theater

The owner wants to preface this by letting us know that they’re not professional at woodworking, but we absolutely adore the rustic design on this home theater and its custom rear riser. It has a black box theater vibe that we imagine makes it feel like stepping into a whole new world. Plus, just outside in the entrance, there’s a perfectly-placed rolling popcorn machine that no-doubt fills this whole space with mouth-watering buttery goodness. Where do we sign up for a tour?!

Starry cinema with 15-foot screenStarry cinema with 15-foot screen
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This home theater is basically a fully-fledged cinema to our eyes, and the epic starry ceiling with the classic LED lights pulls this together in the perfect way to remind us that seeing a movie on the silver screen should be an experience to remember. Those real leather seats look incredible, too. We’re willing to bet, though, that with those comfy seats the whopping fifteen-foot screen, we’d be hard-pressed ever to leave. We would definitely have to line up careers as film reviewers because that room would be our new live-in location.

DIY media roomDIY media room

After the last couple of home theaters, we wanted to bring ourselves back to Earth for a moment and consider something a bit more doable for the average film enthusiast. Luckily, the folks at CraftedWorkshop had us covered with this cheerful and intimate media room. To turn it into a home theater, all you need to do is turn on the projector and dim the lights—a colorful living room becomes, suddenly, a perfectly immersive home theater. We love this not only because it’s cute and incredibly well-designed but because it’s 100% a doable project for any ordinary home.

Homey home theaterHomey home theater

This home theater feels like the ideal hangout room for a properly geeky family, and we adore it. We dig the well-loved look of those seats and the great artwork on those back panels, but we also see the clear care put into the design of this fantastic little space. What’s not pictured here, near the screen, is the beautiful homage to tech gone by in the form of glorious wood-housed speakers, a vinyl turntable, and a classic DVD player. We admire the home theater owner who takes good enough care of their DVD collection to still use them in this, the age of the streaming wars.

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seatsDolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats
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You can’t tell… but those seats move. That’s right, once you kick back, you’re going to be quite literally immersed in the cinema experience. This incredible Dolby Atmos Home Theater is probably one of the most high-tech theaters on our list, and it likely blows away the competition when it comes to an immerse audio experience. Everything about this home theater is as sleek as polished leather—which, incidentally, also happens to be what those seats are upholstered with.

Streamlined and uniqueStreamlined and unique
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There are whole companies out there dedicated to one purpose… bring the theater-going dreams of their clients to life.

This installation is by Cinematech, one such specialty company, and the work they do is frankly gorgeous. Streamlined and unique to each space’s needs, we spent far too long ogling their impressive display collection. What we love most about this theater is how open the main front seating is. For a casual film, it makes sense to kick back on a comfy couch and bask in the screen’s glow, but the tiered seating means that there’s more than enough space for the whole family and a few distant relations to boot.

We also love how the clean lighting lines of this space pull the viewer’s attention toward the screen (and, speaking of lights, that projector must be the real deal to get that crisp with that much ambient lighting going on). Theaters like this seem to hover at around the $500,000 mark, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving up early.

well-loved and lived-inwell-loved and lived-in

We see this as our chance to curate a selection of the coolest, the craziest, the most elegant, and the most practical home theaters out there. Just like with a good mix-tape (does anyone still do those?), we like to go from the completely out of this world back to the realm that most of us live in.

This gorgeous home theater feels well-loved and lived-in, exactly the sort of place we’d want to visit and watch a film or ten. Care with the painting choice around the walls, the sleek lighting design, and the insanely comfortable-looking couch (which the owner verifies is still comfy even after four years of use) make this impressive space a real winner in our eyes. Notice the careful positioning of the sound system, too. The designer really knows their stuff when it comes to proper surround sound.

Attic home theaterAttic home theater
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Here’s another true home theater, built this time in the attic! Rather than a projector, this designer opted for an impressive 120” television but brought in a darling model of a classic projector to tie in the classic film aesthetic. This space feels like just the right mixture of homey and production. Entering this attic theater is certain to take you out of the world but where comfort is still clearly key. We also love the classic popcorn posters and the dedicated popcorn machine, elements that we strongly believe need to exist in every home theater.

Home theater by a true aficionadoHome theater by a true aficionado
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You can tell a true home theater aficionado by their sound set-up, and this theater is a perfect example. With a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system, the audio environment in this home theater is sure to be something out of this world. Going deeper, those absorbent sound panels will soften the speakers’ reflections, making every line of dialog seem warm and intimate to the ear. Going beyond the sound design, however, we have to say that we also love the solid wooden frame that the 150” screen is housed within, just the sort of subtle luxury that makes it feel like a special occasion every time you sit down for a film (and, judging by the well-worn leather seating, this room has seen a lot of film-watching love).

We would never leave this home theaterWe would never leave this home theater
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As we’ve said before, we are all about the comfort level when it comes to home theaters. We dig the grand and the outrageous, but what we really love the most at the end of the day is the sort of place that feels intimate and cozy. This wonderful theater design is a mixture of purchased tech and solid DIY construction and is clearly a labor of love. We also spent a long time admiring that impressive DVD collection and the extra comfortable seating arrangement that provides space for intimate family gatherings and larger friend-circle events as well.

Big screen and lots of bobbleheadsBig screen and lots of bobbleheads

All the little touches are what really make this theater shine. Nifty lighting, solid 7.1 surround sound, carpeted tiered seating, and a great bobble-head collection. Something about this room speaks to us, and it says… “start the film already!” Of course, we generally prefer to go with projectors when it comes to home theaters, for that special flickery effect and the immense screen size they provide, but we have the feeling that once you’re nestled into one of those big chairs, you’ll feel right at home.

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theaterSleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater
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These folks realized that their extra storage room possessed a far greater destiny. By the end of 2020, they were missing the experience of venturing forth to the theater, so they decided to solve that problem with a bit of DIY… and we think they are our new favorite people. The sleek design, retro-style bulbs, classy framed posters, huge projector screen, and excellent reclining seating all come together to make this one of our absolute top home theaters. This is just the sort of magic that pretty much anyone with a spare room can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn fromDual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

Not everybody has a whole room they can dedicate to their home theater, but the good news is that a great home theater doesn’t need one! This clever and compact home theater features all the elements needed for an immersive cinema experience, including the great aesthetic lights and the “cinema” movie ticket poster, all while sharing the space with the kitchen and living room! Clearly, this is the sort of space where long hangout sessions can be had and where both cinema and intensive video game marathons are the order of the day.

A DIY basement theaterA DIY basement theater

We love seeing what ordinary folk get up to when they decide to build themselves a home theater because the DIY approach always brings with it the designer’s personality. We think the simplicity of this space is perfect and are honestly hard-pressed to consider any better way to use an empty basement room. With the lights down and the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the air, this little home theater would be the ideal place to marathon all our favorite films.

This Holomax is a labor of loveThis Holomax is a labor of love

Nobody looking at this home theater could see anything but a true labor of love. With just four seats and a DVD collection numbering in the hundreds-of-hundreds, the builder of this “Holomax” theater is a cinephile after our own hearts. The care and attention to detail, the well-placed lighting, the extra-large screen, and the fully carpeted risers give us the impression of being transported into a special theater-pod. Something about that great red leather seating thrills us, too, and makes the whole room look majestic.

Never fight over the covers again when you use two single duvets instead of one.
Nov 19, 2020
10 minutes

When my husband and I spent a night in Iceland a few years ago, we were surprised to find our double bed was made with two side-by-side single duvets instead of one that covered the entire mattress.

30 Amazing Home Theaters from the Cozy to the Collossal

You won’t believe these are “home” theaters!
Odin Odin (4)
Feb 2, 2021
0

Before the birth of the television age, in the latter half of the 1920s, the trend of majestic “movie palaces” (or “picture palaces” in the United Kingdom) caught the delighted imaginations of the masses. There were elaborate, beautiful, complicated constructs; movie palaces were designed to capture a sense of opulent splendor and truly transport the viewer into a new reality once they crossed the theater’s threshold. They were so popular between 1925 and 1930 that hundreds of new movie palaces were opening each year.

Now, we may not live in the age of public movie palaces anymore, but the idea of being transported out of normal life and into the magic of the silver screen has never left our minds. For those with the time and resources, the construction of private movie palaces is a realizable dream, and the designs that these individuals create are oftentimes simply out of this world.

We love finding new designs for home theaters, from the quirky to the comfortable, the geeky to the bizarre, not only because they’re completely awesome, but because they can give us hints about what we want when we design our own home theaters to capture our own family’s heart and mind.

Posted in these interests:
h/home27 guides
The ZiegfeldThe Ziegfeld
Pinterest

This incredible home theater is a pure letter of love to the cinema experience, and we could not be more thrilled to show off every piece of this amazing theater in a full photo walk-through. While other theaters on our list have outdone themselves for interior opulence, this theater goes even further by making the very experience of walking up to the theater doors a trip into the magic of movie palaces past.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside, you have a classic theater lobby, complete with a concession bar.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

Now, if that doesn’t whet your appetite for getting a head start on your own home theater, we don’t know what will.

comfortable home theatercomfortable home theater

Kicking off our list, we have an impressively sleek and yet relaxed home theater. We especially love the giant stuffed moose behind the couch. Really, though, everything about this theater speaks to us — it’s the sort of space that the whole family could gather to relax at the end of the day, but it would also cater to larger movie parties. We think that the best touches are the artistic lighting and the movie posters on the walls (which help lend a certain gravitas to the whole room, bringing it together).

According to the builder, this all cost them around $7,000, but for the ultimate home movie den, that sounds about right to us.

You gussed it right - that's a hidden hatchYou gussed it right - that's a hidden hatch
Pinterest

We’ve reached the final two theaters on our list now, and we’ve made sure to keep some of the best for last. That’s why we’re going all-out: you get to see every detail of these theaters and bask in the magnificence of true shrines to the silver screen.

This is probably our all-time personal favorite because we are ultimately total geeks, and this room speaks to the geek in us more than we can say with words, which is why we’ll use pictures.

And before you ask: why yes, this theater is accessed via a secret room. And yes, the door does open at a vocal command.

It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.
We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.
And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.
everyday simplicityeveryday simplicity

Here we have another impressive home theater, exactly the sort of thing that it would be possible to fit into an average home. If you’re a true film geek, having your own home theater is basically a requirement, so giving up that spare bedroom is a pretty easy concession to make. We like this theater’s everyday simplicity because it feels like the sort of place we could easily relax in after a long day of work. But what makes it really pop are the movie posters and the elegant black paint, which will help keep the reflected light down to a manageable level.

A home theater with a crazy origin storyA home theater with a crazy origin story
Pinterest

This home theater has a story. Though it now resides in Los Angeles in its owner’s home, it did not start its life there. The whole room was actually built in Florida, then disassembled and moved in pieces across the country to where it now sits installed in its new home. We’ve mentioned “movie palaces” before, but this theater takes that classic idea to a whole different level of luxury, where just looking at it makes you feel like you’re under-dressed. Back in the day, this would be the sort of place where liveried attendants waited on you hand and foot as you looked up in awe at the grand stars of the age.

Home cinemaHome cinema

Now, this is just an absolute beauty. We’ve been missing going out to the movies lately, but with this incredible home theater, you’d always have the perfect cinema within your reach. The builder put a lot of thought into this one, with the classic movie theater aesthetic carefully applied to every design choice. The main speakers are even directly behind the screen, just like in a real movie theater, so that the sounds and the images are melded into one perfect union.

But get this, the owner has ended up moving to a new home since they completed this theater, and they promise that next time they’re going to go even bigger and better. That means that somewhere out there, this beauty is probably up for sale. We’re going to be on the lookout, how about you?

High-tech UK theaterHigh-tech UK theater

For those looking to go the middle-approach to home theater construction, rather than designing a whole wing of the building for the theater or going the DIY approach, having specialty designers come in and do the work for you can be a real pleasure. That’s the approach that footballer Jeremy Lynch took when he decided that his home needed its own private theater.

Lynch’s UK home theater features high-tech LED lighting that can shift colors, create patterns, and dim to appropriate levels, and the seating design here is likewise truly inspired. Rather than go for something that restricts the ability to lounge, this design is made for nothing but lounging—and we think it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Superhero colorsSuperhero colors

We adore the color combinations of this home theater—the red and blue give us that warm superhero feeling as well as a sense of pure luxury. We would definitely describe this theater as “epic” when telling our friends about it. The designer clearly went to great lengths to create this basement theater, which sits just off from a great basement play area featuring gaming tables and an old-fashioned arcade. This is the place we all dreamed about as kids.

LotR Aesthetic CinemaLotR Aesthetic Cinema

We cannot imagine a better way to watch our favorite film series (Lord of the Rings, obviously) than by kicking back in this incredible home theater. Plush carpets, deliciously matte walls, elegant lighting, and the perfect movie posters to complement the mood. The seats are tiered, too, so everyone has a clear view of the screen, and at the front the designer’s included a selection of all their gaming technology, allowing them and their guests to geek out with everything from retro SNES setups to the latest Cyberpunk 2077 madness. They said that this was their third attempt at creating a home theater since their military career kept them moving and, by golly, we think that the third time sure is the charm!

