Over the past few years, custom home theatres have become a popular trend amongst homeowners in Toronto – and for good reason. A dedicated entertainment space is a great way to tailor your home to your unique interests while serving as a gathering place for family and friends.

Even if you are not an active film or television enthusiast, a well-built home theatre can also be a strong asset in increasing your home’s value. That being said, building a modern entertainment space is no small process and there are a few things to consider before diving in. 

Here is our brief overview of what you should know before building a home theatre. 

DIY Limitations

Creating a great home theatre involves careful planning, consideration, and expert support. While it may seem like a fairly straightforward process, there is a lot more that goes into constructing an entertainment space than you may think. For most homeowners, this will not be a do-it-yourself project. From lighting installation to soundproofing and visual optimization, working with top-tier local contractors is typically the best path for a project of this caliber. 

If you are unsure where to start with sourcing professionals for your home theatre, ask your real estate agent. They will be well connected with local contractors and can ensure the project meets your needs and budget. 

Create a Dedicated Space

Not only will having a dedicated room for your home theatre improve the quality of the experience, but it can also be a strong differentiator when placing your home on the market in the future. Ideally, you will choose a space that’s comfortable, quiet and separated from other rooms in your house.

Like professional theatres, reducing external light in your at-home media space is a must. Not only can ambient light hurt your on-screen picture quality, but it can also be outright distracting. An easy way to avoid these pitfalls is by choosing to build in a window-free area of your property such as a basement. 

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Minimize Distractions 

From a decor perspective, aim to keep your home theatre as simple as possible. By reducing flashy extras in your theatre room you can reduce distractions and create the best possible entertainment experience. An easy way to accomplish this is simply bypassing any art or decorations that aren’t well-suited for the space. While some extras will be great for your home theatre such as a popcorn machine or vintage movie posters, it’s important to be mindful of decor that will inevitably be distracting. 

Visuals 

While a large television can offer an enjoyable viewing experience, the strongest option for most home theatres will be a projector and screen. Screens are advantageous as they can be hidden away and are easier to upgrade as technology evolves.

It is also important to note that most projectors will require 14 feet of distance in order to create a 150-inch image. Keep this in mind when selecting your home theatre space. 

Want to know more about the current luxury market? Visit our 2022 luxury real estate outlook here. 

Lighting

While most film fanatics are accustomed to watching movies with the lights completely off or well-dimmed, including a strategic ambient lighting system as part of your home theatre can be a great way to improve its overall atmosphere. Common specialty lighting types in modern home theatres include rope lights, soffits, dimmers and recessed lights. 

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Sound 

One of the most essential elements of your home theatre will be its sound system. In order to feel truly immersed in the cinema experience, you will require high-quality audio. As this process will require unique electrical work, it is best to begin with professional support. An A/V specialist can analyze your space and determine the right sound system for you. 

In addition to optimizing the sound experience within your home theatre, you should also consider how it will impact the rest of your home. Great cinematic audio makes for an enjoyable viewing experience, however, you’ll want to prevent it from leaking out into the rest of your home.

A modern home theatre should be soundproofed. This will help prevent movie audio from impacting others in your home and also stop outside sounds from entering the theatre and taking away from the viewing experience. 

Seating

Lastly, your home theatre will need great seats. There are plenty of options when it comes to seating, however, this is an area where quality is of particular importance. Investing in top-tier seating for your theatre will keep you comfortable and encourage you to enjoy the space as much as possible. Plus, from a return on investment perspective, selecting high-quality furniture for the theatre is also the best way to ensure it builds and retains value down the line. 

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