A finished basement adds value to one’s home. It can also lend hours of enjoyment as a den, family room or home theater. Making a home theater out of one’s basement is easier than it sounds. With minimal wiring and a lot of creativity, one can turn a cold basement into an inviting home theater. The basic set up of a home theater is quite easy. One needs seating, carpeting, drapery, and a projection system. Begin this project by selecting a color theme. Most home theaters have a two to three color palette. Reflective of commercial theaters, many homeowners choose rich colors. Rich colors include purples, deep blue, magenta, black and gold. Your palette will be reflected in the carpeting, drapery and upholstery.
The first thing to install is the carpeting. One may choose to self-install, or contract professionals for assistance. Either way, select a carpet with stain resistance, as visitors will consume snacks during movies. Reject rugs that are heavily textured. In the dark, people can easily trip on the carpet pile.
After the carpet is secure, arrange the seating. For a quick and budget conscious solution, buy eight to eighteen folding chairs. These chairs can be bought from hardware and home ware stores for approximately ten dollars per piece. One can substitute with straight back kitchen chairs. Always buy an even number, so as to arrange them in two columns symmetrically in the theater. Don’t place more than three seats in a row. Cover the seats with damask seat covers. The damask will provide a sheen and regal texture to the theater. The seat covers should be a contrasting color to the carpet. Position a contrasting (may match to seat covers) carpet runner down the floor between the two columns of seats. This gives visual appeal, as well as lending a red carpet effect.
Don’t forget the walls. They need attention also. The easiest way to do this is with drapery. If you do not know the measurements, you must measure the walls. Buy velvet curtains the length of the wall plus six inches. The extra length is to flow unto the floor. This creates a rich and plush look. If finding the curtains proves difficult or expensive, one can visit the craft store for material on the bolt. Choose material that is either velvet or heavy satin that is wall length plus nine inches. The three extra inches (compared to buying curtain length) will allow for hemming on both ends. The curtains may either match the carpet or the seat covers.
Hang curtains or material by securing hardware for “spring rod” curtain rods along the top perimeter of the ceiling. Make sure that the ceiling that the screen will inhabit has symmetrical curtain rod placements. This is important because the movie screen will be placed in the center of the wall. If the curtains are drawn to reveal the screen, they should be evenly distributed. Only a symmetrical rod placement can assure that effect.
For additional drama, install an extra row of curtain rods, and add valances to them. If using material, draping the loose material over the rod easily creates valances.
When choosing a wall to hang a projection screen, avoid one directly across from a window. The outside light will interfere with the viewing if the screen. If using a projection screen, one may opt to have it placed in front of or behind the curtains on the wall. If using a large screen, flat panel television, the same options are available. Some people may have a television embedded into the wall. In that instance, it can only be located behind the curtains.
With regard to sound, surround sound is as easy as a nail in a wall. Wall and stand speakers can be purchased at entertainment stores or via the Internet. You can discreetly hang wall speakers behind the wall curtains. For surround sound, place a stand speaker in each of the four corners of the room. This will give the same sound effects as a professional theater. With a little creativity and less than a thousand dollars (minus the projection system), one can upgrade their basement to a home theater. Friends and family can spend weekends and holidays in a genuine theater. It’s like having a night out on the town, without leaving home.