A bit boxy but cleverly designedA bit boxy but cleverly designed
Pinterest

The fun thing about designing a home theater from scratch is anything is possible. This home theater started as an oddly-shaped 20×20 room (audio principles make a space like this not so great for acoustics), but the designer worked his magic to turn it into a real private cinema experience by narrowing the room and using some of that then-extra space to put in a little kitchenette complete with snack station (we approve). Notice how the world-class projector is housed, too, which will eliminate almost all noise, giving the audio system free rein to fill the air.

Plush red velvet home theaterPlush red velvet home theater
Pinterest

If you live in the United Kingdom and want your home theater done right, well, these guys are clearly the people to call. Every piece of this home theater speaks to our nerdy souls — especially the starry sky that awaits you when you turn off all the lights. The plush red velvet seating and carpeting might remind us a little of Emperor Palpatine’s chambers…

…but if the Dark Side is the price we need to pay to have this theater in our homes then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

swanky little home theaterswanky little home theater

This swanky little home theater apparently took ten years to plan and build, and that care and dedication show. What sticks out to us is that this theater’s aural environment clearly took the focus, with a full surround sound experience and behind-the-screen speakers certain to immerse the viewers in an audio ocean. We really dig the media server room’s design, too, which sits in its own space just off the main theater and allows for easy rear access through a side door. It always makes us happy to see designers who think about every aspect of their home theater before setting to work.

A 1920s movie palaceA 1920s movie palace
Pinterest

Okay, the realistic DIY stuff that anyone can do is cool, but what happens when you have the budget to turn a whole wing of your house into a proper movie theater? Well, it turns out that someone decided to find out. This home theater reminds us of a 1920s movie palace, complete with the shaded lighting and minimalist elegance of the whole aesthetic. We’d probably want to get dressed up in our evening wear for a visit to this home theater, but we’d likely skip on the formal dinner in favor of watching two films in a row.

lights and carpetlights and carpet

We love those lights. As in: we need them in our own home theater STAT. Something about the conical glow and the hyperactive carpet gives off the instant vibe of being in a real theater, and those seats look just the right amount of firm. There’s a dedicated popcorn machine in the theater foyer, too, which we’re certain gets plenty of use. This might be an example of a home theater at the upper end of the average budget, but we think every penny is worth it for such a sleek design.

Sleek home theaterSleek home theater
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Okay, can we just say “wow”? The sleek lines of this home theater all seem to radiate toward that central screen; the electric blue lighting hints at a space filled with magic, and that beast of a projector is certain to deliver only the crispest visual experience. What’s more, the seating looks thick enough to keep an audience comfy even through an epic Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon.

Rustic black box-style home theaterRustic black box-style home theater

The owner wants to preface this by letting us know that they’re not professional at woodworking, but we absolutely adore the rustic design on this home theater and its custom rear riser. It has a black box theater vibe that we imagine makes it feel like stepping into a whole new world. Plus, just outside in the entrance, there’s a perfectly-placed rolling popcorn machine that no-doubt fills this whole space with mouth-watering buttery goodness. Where do we sign up for a tour?!

Starry cinema with 15-foot screenStarry cinema with 15-foot screen
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This home theater is basically a fully-fledged cinema to our eyes, and the epic starry ceiling with the classic LED lights pulls this together in the perfect way to remind us that seeing a movie on the silver screen should be an experience to remember. Those real leather seats look incredible, too. We’re willing to bet, though, that with those comfy seats the whopping fifteen-foot screen, we’d be hard-pressed ever to leave. We would definitely have to line up careers as film reviewers because that room would be our new live-in location.

DIY media roomDIY media room

After the last couple of home theaters, we wanted to bring ourselves back to Earth for a moment and consider something a bit more doable for the average film enthusiast. Luckily, the folks at CraftedWorkshop had us covered with this cheerful and intimate media room. To turn it into a home theater, all you need to do is turn on the projector and dim the lights—a colorful living room becomes, suddenly, a perfectly immersive home theater. We love this not only because it’s cute and incredibly well-designed but because it’s 100% a doable project for any ordinary home.

Homey home theaterHomey home theater

This home theater feels like the ideal hangout room for a properly geeky family, and we adore it. We dig the well-loved look of those seats and the great artwork on those back panels, but we also see the clear care put into the design of this fantastic little space. What’s not pictured here, near the screen, is the beautiful homage to tech gone by in the form of glorious wood-housed speakers, a vinyl turntable, and a classic DVD player. We admire the home theater owner who takes good enough care of their DVD collection to still use them in this, the age of the streaming wars.

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seatsDolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats
Pinterest

You can’t tell… but those seats move. That’s right, once you kick back, you’re going to be quite literally immersed in the cinema experience. This incredible Dolby Atmos Home Theater is probably one of the most high-tech theaters on our list, and it likely blows away the competition when it comes to an immerse audio experience. Everything about this home theater is as sleek as polished leather—which, incidentally, also happens to be what those seats are upholstered with.

Streamlined and uniqueStreamlined and unique
Pinterest

There are whole companies out there dedicated to one purpose… bring the theater-going dreams of their clients to life.

This installation is by Cinematech, one such specialty company, and the work they do is frankly gorgeous. Streamlined and unique to each space’s needs, we spent far too long ogling their impressive display collection. What we love most about this theater is how open the main front seating is. For a casual film, it makes sense to kick back on a comfy couch and bask in the screen’s glow, but the tiered seating means that there’s more than enough space for the whole family and a few distant relations to boot.

We also love how the clean lighting lines of this space pull the viewer’s attention toward the screen (and, speaking of lights, that projector must be the real deal to get that crisp with that much ambient lighting going on). Theaters like this seem to hover at around the $500,000 mark, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving up early.

well-loved and lived-inwell-loved and lived-in

We see this as our chance to curate a selection of the coolest, the craziest, the most elegant, and the most practical home theaters out there. Just like with a good mix-tape (does anyone still do those?), we like to go from the completely out of this world back to the realm that most of us live in.

This gorgeous home theater feels well-loved and lived-in, exactly the sort of place we’d want to visit and watch a film or ten. Care with the painting choice around the walls, the sleek lighting design, and the insanely comfortable-looking couch (which the owner verifies is still comfy even after four years of use) make this impressive space a real winner in our eyes. Notice the careful positioning of the sound system, too. The designer really knows their stuff when it comes to proper surround sound.

Attic home theaterAttic home theater
Pinterest

Here’s another true home theater, built this time in the attic! Rather than a projector, this designer opted for an impressive 120” television but brought in a darling model of a classic projector to tie in the classic film aesthetic. This space feels like just the right mixture of homey and production. Entering this attic theater is certain to take you out of the world but where comfort is still clearly key. We also love the classic popcorn posters and the dedicated popcorn machine, elements that we strongly believe need to exist in every home theater.

Home theater by a true aficionadoHome theater by a true aficionado
Pinterest

You can tell a true home theater aficionado by their sound set-up, and this theater is a perfect example. With a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system, the audio environment in this home theater is sure to be something out of this world. Going deeper, those absorbent sound panels will soften the speakers’ reflections, making every line of dialog seem warm and intimate to the ear. Going beyond the sound design, however, we have to say that we also love the solid wooden frame that the 150” screen is housed within, just the sort of subtle luxury that makes it feel like a special occasion every time you sit down for a film (and, judging by the well-worn leather seating, this room has seen a lot of film-watching love).

We would never leave this home theaterWe would never leave this home theater
Pinterest

As we’ve said before, we are all about the comfort level when it comes to home theaters. We dig the grand and the outrageous, but what we really love the most at the end of the day is the sort of place that feels intimate and cozy. This wonderful theater design is a mixture of purchased tech and solid DIY construction and is clearly a labor of love. We also spent a long time admiring that impressive DVD collection and the extra comfortable seating arrangement that provides space for intimate family gatherings and larger friend-circle events as well.

Big screen and lots of bobbleheadsBig screen and lots of bobbleheads

All the little touches are what really make this theater shine. Nifty lighting, solid 7.1 surround sound, carpeted tiered seating, and a great bobble-head collection. Something about this room speaks to us, and it says… “start the film already!” Of course, we generally prefer to go with projectors when it comes to home theaters, for that special flickery effect and the immense screen size they provide, but we have the feeling that once you’re nestled into one of those big chairs, you’ll feel right at home.

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theaterSleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater
Pinterest

These folks realized that their extra storage room possessed a far greater destiny. By the end of 2020, they were missing the experience of venturing forth to the theater, so they decided to solve that problem with a bit of DIY… and we think they are our new favorite people. The sleek design, retro-style bulbs, classy framed posters, huge projector screen, and excellent reclining seating all come together to make this one of our absolute top home theaters. This is just the sort of magic that pretty much anyone with a spare room can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn fromDual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

Not everybody has a whole room they can dedicate to their home theater, but the good news is that a great home theater doesn’t need one! This clever and compact home theater features all the elements needed for an immersive cinema experience, including the great aesthetic lights and the “cinema” movie ticket poster, all while sharing the space with the kitchen and living room! Clearly, this is the sort of space where long hangout sessions can be had and where both cinema and intensive video game marathons are the order of the day.

A DIY basement theaterA DIY basement theater

We love seeing what ordinary folk get up to when they decide to build themselves a home theater because the DIY approach always brings with it the designer’s personality. We think the simplicity of this space is perfect and are honestly hard-pressed to consider any better way to use an empty basement room. With the lights down and the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the air, this little home theater would be the ideal place to marathon all our favorite films.

This Holomax is a labor of loveThis Holomax is a labor of love

Nobody looking at this home theater could see anything but a true labor of love. With just four seats and a DVD collection numbering in the hundreds-of-hundreds, the builder of this “Holomax” theater is a cinephile after our own hearts. The care and attention to detail, the well-placed lighting, the extra-large screen, and the fully carpeted risers give us the impression of being transported into a special theater-pod. Something about that great red leather seating thrills us, too, and makes the whole room look majestic.

Never fight over the covers again when you use two single duvets instead of one.
Nov 19, 2020
10 minutes

When my husband and I spent a night in Iceland a few years ago, we were surprised to find our double bed was made with two side-by-side single duvets instead of one that covered the entire mattress.

 

30 Amazing Home Theaters from the Cozy to the Collossal

You won’t believe these are “home” theaters!
Odin Odin (4)
Feb 2, 2021
0

Before the birth of the television age, in the latter half of the 1920s, the trend of majestic “movie palaces” (or “picture palaces” in the United Kingdom) caught the delighted imaginations of the masses. There were elaborate, beautiful, complicated constructs; movie palaces were designed to capture a sense of opulent splendor and truly transport the viewer into a new reality once they crossed the theater’s threshold. They were so popular between 1925 and 1930 that hundreds of new movie palaces were opening each year.

Now, we may not live in the age of public movie palaces anymore, but the idea of being transported out of normal life and into the magic of the silver screen has never left our minds. For those with the time and resources, the construction of private movie palaces is a realizable dream, and the designs that these individuals create are oftentimes simply out of this world.

We love finding new designs for home theaters, from the quirky to the comfortable, the geeky to the bizarre, not only because they’re completely awesome, but because they can give us hints about what we want when we design our own home theaters to capture our own family’s heart and mind.

Posted in these interests:
h/home27 guides
The ZiegfeldThe Ziegfeld
Pinterest

This incredible home theater is a pure letter of love to the cinema experience, and we could not be more thrilled to show off every piece of this amazing theater in a full photo walk-through. While other theaters on our list have outdone themselves for interior opulence, this theater goes even further by making the very experience of walking up to the theater doors a trip into the magic of movie palaces past.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside, you have a classic theater lobby, complete with a concession bar.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

Now, if that doesn’t whet your appetite for getting a head start on your own home theater, we don’t know what will.

comfortable home theatercomfortable home theater

Kicking off our list, we have an impressively sleek and yet relaxed home theater. We especially love the giant stuffed moose behind the couch. Really, though, everything about this theater speaks to us — it’s the sort of space that the whole family could gather to relax at the end of the day, but it would also cater to larger movie parties. We think that the best touches are the artistic lighting and the movie posters on the walls (which help lend a certain gravitas to the whole room, bringing it together).

According to the builder, this all cost them around $7,000, but for the ultimate home movie den, that sounds about right to us.

You gussed it right - that's a hidden hatchYou gussed it right - that's a hidden hatch
Pinterest

We’ve reached the final two theaters on our list now, and we’ve made sure to keep some of the best for last. That’s why we’re going all-out: you get to see every detail of these theaters and bask in the magnificence of true shrines to the silver screen.

This is probably our all-time personal favorite because we are ultimately total geeks, and this room speaks to the geek in us more than we can say with words, which is why we’ll use pictures.

And before you ask: why yes, this theater is accessed via a secret room. And yes, the door does open at a vocal command.

It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.
We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.
And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.
everyday simplicityeveryday simplicity

Here we have another impressive home theater, exactly the sort of thing that it would be possible to fit into an average home. If you’re a true film geek, having your own home theater is basically a requirement, so giving up that spare bedroom is a pretty easy concession to make. We like this theater’s everyday simplicity because it feels like the sort of place we could easily relax in after a long day of work. But what makes it really pop are the movie posters and the elegant black paint, which will help keep the reflected light down to a manageable level.

A home theater with a crazy origin storyA home theater with a crazy origin story
Pinterest

This home theater has a story. Though it now resides in Los Angeles in its owner’s home, it did not start its life there. The whole room was actually built in Florida, then disassembled and moved in pieces across the country to where it now sits installed in its new home. We’ve mentioned “movie palaces” before, but this theater takes that classic idea to a whole different level of luxury, where just looking at it makes you feel like you’re under-dressed. Back in the day, this would be the sort of place where liveried attendants waited on you hand and foot as you looked up in awe at the grand stars of the age.

Home cinemaHome cinema

Now, this is just an absolute beauty. We’ve been missing going out to the movies lately, but with this incredible home theater, you’d always have the perfect cinema within your reach. The builder put a lot of thought into this one, with the classic movie theater aesthetic carefully applied to every design choice. The main speakers are even directly behind the screen, just like in a real movie theater, so that the sounds and the images are melded into one perfect union.

But get this, the owner has ended up moving to a new home since they completed this theater, and they promise that next time they’re going to go even bigger and better. That means that somewhere out there, this beauty is probably up for sale. We’re going to be on the lookout, how about you?

High-tech UK theaterHigh-tech UK theater

For those looking to go the middle-approach to home theater construction, rather than designing a whole wing of the building for the theater or going the DIY approach, having specialty designers come in and do the work for you can be a real pleasure. That’s the approach that footballer Jeremy Lynch took when he decided that his home needed its own private theater.

Lynch’s UK home theater features high-tech LED lighting that can shift colors, create patterns, and dim to appropriate levels, and the seating design here is likewise truly inspired. Rather than go for something that restricts the ability to lounge, this design is made for nothing but lounging—and we think it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Superhero colorsSuperhero colors

We adore the color combinations of this home theater—the red and blue give us that warm superhero feeling as well as a sense of pure luxury. We would definitely describe this theater as “epic” when telling our friends about it. The designer clearly went to great lengths to create this basement theater, which sits just off from a great basement play area featuring gaming tables and an old-fashioned arcade. This is the place we all dreamed about as kids.

LotR Aesthetic CinemaLotR Aesthetic Cinema

We cannot imagine a better way to watch our favorite film series (Lord of the Rings, obviously) than by kicking back in this incredible home theater. Plush carpets, deliciously matte walls, elegant lighting, and the perfect movie posters to complement the mood. The seats are tiered, too, so everyone has a clear view of the screen, and at the front the designer’s included a selection of all their gaming technology, allowing them and their guests to geek out with everything from retro SNES setups to the latest Cyberpunk 2077 madness. They said that this was their third attempt at creating a home theater since their military career kept them moving and, by golly, we think that the third time sure is the charm!

A bit boxy but cleverly designedA bit boxy but cleverly designed
Pinterest

The fun thing about designing a home theater from scratch is anything is possible. This home theater started as an oddly-shaped 20×20 room (audio principles make a space like this not so great for acoustics), but the designer worked his magic to turn it into a real private cinema experience by narrowing the room and using some of that then-extra space to put in a little kitchenette complete with snack station (we approve). Notice how the world-class projector is housed, too, which will eliminate almost all noise, giving the audio system free rein to fill the air.

Plush red velvet home theaterPlush red velvet home theater
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If you live in the United Kingdom and want your home theater done right, well, these guys are clearly the people to call. Every piece of this home theater speaks to our nerdy souls — especially the starry sky that awaits you when you turn off all the lights. The plush red velvet seating and carpeting might remind us a little of Emperor Palpatine’s chambers…

…but if the Dark Side is the price we need to pay to have this theater in our homes then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

swanky little home theaterswanky little home theater

This swanky little home theater apparently took ten years to plan and build, and that care and dedication show. What sticks out to us is that this theater’s aural environment clearly took the focus, with a full surround sound experience and behind-the-screen speakers certain to immerse the viewers in an audio ocean. We really dig the media server room’s design, too, which sits in its own space just off the main theater and allows for easy rear access through a side door. It always makes us happy to see designers who think about every aspect of their home theater before setting to work.

A 1920s movie palaceA 1920s movie palace
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Okay, the realistic DIY stuff that anyone can do is cool, but what happens when you have the budget to turn a whole wing of your house into a proper movie theater? Well, it turns out that someone decided to find out. This home theater reminds us of a 1920s movie palace, complete with the shaded lighting and minimalist elegance of the whole aesthetic. We’d probably want to get dressed up in our evening wear for a visit to this home theater, but we’d likely skip on the formal dinner in favor of watching two films in a row.

lights and carpetlights and carpet

We love those lights. As in: we need them in our own home theater STAT. Something about the conical glow and the hyperactive carpet gives off the instant vibe of being in a real theater, and those seats look just the right amount of firm. There’s a dedicated popcorn machine in the theater foyer, too, which we’re certain gets plenty of use. This might be an example of a home theater at the upper end of the average budget, but we think every penny is worth it for such a sleek design.

Sleek home theaterSleek home theater
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Okay, can we just say “wow”? The sleek lines of this home theater all seem to radiate toward that central screen; the electric blue lighting hints at a space filled with magic, and that beast of a projector is certain to deliver only the crispest visual experience. What’s more, the seating looks thick enough to keep an audience comfy even through an epic Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon.

Rustic black box-style home theaterRustic black box-style home theater

The owner wants to preface this by letting us know that they’re not professional at woodworking, but we absolutely adore the rustic design on this home theater and its custom rear riser. It has a black box theater vibe that we imagine makes it feel like stepping into a whole new world. Plus, just outside in the entrance, there’s a perfectly-placed rolling popcorn machine that no-doubt fills this whole space with mouth-watering buttery goodness. Where do we sign up for a tour?!

Starry cinema with 15-foot screenStarry cinema with 15-foot screen
Pinterest

This home theater is basically a fully-fledged cinema to our eyes, and the epic starry ceiling with the classic LED lights pulls this together in the perfect way to remind us that seeing a movie on the silver screen should be an experience to remember. Those real leather seats look incredible, too. We’re willing to bet, though, that with those comfy seats the whopping fifteen-foot screen, we’d be hard-pressed ever to leave. We would definitely have to line up careers as film reviewers because that room would be our new live-in location.

DIY media roomDIY media room

After the last couple of home theaters, we wanted to bring ourselves back to Earth for a moment and consider something a bit more doable for the average film enthusiast. Luckily, the folks at CraftedWorkshop had us covered with this cheerful and intimate media room. To turn it into a home theater, all you need to do is turn on the projector and dim the lights—a colorful living room becomes, suddenly, a perfectly immersive home theater. We love this not only because it’s cute and incredibly well-designed but because it’s 100% a doable project for any ordinary home.

Homey home theaterHomey home theater

This home theater feels like the ideal hangout room for a properly geeky family, and we adore it. We dig the well-loved look of those seats and the great artwork on those back panels, but we also see the clear care put into the design of this fantastic little space. What’s not pictured here, near the screen, is the beautiful homage to tech gone by in the form of glorious wood-housed speakers, a vinyl turntable, and a classic DVD player. We admire the home theater owner who takes good enough care of their DVD collection to still use them in this, the age of the streaming wars.

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seatsDolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats
Pinterest

You can’t tell… but those seats move. That’s right, once you kick back, you’re going to be quite literally immersed in the cinema experience. This incredible Dolby Atmos Home Theater is probably one of the most high-tech theaters on our list, and it likely blows away the competition when it comes to an immerse audio experience. Everything about this home theater is as sleek as polished leather—which, incidentally, also happens to be what those seats are upholstered with.

Streamlined and uniqueStreamlined and unique
Pinterest

There are whole companies out there dedicated to one purpose… bring the theater-going dreams of their clients to life.

This installation is by Cinematech, one such specialty company, and the work they do is frankly gorgeous. Streamlined and unique to each space’s needs, we spent far too long ogling their impressive display collection. What we love most about this theater is how open the main front seating is. For a casual film, it makes sense to kick back on a comfy couch and bask in the screen’s glow, but the tiered seating means that there’s more than enough space for the whole family and a few distant relations to boot.

We also love how the clean lighting lines of this space pull the viewer’s attention toward the screen (and, speaking of lights, that projector must be the real deal to get that crisp with that much ambient lighting going on). Theaters like this seem to hover at around the $500,000 mark, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving up early.

well-loved and lived-inwell-loved and lived-in

We see this as our chance to curate a selection of the coolest, the craziest, the most elegant, and the most practical home theaters out there. Just like with a good mix-tape (does anyone still do those?), we like to go from the completely out of this world back to the realm that most of us live in.

This gorgeous home theater feels well-loved and lived-in, exactly the sort of place we’d want to visit and watch a film or ten. Care with the painting choice around the walls, the sleek lighting design, and the insanely comfortable-looking couch (which the owner verifies is still comfy even after four years of use) make this impressive space a real winner in our eyes. Notice the careful positioning of the sound system, too. The designer really knows their stuff when it comes to proper surround sound.

Attic home theaterAttic home theater
Pinterest

Here’s another true home theater, built this time in the attic! Rather than a projector, this designer opted for an impressive 120” television but brought in a darling model of a classic projector to tie in the classic film aesthetic. This space feels like just the right mixture of homey and production. Entering this attic theater is certain to take you out of the world but where comfort is still clearly key. We also love the classic popcorn posters and the dedicated popcorn machine, elements that we strongly believe need to exist in every home theater.

Home theater by a true aficionadoHome theater by a true aficionado
Pinterest

You can tell a true home theater aficionado by their sound set-up, and this theater is a perfect example. With a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system, the audio environment in this home theater is sure to be something out of this world. Going deeper, those absorbent sound panels will soften the speakers’ reflections, making every line of dialog seem warm and intimate to the ear. Going beyond the sound design, however, we have to say that we also love the solid wooden frame that the 150” screen is housed within, just the sort of subtle luxury that makes it feel like a special occasion every time you sit down for a film (and, judging by the well-worn leather seating, this room has seen a lot of film-watching love).

We would never leave this home theaterWe would never leave this home theater
Pinterest

As we’ve said before, we are all about the comfort level when it comes to home theaters. We dig the grand and the outrageous, but what we really love the most at the end of the day is the sort of place that feels intimate and cozy. This wonderful theater design is a mixture of purchased tech and solid DIY construction and is clearly a labor of love. We also spent a long time admiring that impressive DVD collection and the extra comfortable seating arrangement that provides space for intimate family gatherings and larger friend-circle events as well.

Big screen and lots of bobbleheadsBig screen and lots of bobbleheads

All the little touches are what really make this theater shine. Nifty lighting, solid 7.1 surround sound, carpeted tiered seating, and a great bobble-head collection. Something about this room speaks to us, and it says… “start the film already!” Of course, we generally prefer to go with projectors when it comes to home theaters, for that special flickery effect and the immense screen size they provide, but we have the feeling that once you’re nestled into one of those big chairs, you’ll feel right at home.

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theaterSleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater
Pinterest

These folks realized that their extra storage room possessed a far greater destiny. By the end of 2020, they were missing the experience of venturing forth to the theater, so they decided to solve that problem with a bit of DIY… and we think they are our new favorite people. The sleek design, retro-style bulbs, classy framed posters, huge projector screen, and excellent reclining seating all come together to make this one of our absolute top home theaters. This is just the sort of magic that pretty much anyone with a spare room can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn fromDual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

Not everybody has a whole room they can dedicate to their home theater, but the good news is that a great home theater doesn’t need one! This clever and compact home theater features all the elements needed for an immersive cinema experience, including the great aesthetic lights and the “cinema” movie ticket poster, all while sharing the space with the kitchen and living room! Clearly, this is the sort of space where long hangout sessions can be had and where both cinema and intensive video game marathons are the order of the day.

A DIY basement theaterA DIY basement theater

We love seeing what ordinary folk get up to when they decide to build themselves a home theater because the DIY approach always brings with it the designer’s personality. We think the simplicity of this space is perfect and are honestly hard-pressed to consider any better way to use an empty basement room. With the lights down and the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the air, this little home theater would be the ideal place to marathon all our favorite films.

This Holomax is a labor of loveThis Holomax is a labor of love

Nobody looking at this home theater could see anything but a true labor of love. With just four seats and a DVD collection numbering in the hundreds-of-hundreds, the builder of this “Holomax” theater is a cinephile after our own hearts. The care and attention to detail, the well-placed lighting, the extra-large screen, and the fully carpeted risers give us the impression of being transported into a special theater-pod. Something about that great red leather seating thrills us, too, and makes the whole room look majestic.

Never fight over the covers again when you use two single duvets instead of one.
Nov 19, 2020
10 minutes

When my husband and I spent a night in Iceland a few years ago, we were surprised to find our double bed was made with two side-by-side single duvets instead of one that covered the entire mattress.

30 Amazing Home Theaters from the Cozy to the Collossal

You won’t believe these are “home” theaters!
Odin Odin (4)
Feb 2, 2021
0

Before the birth of the television age, in the latter half of the 1920s, the trend of majestic “movie palaces” (or “picture palaces” in the United Kingdom) caught the delighted imaginations of the masses. There were elaborate, beautiful, complicated constructs; movie palaces were designed to capture a sense of opulent splendor and truly transport the viewer into a new reality once they crossed the theater’s threshold. They were so popular between 1925 and 1930 that hundreds of new movie palaces were opening each year.

Now, we may not live in the age of public movie palaces anymore, but the idea of being transported out of normal life and into the magic of the silver screen has never left our minds. For those with the time and resources, the construction of private movie palaces is a realizable dream, and the designs that these individuals create are oftentimes simply out of this world.

We love finding new designs for home theaters, from the quirky to the comfortable, the geeky to the bizarre, not only because they’re completely awesome, but because they can give us hints about what we want when we design our own home theaters to capture our own family’s heart and mind.

Posted in these interests:
h/home27 guides

30 Amazing Home Theaters from the Cozy to the Collossal

You won’t believe these are “home” theaters!
Odin Odin (4)
Feb 2, 2021
0
Odin
 
15 DIY Home Theater Hacks & Essentials for the Perfect Setup 15 DIY Home Theater Hacks & Essentials for the Perfect SetupAn overview of everything you need to think about when creating a home theater!
15 DIY Home Theater Hacks & Essentials for the Perfect Setup
Posted in these interests:
h/home27 guides
Posted in these interests:
h/home27 guides
 
In these interests
h/home27 guides
h/home27 guides
The ZiegfeldThe Ziegfeld
Pinterest

This incredible home theater is a pure letter of love to the cinema experience, and we could not be more thrilled to show off every piece of this amazing theater in a full photo walk-through. While other theaters on our list have outdone themselves for interior opulence, this theater goes even further by making the very experience of walking up to the theater doors a trip into the magic of movie palaces past.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside, you have a classic theater lobby, complete with a concession bar.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

Now, if that doesn’t whet your appetite for getting a head start on your own home theater, we don’t know what will.

comfortable home theatercomfortable home theater

Kicking off our list, we have an impressively sleek and yet relaxed home theater. We especially love the giant stuffed moose behind the couch. Really, though, everything about this theater speaks to us — it’s the sort of space that the whole family could gather to relax at the end of the day, but it would also cater to larger movie parties. We think that the best touches are the artistic lighting and the movie posters on the walls (which help lend a certain gravitas to the whole room, bringing it together).

According to the builder, this all cost them around $7,000, but for the ultimate home movie den, that sounds about right to us.

You gussed it right - that's a hidden hatchYou gussed it right - that's a hidden hatch
Pinterest

We’ve reached the final two theaters on our list now, and we’ve made sure to keep some of the best for last. That’s why we’re going all-out: you get to see every detail of these theaters and bask in the magnificence of true shrines to the silver screen.

This is probably our all-time personal favorite because we are ultimately total geeks, and this room speaks to the geek in us more than we can say with words, which is why we’ll use pictures.

And before you ask: why yes, this theater is accessed via a secret room. And yes, the door does open at a vocal command.

It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.
We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.
And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.
everyday simplicityeveryday simplicity

Here we have another impressive home theater, exactly the sort of thing that it would be possible to fit into an average home. If you’re a true film geek, having your own home theater is basically a requirement, so giving up that spare bedroom is a pretty easy concession to make. We like this theater’s everyday simplicity because it feels like the sort of place we could easily relax in after a long day of work. But what makes it really pop are the movie posters and the elegant black paint, which will help keep the reflected light down to a manageable level.

A home theater with a crazy origin storyA home theater with a crazy origin story
Pinterest

This home theater has a story. Though it now resides in Los Angeles in its owner’s home, it did not start its life there. The whole room was actually built in Florida, then disassembled and moved in pieces across the country to where it now sits installed in its new home. We’ve mentioned “movie palaces” before, but this theater takes that classic idea to a whole different level of luxury, where just looking at it makes you feel like you’re under-dressed. Back in the day, this would be the sort of place where liveried attendants waited on you hand and foot as you looked up in awe at the grand stars of the age.

Home cinemaHome cinema

Now, this is just an absolute beauty. We’ve been missing going out to the movies lately, but with this incredible home theater, you’d always have the perfect cinema within your reach. The builder put a lot of thought into this one, with the classic movie theater aesthetic carefully applied to every design choice. The main speakers are even directly behind the screen, just like in a real movie theater, so that the sounds and the images are melded into one perfect union.

But get this, the owner has ended up moving to a new home since they completed this theater, and they promise that next time they’re going to go even bigger and better. That means that somewhere out there, this beauty is probably up for sale. We’re going to be on the lookout, how about you?

High-tech UK theaterHigh-tech UK theater

For those looking to go the middle-approach to home theater construction, rather than designing a whole wing of the building for the theater or going the DIY approach, having specialty designers come in and do the work for you can be a real pleasure. That’s the approach that footballer Jeremy Lynch took when he decided that his home needed its own private theater.

Lynch’s UK home theater features high-tech LED lighting that can shift colors, create patterns, and dim to appropriate levels, and the seating design here is likewise truly inspired. Rather than go for something that restricts the ability to lounge, this design is made for nothing but lounging—and we think it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Superhero colorsSuperhero colors

We adore the color combinations of this home theater—the red and blue give us that warm superhero feeling as well as a sense of pure luxury. We would definitely describe this theater as “epic” when telling our friends about it. The designer clearly went to great lengths to create this basement theater, which sits just off from a great basement play area featuring gaming tables and an old-fashioned arcade. This is the place we all dreamed about as kids.

LotR Aesthetic CinemaLotR Aesthetic Cinema

We cannot imagine a better way to watch our favorite film series (Lord of the Rings, obviously) than by kicking back in this incredible home theater. Plush carpets, deliciously matte walls, elegant lighting, and the perfect movie posters to complement the mood. The seats are tiered, too, so everyone has a clear view of the screen, and at the front the designer’s included a selection of all their gaming technology, allowing them and their guests to geek out with everything from retro SNES setups to the latest Cyberpunk 2077 madness. They said that this was their third attempt at creating a home theater since their military career kept them moving and, by golly, we think that the third time sure is the charm!

A bit boxy but cleverly designedA bit boxy but cleverly designed
Pinterest

The fun thing about designing a home theater from scratch is anything is possible. This home theater started as an oddly-shaped 20×20 room (audio principles make a space like this not so great for acoustics), but the designer worked his magic to turn it into a real private cinema experience by narrowing the room and using some of that then-extra space to put in a little kitchenette complete with snack station (we approve). Notice how the world-class projector is housed, too, which will eliminate almost all noise, giving the audio system free rein to fill the air.

Plush red velvet home theaterPlush red velvet home theater
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If you live in the United Kingdom and want your home theater done right, well, these guys are clearly the people to call. Every piece of this home theater speaks to our nerdy souls — especially the starry sky that awaits you when you turn off all the lights. The plush red velvet seating and carpeting might remind us a little of Emperor Palpatine’s chambers…

…but if the Dark Side is the price we need to pay to have this theater in our homes then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

swanky little home theaterswanky little home theater

This swanky little home theater apparently took ten years to plan and build, and that care and dedication show. What sticks out to us is that this theater’s aural environment clearly took the focus, with a full surround sound experience and behind-the-screen speakers certain to immerse the viewers in an audio ocean. We really dig the media server room’s design, too, which sits in its own space just off the main theater and allows for easy rear access through a side door. It always makes us happy to see designers who think about every aspect of their home theater before setting to work.

A 1920s movie palaceA 1920s movie palace
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Okay, the realistic DIY stuff that anyone can do is cool, but what happens when you have the budget to turn a whole wing of your house into a proper movie theater? Well, it turns out that someone decided to find out. This home theater reminds us of a 1920s movie palace, complete with the shaded lighting and minimalist elegance of the whole aesthetic. We’d probably want to get dressed up in our evening wear for a visit to this home theater, but we’d likely skip on the formal dinner in favor of watching two films in a row.

lights and carpetlights and carpet

We love those lights. As in: we need them in our own home theater STAT. Something about the conical glow and the hyperactive carpet gives off the instant vibe of being in a real theater, and those seats look just the right amount of firm. There’s a dedicated popcorn machine in the theater foyer, too, which we’re certain gets plenty of use. This might be an example of a home theater at the upper end of the average budget, but we think every penny is worth it for such a sleek design.

Sleek home theaterSleek home theater
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Okay, can we just say “wow”? The sleek lines of this home theater all seem to radiate toward that central screen; the electric blue lighting hints at a space filled with magic, and that beast of a projector is certain to deliver only the crispest visual experience. What’s more, the seating looks thick enough to keep an audience comfy even through an epic Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon.

Rustic black box-style home theaterRustic black box-style home theater

The owner wants to preface this by letting us know that they’re not professional at woodworking, but we absolutely adore the rustic design on this home theater and its custom rear riser. It has a black box theater vibe that we imagine makes it feel like stepping into a whole new world. Plus, just outside in the entrance, there’s a perfectly-placed rolling popcorn machine that no-doubt fills this whole space with mouth-watering buttery goodness. Where do we sign up for a tour?!

Starry cinema with 15-foot screenStarry cinema with 15-foot screen
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This home theater is basically a fully-fledged cinema to our eyes, and the epic starry ceiling with the classic LED lights pulls this together in the perfect way to remind us that seeing a movie on the silver screen should be an experience to remember. Those real leather seats look incredible, too. We’re willing to bet, though, that with those comfy seats the whopping fifteen-foot screen, we’d be hard-pressed ever to leave. We would definitely have to line up careers as film reviewers because that room would be our new live-in location.

DIY media roomDIY media room

After the last couple of home theaters, we wanted to bring ourselves back to Earth for a moment and consider something a bit more doable for the average film enthusiast. Luckily, the folks at CraftedWorkshop had us covered with this cheerful and intimate media room. To turn it into a home theater, all you need to do is turn on the projector and dim the lights—a colorful living room becomes, suddenly, a perfectly immersive home theater. We love this not only because it’s cute and incredibly well-designed but because it’s 100% a doable project for any ordinary home.

Homey home theaterHomey home theater

This home theater feels like the ideal hangout room for a properly geeky family, and we adore it. We dig the well-loved look of those seats and the great artwork on those back panels, but we also see the clear care put into the design of this fantastic little space. What’s not pictured here, near the screen, is the beautiful homage to tech gone by in the form of glorious wood-housed speakers, a vinyl turntable, and a classic DVD player. We admire the home theater owner who takes good enough care of their DVD collection to still use them in this, the age of the streaming wars.

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seatsDolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats
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You can’t tell… but those seats move. That’s right, once you kick back, you’re going to be quite literally immersed in the cinema experience. This incredible Dolby Atmos Home Theater is probably one of the most high-tech theaters on our list, and it likely blows away the competition when it comes to an immerse audio experience. Everything about this home theater is as sleek as polished leather—which, incidentally, also happens to be what those seats are upholstered with.

Streamlined and uniqueStreamlined and unique
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There are whole companies out there dedicated to one purpose… bring the theater-going dreams of their clients to life.

This installation is by Cinematech, one such specialty company, and the work they do is frankly gorgeous. Streamlined and unique to each space’s needs, we spent far too long ogling their impressive display collection. What we love most about this theater is how open the main front seating is. For a casual film, it makes sense to kick back on a comfy couch and bask in the screen’s glow, but the tiered seating means that there’s more than enough space for the whole family and a few distant relations to boot.

We also love how the clean lighting lines of this space pull the viewer’s attention toward the screen (and, speaking of lights, that projector must be the real deal to get that crisp with that much ambient lighting going on). Theaters like this seem to hover at around the $500,000 mark, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving up early.

well-loved and lived-inwell-loved and lived-in

We see this as our chance to curate a selection of the coolest, the craziest, the most elegant, and the most practical home theaters out there. Just like with a good mix-tape (does anyone still do those?), we like to go from the completely out of this world back to the realm that most of us live in.

This gorgeous home theater feels well-loved and lived-in, exactly the sort of place we’d want to visit and watch a film or ten. Care with the painting choice around the walls, the sleek lighting design, and the insanely comfortable-looking couch (which the owner verifies is still comfy even after four years of use) make this impressive space a real winner in our eyes. Notice the careful positioning of the sound system, too. The designer really knows their stuff when it comes to proper surround sound.

Attic home theaterAttic home theater
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Here’s another true home theater, built this time in the attic! Rather than a projector, this designer opted for an impressive 120” television but brought in a darling model of a classic projector to tie in the classic film aesthetic. This space feels like just the right mixture of homey and production. Entering this attic theater is certain to take you out of the world but where comfort is still clearly key. We also love the classic popcorn posters and the dedicated popcorn machine, elements that we strongly believe need to exist in every home theater.

Home theater by a true aficionadoHome theater by a true aficionado
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You can tell a true home theater aficionado by their sound set-up, and this theater is a perfect example. With a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system, the audio environment in this home theater is sure to be something out of this world. Going deeper, those absorbent sound panels will soften the speakers’ reflections, making every line of dialog seem warm and intimate to the ear. Going beyond the sound design, however, we have to say that we also love the solid wooden frame that the 150” screen is housed within, just the sort of subtle luxury that makes it feel like a special occasion every time you sit down for a film (and, judging by the well-worn leather seating, this room has seen a lot of film-watching love).

We would never leave this home theaterWe would never leave this home theater
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As we’ve said before, we are all about the comfort level when it comes to home theaters. We dig the grand and the outrageous, but what we really love the most at the end of the day is the sort of place that feels intimate and cozy. This wonderful theater design is a mixture of purchased tech and solid DIY construction and is clearly a labor of love. We also spent a long time admiring that impressive DVD collection and the extra comfortable seating arrangement that provides space for intimate family gatherings and larger friend-circle events as well.

Big screen and lots of bobbleheadsBig screen and lots of bobbleheads

All the little touches are what really make this theater shine. Nifty lighting, solid 7.1 surround sound, carpeted tiered seating, and a great bobble-head collection. Something about this room speaks to us, and it says… “start the film already!” Of course, we generally prefer to go with projectors when it comes to home theaters, for that special flickery effect and the immense screen size they provide, but we have the feeling that once you’re nestled into one of those big chairs, you’ll feel right at home.

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theaterSleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater
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These folks realized that their extra storage room possessed a far greater destiny. By the end of 2020, they were missing the experience of venturing forth to the theater, so they decided to solve that problem with a bit of DIY… and we think they are our new favorite people. The sleek design, retro-style bulbs, classy framed posters, huge projector screen, and excellent reclining seating all come together to make this one of our absolute top home theaters. This is just the sort of magic that pretty much anyone with a spare room can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn fromDual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

Not everybody has a whole room they can dedicate to their home theater, but the good news is that a great home theater doesn’t need one! This clever and compact home theater features all the elements needed for an immersive cinema experience, including the great aesthetic lights and the “cinema” movie ticket poster, all while sharing the space with the kitchen and living room! Clearly, this is the sort of space where long hangout sessions can be had and where both cinema and intensive video game marathons are the order of the day.

A DIY basement theaterA DIY basement theater

We love seeing what ordinary folk get up to when they decide to build themselves a home theater because the DIY approach always brings with it the designer’s personality. We think the simplicity of this space is perfect and are honestly hard-pressed to consider any better way to use an empty basement room. With the lights down and the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the air, this little home theater would be the ideal place to marathon all our favorite films.

This Holomax is a labor of loveThis Holomax is a labor of love

Nobody looking at this home theater could see anything but a true labor of love. With just four seats and a DVD collection numbering in the hundreds-of-hundreds, the builder of this “Holomax” theater is a cinephile after our own hearts. The care and attention to detail, the well-placed lighting, the extra-large screen, and the fully carpeted risers give us the impression of being transported into a special theater-pod. Something about that great red leather seating thrills us, too, and makes the whole room look majestic.

Never fight over the covers again when you use two single duvets instead of one.
Nov 19, 2020
10 minutes

When my husband and I spent a night in Iceland a few years ago, we were surprised to find our double bed was made with two side-by-side single duvets instead of one that covered the entire mattress.

The ZiegfeldThe Ziegfeld
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This incredible home theater is a pure letter of love to the cinema experience, and we could not be more thrilled to show off every piece of this amazing theater in a full photo walk-through. While other theaters on our list have outdone themselves for interior opulence, this theater goes even further by making the very experience of walking up to the theater doors a trip into the magic of movie palaces past.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside, you have a classic theater lobby, complete with a concession bar.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

Now, if that doesn’t whet your appetite for getting a head start on your own home theater, we don’t know what will.

The ZiegfeldThe Ziegfeld
Pinterest

This incredible home theater is a pure letter of love to the cinema experience, and we could not be more thrilled to show off every piece of this amazing theater in a full photo walk-through. While other theaters on our list have outdone themselves for interior opulence, this theater goes even further by making the very experience of walking up to the theater doors a trip into the magic of movie palaces past.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.This home theater is over 3,000 square feet, making it one of the largest in the world.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside, you have a classic theater lobby, complete with a concession bar.

Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.Oh yes, not only is there a marquee with a full ticket booth, on the inside you have a classic theater lobby, complete with concession bar.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.But of course, it’s the movie theater itself that we’re here for, and it does not disappoint.

Now, if that doesn’t whet your appetite for getting a head start on your own home theater, we don’t know what will.

Over 3000 feet of home theater glory

comfortable home theatercomfortable home theater

Kicking off our list, we have an impressively sleek and yet relaxed home theater. We especially love the giant stuffed moose behind the couch. Really, though, everything about this theater speaks to us — it’s the sort of space that the whole family could gather to relax at the end of the day, but it would also cater to larger movie parties. We think that the best touches are the artistic lighting and the movie posters on the walls (which help lend a certain gravitas to the whole room, bringing it together).

According to the builder, this all cost them around $7,000, but for the ultimate home movie den, that sounds about right to us.

comfortable home theatercomfortable home theater

Kicking off our list, we have an impressively sleek and yet relaxed home theater. We especially love the giant stuffed moose behind the couch. Really, though, everything about this theater speaks to us — it’s the sort of space that the whole family could gather to relax at the end of the day, but it would also cater to larger movie parties. We think that the best touches are the artistic lighting and the movie posters on the walls (which help lend a certain gravitas to the whole room, bringing it together).

According to the builder, this all cost them around $7,000, but for the ultimate home movie den, that sounds about right to us.

Stylish but comfortable

You gussed it right - that's a hidden hatchYou gussed it right - that's a hidden hatch
Pinterest

We’ve reached the final two theaters on our list now, and we’ve made sure to keep some of the best for last. That’s why we’re going all-out: you get to see every detail of these theaters and bask in the magnificence of true shrines to the silver screen.

This is probably our all-time personal favorite because we are ultimately total geeks, and this room speaks to the geek in us more than we can say with words, which is why we’ll use pictures.

And before you ask: why yes, this theater is accessed via a secret room. And yes, the door does open at a vocal command.

It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.
We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.
And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.
You gussed it right - that's a hidden hatchYou gussed it right - that's a hidden hatch
Pinterest

We’ve reached the final two theaters on our list now, and we’ve made sure to keep some of the best for last. That’s why we’re going all-out: you get to see every detail of these theaters and bask in the magnificence of true shrines to the silver screen.

This is probably our all-time personal favorite because we are ultimately total geeks, and this room speaks to the geek in us more than we can say with words, which is why we’ll use pictures.

And before you ask: why yes, this theater is accessed via a secret room. And yes, the door does open at a vocal command.

It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.It’s hard to believe that this isn’t actually a view out the window of a spaceship.
We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.We were pleased to see that the airlock functions perfectly in case of space-based emergencies.
And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.And, oh, right, there’s a screen as well. And a bar, just in case you literally never wanted to leave this den of magic and joy.

The ultimate theater to sooth the savage geek

everyday simplicityeveryday simplicity

Here we have another impressive home theater, exactly the sort of thing that it would be possible to fit into an average home. If you’re a true film geek, having your own home theater is basically a requirement, so giving up that spare bedroom is a pretty easy concession to make. We like this theater’s everyday simplicity because it feels like the sort of place we could easily relax in after a long day of work. But what makes it really pop are the movie posters and the elegant black paint, which will help keep the reflected light down to a manageable level.

everyday simplicityeveryday simplicity

Here we have another impressive home theater, exactly the sort of thing that it would be possible to fit into an average home. If you’re a true film geek, having your own home theater is basically a requirement, so giving up that spare bedroom is a pretty easy concession to make. We like this theater’s everyday simplicity because it feels like the sort of place we could easily relax in after a long day of work. But what makes it really pop are the movie posters and the elegant black paint, which will help keep the reflected light down to a manageable level.

Everyday simplicity

A home theater with a crazy origin storyA home theater with a crazy origin story
Pinterest

This home theater has a story. Though it now resides in Los Angeles in its owner’s home, it did not start its life there. The whole room was actually built in Florida, then disassembled and moved in pieces across the country to where it now sits installed in its new home. We’ve mentioned “movie palaces” before, but this theater takes that classic idea to a whole different level of luxury, where just looking at it makes you feel like you’re under-dressed. Back in the day, this would be the sort of place where liveried attendants waited on you hand and foot as you looked up in awe at the grand stars of the age.

A home theater with a crazy origin storyA home theater with a crazy origin story
Pinterest

This home theater has a story. Though it now resides in Los Angeles in its owner’s home, it did not start its life there. The whole room was actually built in Florida, then disassembled and moved in pieces across the country to where it now sits installed in its new home. We’ve mentioned “movie palaces” before, but this theater takes that classic idea to a whole different level of luxury, where just looking at it makes you feel like you’re under-dressed. Back in the day, this would be the sort of place where liveried attendants waited on you hand and foot as you looked up in awe at the grand stars of the age.

A home theater with a crazy origin story

Home cinemaHome cinema

Now, this is just an absolute beauty. We’ve been missing going out to the movies lately, but with this incredible home theater, you’d always have the perfect cinema within your reach. The builder put a lot of thought into this one, with the classic movie theater aesthetic carefully applied to every design choice. The main speakers are even directly behind the screen, just like in a real movie theater, so that the sounds and the images are melded into one perfect union.

But get this, the owner has ended up moving to a new home since they completed this theater, and they promise that next time they’re going to go even bigger and better. That means that somewhere out there, this beauty is probably up for sale. We’re going to be on the lookout, how about you?

Home cinemaHome cinema

Now, this is just an absolute beauty. We’ve been missing going out to the movies lately, but with this incredible home theater, you’d always have the perfect cinema within your reach. The builder put a lot of thought into this one, with the classic movie theater aesthetic carefully applied to every design choice. The main speakers are even directly behind the screen, just like in a real movie theater, so that the sounds and the images are melded into one perfect union.

But get this, the owner has ended up moving to a new home since they completed this theater, and they promise that next time they’re going to go even bigger and better. That means that somewhere out there, this beauty is probably up for sale. We’re going to be on the lookout, how about you?

Home cinema… for sale?

High-tech UK theaterHigh-tech UK theater

For those looking to go the middle-approach to home theater construction, rather than designing a whole wing of the building for the theater or going the DIY approach, having specialty designers come in and do the work for you can be a real pleasure. That’s the approach that footballer Jeremy Lynch took when he decided that his home needed its own private theater.

Lynch’s UK home theater features high-tech LED lighting that can shift colors, create patterns, and dim to appropriate levels, and the seating design here is likewise truly inspired. Rather than go for something that restricts the ability to lounge, this design is made for nothing but lounging—and we think it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

High-tech UK theaterHigh-tech UK theater

For those looking to go the middle-approach to home theater construction, rather than designing a whole wing of the building for the theater or going the DIY approach, having specialty designers come in and do the work for you can be a real pleasure. That’s the approach that footballer Jeremy Lynch took when he decided that his home needed its own private theater.

Lynch’s UK home theater features high-tech LED lighting that can shift colors, create patterns, and dim to appropriate levels, and the seating design here is likewise truly inspired. Rather than go for something that restricts the ability to lounge, this design is made for nothing but lounging—and we think it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen.

High-tech UK theater

Superhero colorsSuperhero colors

We adore the color combinations of this home theater—the red and blue give us that warm superhero feeling as well as a sense of pure luxury. We would definitely describe this theater as “epic” when telling our friends about it. The designer clearly went to great lengths to create this basement theater, which sits just off from a great basement play area featuring gaming tables and an old-fashioned arcade. This is the place we all dreamed about as kids.

Superhero colorsSuperhero colors

We adore the color combinations of this home theater—the red and blue give us that warm superhero feeling as well as a sense of pure luxury. We would definitely describe this theater as “epic” when telling our friends about it. The designer clearly went to great lengths to create this basement theater, which sits just off from a great basement play area featuring gaming tables and an old-fashioned arcade. This is the place we all dreamed about as kids.

Superhero colors

LotR Aesthetic CinemaLotR Aesthetic Cinema

We cannot imagine a better way to watch our favorite film series (Lord of the Rings, obviously) than by kicking back in this incredible home theater. Plush carpets, deliciously matte walls, elegant lighting, and the perfect movie posters to complement the mood. The seats are tiered, too, so everyone has a clear view of the screen, and at the front the designer’s included a selection of all their gaming technology, allowing them and their guests to geek out with everything from retro SNES setups to the latest Cyberpunk 2077 madness. They said that this was their third attempt at creating a home theater since their military career kept them moving and, by golly, we think that the third time sure is the charm!

LotR Aesthetic CinemaLotR Aesthetic Cinema

We cannot imagine a better way to watch our favorite film series (Lord of the Rings, obviously) than by kicking back in this incredible home theater. Plush carpets, deliciously matte walls, elegant lighting, and the perfect movie posters to complement the mood. The seats are tiered, too, so everyone has a clear view of the screen, and at the front the designer’s included a selection of all their gaming technology, allowing them and their guests to geek out with everything from retro SNES setups to the latest Cyberpunk 2077 madness. They said that this was their third attempt at creating a home theater since their military career kept them moving and, by golly, we think that the third time sure is the charm!

LotR Aesthetic Cinema

A bit boxy but cleverly designedA bit boxy but cleverly designed
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The fun thing about designing a home theater from scratch is anything is possible. This home theater started as an oddly-shaped 20×20 room (audio principles make a space like this not so great for acoustics), but the designer worked his magic to turn it into a real private cinema experience by narrowing the room and using some of that then-extra space to put in a little kitchenette complete with snack station (we approve). Notice how the world-class projector is housed, too, which will eliminate almost all noise, giving the audio system free rein to fill the air.

A bit boxy but cleverly designedA bit boxy but cleverly designed
Pinterest

The fun thing about designing a home theater from scratch is anything is possible. This home theater started as an oddly-shaped 20×20 room (audio principles make a space like this not so great for acoustics), but the designer worked his magic to turn it into a real private cinema experience by narrowing the room and using some of that then-extra space to put in a little kitchenette complete with snack station (we approve). Notice how the world-class projector is housed, too, which will eliminate almost all noise, giving the audio system free rein to fill the air.

A bit boxy but cleverly designed

Plush red velvet home theaterPlush red velvet home theater
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If you live in the United Kingdom and want your home theater done right, well, these guys are clearly the people to call. Every piece of this home theater speaks to our nerdy souls — especially the starry sky that awaits you when you turn off all the lights. The plush red velvet seating and carpeting might remind us a little of Emperor Palpatine’s chambers…

…but if the Dark Side is the price we need to pay to have this theater in our homes then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

Plush red velvet home theaterPlush red velvet home theater
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If you live in the United Kingdom and want your home theater done right, well, these guys are clearly the people to call. Every piece of this home theater speaks to our nerdy souls — especially the starry sky that awaits you when you turn off all the lights. The plush red velvet seating and carpeting might remind us a little of Emperor Palpatine’s chambers…

…but if the Dark Side is the price we need to pay to have this theater in our homes then it’s a price we’re willing to pay.

Plush red velvet home theater

swanky little home theaterswanky little home theater

This swanky little home theater apparently took ten years to plan and build, and that care and dedication show. What sticks out to us is that this theater’s aural environment clearly took the focus, with a full surround sound experience and behind-the-screen speakers certain to immerse the viewers in an audio ocean. We really dig the media server room’s design, too, which sits in its own space just off the main theater and allows for easy rear access through a side door. It always makes us happy to see designers who think about every aspect of their home theater before setting to work.

swanky little home theaterswanky little home theater

This swanky little home theater apparently took ten years to plan and build, and that care and dedication show. What sticks out to us is that this theater’s aural environment clearly took the focus, with a full surround sound experience and behind-the-screen speakers certain to immerse the viewers in an audio ocean. We really dig the media server room’s design, too, which sits in its own space just off the main theater and allows for easy rear access through a side door. It always makes us happy to see designers who think about every aspect of their home theater before setting to work.

Swanky little home theater

A 1920s movie palaceA 1920s movie palace
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Okay, the realistic DIY stuff that anyone can do is cool, but what happens when you have the budget to turn a whole wing of your house into a proper movie theater? Well, it turns out that someone decided to find out. This home theater reminds us of a 1920s movie palace, complete with the shaded lighting and minimalist elegance of the whole aesthetic. We’d probably want to get dressed up in our evening wear for a visit to this home theater, but we’d likely skip on the formal dinner in favor of watching two films in a row.

A 1920s movie palaceA 1920s movie palace
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Okay, the realistic DIY stuff that anyone can do is cool, but what happens when you have the budget to turn a whole wing of your house into a proper movie theater? Well, it turns out that someone decided to find out. This home theater reminds us of a 1920s movie palace, complete with the shaded lighting and minimalist elegance of the whole aesthetic. We’d probably want to get dressed up in our evening wear for a visit to this home theater, but we’d likely skip on the formal dinner in favor of watching two films in a row.

A 1920s movie palace… in your home

lights and carpetlights and carpet

We love those lights. As in: we need them in our own home theater STAT. Something about the conical glow and the hyperactive carpet gives off the instant vibe of being in a real theater, and those seats look just the right amount of firm. There’s a dedicated popcorn machine in the theater foyer, too, which we’re certain gets plenty of use. This might be an example of a home theater at the upper end of the average budget, but we think every penny is worth it for such a sleek design.

lights and carpetlights and carpet

We love those lights. As in: we need them in our own home theater STAT. Something about the conical glow and the hyperactive carpet gives off the instant vibe of being in a real theater, and those seats look just the right amount of firm. There’s a dedicated popcorn machine in the theater foyer, too, which we’re certain gets plenty of use. This might be an example of a home theater at the upper end of the average budget, but we think every penny is worth it for such a sleek design.

The most important aspects of a home theater: lights and carpet

Sleek home theaterSleek home theater
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Okay, can we just say “wow”? The sleek lines of this home theater all seem to radiate toward that central screen; the electric blue lighting hints at a space filled with magic, and that beast of a projector is certain to deliver only the crispest visual experience. What’s more, the seating looks thick enough to keep an audience comfy even through an epic Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon.

Sleek home theaterSleek home theater
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Okay, can we just say “wow”? The sleek lines of this home theater all seem to radiate toward that central screen; the electric blue lighting hints at a space filled with magic, and that beast of a projector is certain to deliver only the crispest visual experience. What’s more, the seating looks thick enough to keep an audience comfy even through an epic Marvel Cinematic Universe marathon.

Sleek home theater

Rustic black box-style home theaterRustic black box-style home theater

The owner wants to preface this by letting us know that they’re not professional at woodworking, but we absolutely adore the rustic design on this home theater and its custom rear riser. It has a black box theater vibe that we imagine makes it feel like stepping into a whole new world. Plus, just outside in the entrance, there’s a perfectly-placed rolling popcorn machine that no-doubt fills this whole space with mouth-watering buttery goodness. Where do we sign up for a tour?!

Rustic black box-style home theaterRustic black box-style home theater

The owner wants to preface this by letting us know that they’re not professional at woodworking, but we absolutely adore the rustic design on this home theater and its custom rear riser. It has a black box theater vibe that we imagine makes it feel like stepping into a whole new world. Plus, just outside in the entrance, there’s a perfectly-placed rolling popcorn machine that no-doubt fills this whole space with mouth-watering buttery goodness. Where do we sign up for a tour?!

Rustic black box-style home theater

Starry cinema with 15-foot screenStarry cinema with 15-foot screen
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This home theater is basically a fully-fledged cinema to our eyes, and the epic starry ceiling with the classic LED lights pulls this together in the perfect way to remind us that seeing a movie on the silver screen should be an experience to remember. Those real leather seats look incredible, too. We’re willing to bet, though, that with those comfy seats the whopping fifteen-foot screen, we’d be hard-pressed ever to leave. We would definitely have to line up careers as film reviewers because that room would be our new live-in location.

Starry cinema with 15-foot screenStarry cinema with 15-foot screen
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This home theater is basically a fully-fledged cinema to our eyes, and the epic starry ceiling with the classic LED lights pulls this together in the perfect way to remind us that seeing a movie on the silver screen should be an experience to remember. Those real leather seats look incredible, too. We’re willing to bet, though, that with those comfy seats the whopping fifteen-foot screen, we’d be hard-pressed ever to leave. We would definitely have to line up careers as film reviewers because that room would be our new live-in location.

Starry cinema with 15-foot screen

DIY media roomDIY media room

After the last couple of home theaters, we wanted to bring ourselves back to Earth for a moment and consider something a bit more doable for the average film enthusiast. Luckily, the folks at CraftedWorkshop had us covered with this cheerful and intimate media room. To turn it into a home theater, all you need to do is turn on the projector and dim the lights—a colorful living room becomes, suddenly, a perfectly immersive home theater. We love this not only because it’s cute and incredibly well-designed but because it’s 100% a doable project for any ordinary home.

DIY media roomDIY media room

After the last couple of home theaters, we wanted to bring ourselves back to Earth for a moment and consider something a bit more doable for the average film enthusiast. Luckily, the folks at CraftedWorkshop had us covered with this cheerful and intimate media room. To turn it into a home theater, all you need to do is turn on the projector and dim the lights—a colorful living room becomes, suddenly, a perfectly immersive home theater. We love this not only because it’s cute and incredibly well-designed but because it’s 100% a doable project for any ordinary home.

DIY media room

Homey home theaterHomey home theater

This home theater feels like the ideal hangout room for a properly geeky family, and we adore it. We dig the well-loved look of those seats and the great artwork on those back panels, but we also see the clear care put into the design of this fantastic little space. What’s not pictured here, near the screen, is the beautiful homage to tech gone by in the form of glorious wood-housed speakers, a vinyl turntable, and a classic DVD player. We admire the home theater owner who takes good enough care of their DVD collection to still use them in this, the age of the streaming wars.

Homey home theaterHomey home theater

This home theater feels like the ideal hangout room for a properly geeky family, and we adore it. We dig the well-loved look of those seats and the great artwork on those back panels, but we also see the clear care put into the design of this fantastic little space. What’s not pictured here, near the screen, is the beautiful homage to tech gone by in the form of glorious wood-housed speakers, a vinyl turntable, and a classic DVD player. We admire the home theater owner who takes good enough care of their DVD collection to still use them in this, the age of the streaming wars.

Homey home theater

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seatsDolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats
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You can’t tell… but those seats move. That’s right, once you kick back, you’re going to be quite literally immersed in the cinema experience. This incredible Dolby Atmos Home Theater is probably one of the most high-tech theaters on our list, and it likely blows away the competition when it comes to an immerse audio experience. Everything about this home theater is as sleek as polished leather—which, incidentally, also happens to be what those seats are upholstered with.

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seatsDolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats
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You can’t tell… but those seats move. That’s right, once you kick back, you’re going to be quite literally immersed in the cinema experience. This incredible Dolby Atmos Home Theater is probably one of the most high-tech theaters on our list, and it likely blows away the competition when it comes to an immerse audio experience. Everything about this home theater is as sleek as polished leather—which, incidentally, also happens to be what those seats are upholstered with.

Dolby Atmos home theater with rumble seats

Streamlined and uniqueStreamlined and unique
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There are whole companies out there dedicated to one purpose… bring the theater-going dreams of their clients to life.

This installation is by Cinematech, one such specialty company, and the work they do is frankly gorgeous. Streamlined and unique to each space’s needs, we spent far too long ogling their impressive display collection. What we love most about this theater is how open the main front seating is. For a casual film, it makes sense to kick back on a comfy couch and bask in the screen’s glow, but the tiered seating means that there’s more than enough space for the whole family and a few distant relations to boot.

We also love how the clean lighting lines of this space pull the viewer’s attention toward the screen (and, speaking of lights, that projector must be the real deal to get that crisp with that much ambient lighting going on). Theaters like this seem to hover at around the $500,000 mark, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving up early.

Streamlined and uniqueStreamlined and unique
Pinterest

There are whole companies out there dedicated to one purpose… bring the theater-going dreams of their clients to life.

This installation is by Cinematech, one such specialty company, and the work they do is frankly gorgeous. Streamlined and unique to each space’s needs, we spent far too long ogling their impressive display collection. What we love most about this theater is how open the main front seating is. For a casual film, it makes sense to kick back on a comfy couch and bask in the screen’s glow, but the tiered seating means that there’s more than enough space for the whole family and a few distant relations to boot.

We also love how the clean lighting lines of this space pull the viewer’s attention toward the screen (and, speaking of lights, that projector must be the real deal to get that crisp with that much ambient lighting going on). Theaters like this seem to hover at around the $500,000 mark, so it’s probably a good idea to start saving up early.

Streamlined and unique

well-loved and lived-inwell-loved and lived-in

We see this as our chance to curate a selection of the coolest, the craziest, the most elegant, and the most practical home theaters out there. Just like with a good mix-tape (does anyone still do those?), we like to go from the completely out of this world back to the realm that most of us live in.

This gorgeous home theater feels well-loved and lived-in, exactly the sort of place we’d want to visit and watch a film or ten. Care with the painting choice around the walls, the sleek lighting design, and the insanely comfortable-looking couch (which the owner verifies is still comfy even after four years of use) make this impressive space a real winner in our eyes. Notice the careful positioning of the sound system, too. The designer really knows their stuff when it comes to proper surround sound.

well-loved and lived-inwell-loved and lived-in

We see this as our chance to curate a selection of the coolest, the craziest, the most elegant, and the most practical home theaters out there. Just like with a good mix-tape (does anyone still do those?), we like to go from the completely out of this world back to the realm that most of us live in.

This gorgeous home theater feels well-loved and lived-in, exactly the sort of place we’d want to visit and watch a film or ten. Care with the painting choice around the walls, the sleek lighting design, and the insanely comfortable-looking couch (which the owner verifies is still comfy even after four years of use) make this impressive space a real winner in our eyes. Notice the careful positioning of the sound system, too. The designer really knows their stuff when it comes to proper surround sound.

The best home theater is one that’s well-loved and lived-in

Attic home theaterAttic home theater
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Here’s another true home theater, built this time in the attic! Rather than a projector, this designer opted for an impressive 120” television but brought in a darling model of a classic projector to tie in the classic film aesthetic. This space feels like just the right mixture of homey and production. Entering this attic theater is certain to take you out of the world but where comfort is still clearly key. We also love the classic popcorn posters and the dedicated popcorn machine, elements that we strongly believe need to exist in every home theater.

Attic home theaterAttic home theater
Pinterest

Here’s another true home theater, built this time in the attic! Rather than a projector, this designer opted for an impressive 120” television but brought in a darling model of a classic projector to tie in the classic film aesthetic. This space feels like just the right mixture of homey and production. Entering this attic theater is certain to take you out of the world but where comfort is still clearly key. We also love the classic popcorn posters and the dedicated popcorn machine, elements that we strongly believe need to exist in every home theater.

Attic home theater

Home theater by a true aficionadoHome theater by a true aficionado
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You can tell a true home theater aficionado by their sound set-up, and this theater is a perfect example. With a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system, the audio environment in this home theater is sure to be something out of this world. Going deeper, those absorbent sound panels will soften the speakers’ reflections, making every line of dialog seem warm and intimate to the ear. Going beyond the sound design, however, we have to say that we also love the solid wooden frame that the 150” screen is housed within, just the sort of subtle luxury that makes it feel like a special occasion every time you sit down for a film (and, judging by the well-worn leather seating, this room has seen a lot of film-watching love).

Home theater by a true aficionadoHome theater by a true aficionado
Pinterest

You can tell a true home theater aficionado by their sound set-up, and this theater is a perfect example. With a full 7.2.4 Dolby Atmos speaker system, the audio environment in this home theater is sure to be something out of this world. Going deeper, those absorbent sound panels will soften the speakers’ reflections, making every line of dialog seem warm and intimate to the ear. Going beyond the sound design, however, we have to say that we also love the solid wooden frame that the 150” screen is housed within, just the sort of subtle luxury that makes it feel like a special occasion every time you sit down for a film (and, judging by the well-worn leather seating, this room has seen a lot of film-watching love).

Home theater by a true aficionado

We would never leave this home theaterWe would never leave this home theater
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As we’ve said before, we are all about the comfort level when it comes to home theaters. We dig the grand and the outrageous, but what we really love the most at the end of the day is the sort of place that feels intimate and cozy. This wonderful theater design is a mixture of purchased tech and solid DIY construction and is clearly a labor of love. We also spent a long time admiring that impressive DVD collection and the extra comfortable seating arrangement that provides space for intimate family gatherings and larger friend-circle events as well.

We would never leave this home theaterWe would never leave this home theater
Pinterest

As we’ve said before, we are all about the comfort level when it comes to home theaters. We dig the grand and the outrageous, but what we really love the most at the end of the day is the sort of place that feels intimate and cozy. This wonderful theater design is a mixture of purchased tech and solid DIY construction and is clearly a labor of love. We also spent a long time admiring that impressive DVD collection and the extra comfortable seating arrangement that provides space for intimate family gatherings and larger friend-circle events as well.

We, like the dog pictured here, would never leave this home theater

Big screen and lots of bobbleheadsBig screen and lots of bobbleheads

All the little touches are what really make this theater shine. Nifty lighting, solid 7.1 surround sound, carpeted tiered seating, and a great bobble-head collection. Something about this room speaks to us, and it says… “start the film already!” Of course, we generally prefer to go with projectors when it comes to home theaters, for that special flickery effect and the immense screen size they provide, but we have the feeling that once you’re nestled into one of those big chairs, you’ll feel right at home.

Big screen and lots of bobbleheadsBig screen and lots of bobbleheads

All the little touches are what really make this theater shine. Nifty lighting, solid 7.1 surround sound, carpeted tiered seating, and a great bobble-head collection. Something about this room speaks to us, and it says… “start the film already!” Of course, we generally prefer to go with projectors when it comes to home theaters, for that special flickery effect and the immense screen size they provide, but we have the feeling that once you’re nestled into one of those big chairs, you’ll feel right at home.

Big screen and lots of bobbleheads

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theaterSleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater
Pinterest

These folks realized that their extra storage room possessed a far greater destiny. By the end of 2020, they were missing the experience of venturing forth to the theater, so they decided to solve that problem with a bit of DIY… and we think they are our new favorite people. The sleek design, retro-style bulbs, classy framed posters, huge projector screen, and excellent reclining seating all come together to make this one of our absolute top home theaters. This is just the sort of magic that pretty much anyone with a spare room can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theaterSleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater
Pinterest

These folks realized that their extra storage room possessed a far greater destiny. By the end of 2020, they were missing the experience of venturing forth to the theater, so they decided to solve that problem with a bit of DIY… and we think they are our new favorite people. The sleek design, retro-style bulbs, classy framed posters, huge projector screen, and excellent reclining seating all come together to make this one of our absolute top home theaters. This is just the sort of magic that pretty much anyone with a spare room can accomplish if they set their mind to it.

Sleek and and gorgeous DIY home theater

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn fromDual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

Not everybody has a whole room they can dedicate to their home theater, but the good news is that a great home theater doesn’t need one! This clever and compact home theater features all the elements needed for an immersive cinema experience, including the great aesthetic lights and the “cinema” movie ticket poster, all while sharing the space with the kitchen and living room! Clearly, this is the sort of space where long hangout sessions can be had and where both cinema and intensive video game marathons are the order of the day.

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn fromDual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

Not everybody has a whole room they can dedicate to their home theater, but the good news is that a great home theater doesn’t need one! This clever and compact home theater features all the elements needed for an immersive cinema experience, including the great aesthetic lights and the “cinema” movie ticket poster, all while sharing the space with the kitchen and living room! Clearly, this is the sort of space where long hangout sessions can be had and where both cinema and intensive video game marathons are the order of the day.

Dual-purpose DIY home theater anyone can learn from

A DIY basement theaterA DIY basement theater

We love seeing what ordinary folk get up to when they decide to build themselves a home theater because the DIY approach always brings with it the designer’s personality. We think the simplicity of this space is perfect and are honestly hard-pressed to consider any better way to use an empty basement room. With the lights down and the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the air, this little home theater would be the ideal place to marathon all our favorite films.

A DIY basement theaterA DIY basement theater

We love seeing what ordinary folk get up to when they decide to build themselves a home theater because the DIY approach always brings with it the designer’s personality. We think the simplicity of this space is perfect and are honestly hard-pressed to consider any better way to use an empty basement room. With the lights down and the smell of hot buttered popcorn in the air, this little home theater would be the ideal place to marathon all our favorite films.

A DIY basement theater

This Holomax is a labor of loveThis Holomax is a labor of love

Nobody looking at this home theater could see anything but a true labor of love. With just four seats and a DVD collection numbering in the hundreds-of-hundreds, the builder of this “Holomax” theater is a cinephile after our own hearts. The care and attention to detail, the well-placed lighting, the extra-large screen, and the fully carpeted risers give us the impression of being transported into a special theater-pod. Something about that great red leather seating thrills us, too, and makes the whole room look majestic.

This Holomax is a labor of loveThis Holomax is a labor of love

Nobody looking at this home theater could see anything but a true labor of love. With just four seats and a DVD collection numbering in the hundreds-of-hundreds, the builder of this “Holomax” theater is a cinephile after our own hearts. The care and attention to detail, the well-placed lighting, the extra-large screen, and the fully carpeted risers give us the impression of being transported into a special theater-pod. Something about that great red leather seating thrills us, too, and makes the whole room look majestic.

This “Holomax home theater” is a labor of love

Never fight over the covers again when you use two single duvets instead of one.
Nov 19, 2020
10 minutes

When my husband and I spent a night in Iceland a few years ago, we were surprised to find our double bed was made with two side-by-side single duvets instead of one that covered the entire mattress.

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How to use a Scandinavian bedding system
Never fight over the covers again when you use two single duvets instead of one.
Nov 19, 2020
10 minutes
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Joined in 2021 4 guides
Odin Hartshorn Halvorson is a writer, geek, and hopeful futurist. A graduate from Stonecoast MFA, his work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He is the founder of Round Table Writers, an organization dedicated to “writers helping writers.” Odin’s love of Roddenberrian and Straczynskian ideals leads him to contemplate technology’s role in our evolving philosophic landscape, a line of inquiry threaded through both his fiction and non-fiction writing. Learn more at OdinHalvorson.com
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15 DIY Home Theater Hacks & Essentials for the Perfect Setup

An overview of everything you need to think about when creating a home theater!
Odin Odin (4)
Feb 2, 2021
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The very first commercial movie theater was at the 1983 Chicago World’s Fair in a special building designed specifically to showcase Eadweard Muybridge’s Zoopraxiscope. In a series of lectures on animal locomotion, the public was able to view (in Muybridge’s own words) “synthetically demonstrated movements photographed from life.”

We have come a long way from these early public theaters, yet the fascination with theaters remains. There’s something delightfully cozy about snuggling up with a partner over a bag of popcorn or seeing the latest blockbuster with friends. At the same time, the flickering light of a projector flashes movies on a screen.

Thankfully, modern technology has also made it possible to create a home theater—for almost any budget! And, unlike Muybridge, you don’t even need to have a special building constructed. If you’ve been missing the theater experience lately, maybe it’s time to build your own and self-isolate in comfort and style. And be sure to check out some of the sweetest home theater setups in the world for inspiration!

Read on for fifteen of the best home theater hacks for creating the home cinema of your dreams.

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Old ProjectorOld Projector

It’s not enough to have a large smart-TV, not if you want to truly create a theater vibe. The only way to get a proper cinema experience is through the flickering magic of a projector. The downside to this is that there are so many projectors on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one. However, the upside is that because there are so many models, it’s possible to pick just the right projector for your unique situation and budget.

What to consider with projectors

Lux & Lumens

lux versus lumenslux versus lumens

This is super important to understand because so many projector manufacturers toss these words around as if they were interchangeable, but they’re not. Both are Si-based units (“Si” stands for “International System of Units,” which is important because it standardizes things and makes sure that terms used by manufacturers are consistent), but the way that they relate to the light from your projector bulb is not the same. Basically, lumen refers to the amount of light emitted from a light source while lux refers to how bright something appears after it strikes a surface.

We want to know how bright the projector itself actually is, so we need to look at the lumens, not the lux. A projector that claims 10,000 lux might only have around 600 lumens of light output, which is low for a projector.

  • NOTE: if you see “ANSI Lumens,” you know you’re in good hands because “ANSI” refers to American National Standards Institute, and their measurement for “lumen” is even more specific. If your projector is rated in lumens, you’re good, but if it’s ANSI lumens, you’re doing swell.
How many lumens do you need?

We recommend 2000-3000 lumens for any high-quality movie theater. Projectors that can meet this specification usually fall above $500. If you’re hoping to use your projector for video games, this becomes even more important, and we recommend pushing toward the upper end of the spectrum.

Want to learn more about the difference between lux and lumens? Here’s a technical guide that goes in-depth.

Throw Ratio

Throw RatioThrow Ratio

Keystone correction

keystone correctionkeystone correction

Make sure that your projector allows for at least limited keystone correction. This is the projector’s ability to correct an image along its vertical axis to make the result appear flat. This can allow you to place the projector on the ceiling and still end up with an evenly projected image — without the ability to correct, the top or bottom of the image will become distorted.

Contrast

Contrast projectorContrast projector

Manufacturers will try to take advantage of customers whenever they can, and projector manufacturers often boost the contrast claims of their projectors to insane levels. However, contrast has a sweet spot: too little and things will look muddy, but too much, and everything becomes distorted anyway. The best way to get good contrast is to limit all ambient light in your room (since contrast is just a measurement of the difference between the projected image’s light and dark parts). Otherwise, a contrast ratio of around 3000:1 is perfectly sufficient. However, if your projector manufacturer measures contrast by ANSI standards, the numbers will be lower! If they use ANSI, look for anywhere between 300:1 and 700:1 for good to excellent contrast. This is one of the many examples of “bigger is not always better” in the world.

Our Recommendation

For just the right mix of power and affordability, you can’t go wrong with the Optima HD146X. Not only is Optima a trusted brand, but its specifications also speak for themselves. Bright enough and sharp enough for all your basic needs, this projector will handle anything the average family home theater requires.

Projector ScreenProjector Screen

Once you have a projector in hand, you probably need something to project on. The simplest solution (and the best one for those with limited space) is the retractable or “pull-down” projector screen. A bit more expensive than its DIY counterparts, this variety nonetheless affords you a lot of flexibility when it comes to setting up your home theater.

Electric or manual?

There are two types of retractable projector screen, and both have their pros and cons.

Electric projector screens

Electric retractable screens will tend to wear out faster and, of course, require electricity to operate — this means another power outlet is needed for the system.

Manual retractable screens

Manual retractable screens require that you physically pull them into place and then give them another tug to release them back into their sleeve gently, but they’re likely to last longer, and they don’t require a plug. They also cost less than their electrified counterparts.

Hack: Automated projector screen

hidden automated projector screenhidden automated projector screen

That said, one of our favorite hacks for an electric projector screen is making it automated. Some projector screens will come with a volt trigger that you connect to your projector. Then, whenever your projector turns on, the screen will automatically lower itself into place. Most electric projector screens also come with some sort of remote control. You could even put yours in a hidden location like the photo above!

You can consider other elements of the projector screen as well, such as the type of reflective material they use, but don’t get too carried away. It’s generally okay to go for a lower price-point on this unless you’re adamant about getting insanely perfect picture quality (in which case you’ll need to splurge for top-notch projector and media storage as well).

Devices for ProjectorDevices for Projector
Pinterest

Alright, so you’re ready to take the plunge into the world of home cinema… but how do you send your media to the projector in the first place? These days, many projectors boast features like Wi-Fi, and even Bluetooth, on top of classic options like SD card readers and HDMI ports. The truth, though, is that you’re limiting yourself if you lock yourself into using just the projector’s internal hardware (and some of those advanced features are likely to raise the price by a lot.

Ways to stream video directly to your projector

streaming devicesstreaming devices

Purchase a streaming playback device like the Amazon Firestick, Roku Player, Google Chromecast, or NVIDIA Shield. We personally love the power of the NVIDIA Shield (especially if you’re a gamer and want to use your home theater to play Cyberpunk 2077 in style). These devices allow you to cast media content from your phone or computer directly into your projector, eliminating the need for a clunky multi-step effort every time you want to watch a new episode of The Expanse.

DIY option: Kodi Media Center
Kodi Media PlayerKodi Media Player

You can totally have your own DIY viewing experience by building your Kodi Media Center with a Raspberry Pi. Kodi will work with most projectors, and you’ll have something that’s personalized just for you!

Getting one of these devices also allows you to take advantage of our next hack, which is all about expanding your home theater’s usefulness and capabilities. Note that we concentrate on the NVIDIA Shield because it offers a greater range of useful hardware and software hacks than others.

Music in the airMusic in the air

Why have a setup that can only do one thing? Go for a whole entertainment suite by making sure you can play music on your system without having to turn the projector on.

This is where the benefit of having a streaming device (like those we mentioned in the last step) is so vital. You can cast music directly to your home theater from apps on your phone, most of which will then display music backgrounds and information on your projector screen. Of course, you might not always want to use the projector itself and stream directly to your speaker. In that case, a media server like the NVIDIA Shield or Kodi is a great way to go. With the Shield on and running in the background, you can pass audio straight through it without even turning the projector on!

How to set it up

Spotify KodiSpotify Kodi

All you need for this is an external USB sound adapter. Connect this to your Nvidia Shield or media system, and then plug your speaker’s aux cable into it instead of your projector. Now your sound will arrive directly from the Shield! For an even better cordless experience, if you choose to use a Bluetooth-capable soundbar for your audio needs, you can plug a Bluetooth transmitter dongle directly into the sound adapter and have a wireless audio experience!

Sound bar speaker systemSound bar speaker system

Audio quality is one of the most important things for a home theater, but choosing the right speaker can quickly become a daunting task. The best fit for every circumstance costs a ton of money, and even more inexpensive options can quickly become a hassle. If you have a fair amount of space and can dedicate a whole room to your home theater set-up, we recommend buying a wired sound-system, since that allows you to create a full surround sound experience for the lowest price (and we have a great hack for dealing with those messy cables later in this guide).

Small space hack

Bluetooth soundbar setup for small spacesBluetooth soundbar setup for small spaces

If you have a smaller living space, you probably want something that can be multipurpose and unobtrusive while also being easy to move when the need arises. In that case, go for a Bluetooth soundbar. Soundbars are an awesome way to get good audio quality for a minimum of space and only one cord (the power cable). You’ll certainly get a less dynamic and immersive experience. Still, the benefits of a hassle-free installation and mobility might be worth it, especially if you’re renting and don’t want to install a whole mess of cables throughout your home theater room.

Plex Media CenterPlex Media Center
Pinterest

We’ve hinted already at the power of streaming devices hooked up to your projector, but what if we took things a step farther? With your own media server running the right software, you can have all the power of Netflix at your command, but for media you already own!

Plex

We recommend Plex for its features and ease of use, but many great media server platforms are available. The NVIDIA Shield comes pre-installed with the amazing Plex software, however, so the cost of the whole thing can be kept as low as possible while providing the biggest reward.

Kodi

For the true DIYer, we recommend personalizing your setup with a Kodi Media Center that you build yourself with a Raspberry Pi.

Man with trumpetMan with trumpet

Rubber feet

rubber feet to dampen soundrubber feet to dampen sound

This is one of the easiest methods for keeping your sound from spilling over into the rest of your home or apartment. Often used for washing machines (which can get quite loud on hard surfaces) rubber sound isolators help dampen the connection between the thing producing sound and its surroundings. If you’re using a subwoofer, this is a handy hack, but even for an average soundbar, this can help keep the sound isolated to where you want it.

Sound dampening/reduce reflective sounds

sound dampening materialsound dampening material

In a large space, hard and reflective surfaces can be a boon. They bounce sound back, providing a cathedral-like acoustic resonance that charms the ears. In a small space, this same effect creates a dissonant nightmare. This becomes even more important if you live in an apartment where your sound can spill over into a neighbor’s environment. To avoid this, dampen the surfaces in your room. Throw rugs, plush seating, and bookshelves are all a great way to go. For a powerful hack, you could even put thick curtains on runners around the outermost edge of your home theater room. When it’s movie time, pull the curtains into place, and they’ll absorb some of that ambient noise.

Surround Sound placement

surround sound placementsurround sound placement

There’s really no substitute for an immersive sound environment. If you don’t mind the added time needed to install a 5.1 surround sound system (and are willing to do the extra work of figuring out things like cable placement), it’s certain to provide an audio experience so warm that you’re likely never to want to leave. The trick is making sure that all your speakers are angled toward the central spot in the room where you’ll be sitting (don’t just place them all forward). Also, make sure to keep your audio cables isolated and know that the longer your audio cables are, the thicker their protective coating should be to avoid getting unfortunate distortions in your awesome home theater setup. You can get pretty detailed with your home theater audio features, so make sure to do your research if you want to dive into an advanced audio configuration.

CurtainsCurtains

Even if you decide not to put curtains all the way around your home theater room, we cannot stress enough how important blackout curtains are if your home theater has windows. Projectors need low-light conditions to be effective, and the best way to control your light level is to block out any light coming in from outside. Besides, blackout curtains come with a host of other benefits like better sleep and reduced outside noise (especially nice for those who live in a city).

CablesCables

If you’re spending this much time to create the perfect home theater, you want it to look nice! Careful planning for cable placement is vital and cannot be overlooked, but there will undoubtedly be plenty of cables running across your visual space even then. Short of placing your cables behind your walls (an expensive and difficult project), what can be done?

Use cable hiding strips

cable hiding strips on Pinterestcable hiding strips on Pinterest

The easiest way to hide the cables in your home theater is to use cable strips, which contain the cables and hide them from view. If the cable strip matches your paint job, then the work is done — but you can easily paint these the same color as your walls and ceiling for the perfect unobtrusive cable array.

PowerstripPowerstrip

Even a simple home theater set-up will require a fair number of electrical outlets. Finding a place to put all the power plugs can be difficult if you’re relying on wall outlets alone, and, more importantly, some of your delicate equipment can be damaged by power surges.

That’s why we recommend using surge-protecting power strips and proper extension cables for your power needs. This way, you can arrange everything based on what makes the most sense with your available space rather than trying to make your home theater fit the availability of your wall sockets.

Theater SeatsTheater Seats

You’ve no doubt seen those home theaters that go all-out with replica high-tech movie theater seats. While those are undeniably awesome, they’re impractical unless you have a large amount of money and the space to install them. That’s why we recommend going a different route and figuring out the needs of your space first. One of the things you want your home theater furniture to do is keep the space’s sounds from reflecting.

One of the best ways to do this is by installing a couch in the space. Not only does this provide ample seating for your whole family pod, but it also covers the largest amount of space for the smallest amount of money. Add in some plush footrests (which can double as chairs or even low tables), and you’ve got everything you need to kick back and enjoy.

Inexpensive folding couch

folding couchfolding couch

That said, if space is at a minimum, finding a way to transform your normal room arrangement into a special movie time setting is totally possible with the right folding couch (which you can then slip out of the way later and which will always be useful for guests in the future!)

Smart lightSmart light

There’s something magical about the moment in a movie theater when the lighting dims, and the previews start to play. If you want to recreate some of that magic at home, all you need is a little “smart” technology. For the cheapest and easiest method, we recommend getting a set of “smart plugs”. You can then plug in your existing lights and direct the lights to turn on or off from an app on your phone. For a slightly more expensive option, you can buy dimmable smart lights, which you can control from your phone.

Set up Homebridge

For a further step, connect all your smart home devices to a central hub like Homebridge and control all your smart appliances from a single spot!

Movie postersMovie posters

If you’re turning a whole room into a home theater, this step really cannot be overlooked.

Movie posters

Movie posters in frames are the easiest way to go. You can easily purchase movie posters online and frames for them don’t cost much either. Put a couple of these beauties, and you’ll feel like you’re actually at the cinema. Just be aware that you shouldn’t put up too many of these on the walls as they’ll create a more reflective sound environment.

Rolling popcorn maker

rolling popcorn makerrolling popcorn maker

If you’re creating a home theater that needs to share space with a multi-purpose room, you can still find ways to add a special touch for when you want to turn the room into a magical cinema experience. One of the easiest is to purchase a rolling popcorn maker and wheel it out for the most special movie occasions. That way, you can create the ambiance without permanently altering your space.

PopcornPopcorn

Maybe you want a cheaper alternative to the rolling popcorn maker. It’s just not a movie without the concessions. We’ll make the concession that not everyone adores popcorn as much as us, but we think you’ll agree that few things are more a part of the iconic theater experience than the rich aroma of hot buttered popcorn suffusing the air.

Popcorn in BowlPopcorn in Bowl

If you want to create the ultimate home theater popcorn experience, we recommend purchasing a rolling popcorn maker that does everything you’ve come to expect from the movie theater. That said, our favorite way to make popcorn is also the healthiest: an air-popper. Not only do you get the deliciousness of the popcorn, but you also avoid cooking it in fats and thereby save yourself a huge number of calories.

popcorn flavorspopcorn flavors

If you haven’t noticed yet, we’re total foodies here. We love healthy food, but we love flavor, too! By using aerosolized butter spray, we can precisely control how much goes onto our popcorn.

Popcorn butter spray hack

A hack for those who want to count the calories in popcorn spray? Each one-second spray is just under ten calories for the average brand.

Popcorn salt

popcorn saltpopcorn salt

To get the perfect movie theater popcorn, you’ll need to get popcorn salt. This is a fine-ground flavored salt that, when gingerly applied to your popcorn, is certain to make your taste buds perk right up. Of course, you can go the extra mile and have an array of flavorings available! We recommend placing your favorite into various spice shakers and keeping them in a special organizer, which you bring out for movie nights. Our favorites are cheddar cheese and nutritional yeast (no, seriously, it’s amazing).

Try a few of these affordable DIY’s and hobbies to stay connected and productive!
Jan 26, 2021
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Since the onset of the pandemic, many of us have had more free time and a growing need to focus on self-care than we’ve ever experienced in our lifetime.

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