How to Create an Inviting and Functional Media Space

A media room is your home's technology haven. It's a place to enjoy movies, television, video games, and whatever other type of electronic entertainment your family enjoys. When considering design for the space, you should think about how you'd like to use the space, even when you aren’t watching TV. Will it also serve as your family's main gathering area, or will you use the space to entertain guests, too? Plan your media room design around your specific needs to get the most from the space.

Continue reading for five things to consider when planning the media room design for your home in the Southampton, NY, area.

SEE ALSO: Why You Should Work With A Home Theater Designer

Location

Choosing the perfect location for your media room is the first big item on the to-do list. Where you put your media room will impact everyone in your home because entertainment can be considerably loud. Another consideration for location is space - will you have enough room for ample seating? If your space also serves as a gathering area when guests visit, then you can choose to install hidden electronics as well.

Sound Absorption

As mentioned above, media room sound can become a nuisance in the home if it’s not managed. We recommend installing carpeting or laying rugs in your media room to help with sound absorption. If you have a hardwood floor, you will notice the sound echoes as it bounces around the room – this is not ideal. Other ideas for sound absorption include curtains or cloth window treatments, sound-absorbing panels on walls or ceilings, canvas artwork, and plush pillows and blankets on the couch.

Light Management

If you're a movie buff like us, you probably want your room to be dimly lit when enjoying a flick. If your media room has windows, consider how you will manage the ambient light in the room. Motorized window treatments are one excellent option that you can control with the ease of a remote or on-wall keypad button. Also, consider adding automated lighting controls into the space, so dimming the lights or only one area of the room is as simple as pressing a button.

Screen Placement

The next consideration you should make in your media room planning is where you will put your viewing screen. Will you have a TV or a short-throw projector? Measure your space to ensure you have enough distance between the seating area and the screen so everyone can comfortably view what’s on the screen. These measurements can also help you consider the size of the screen you would like to have. 

Audio

Finally, you'll need to plan for audio in your media room design. Choose a surround sound system or a soundbar that will create an immersive sound experience for the viewer. What you choose will depend on the size of the room and the layout. Our technicians will calibrate the audio, so every seat has even sound coverage without being overly loud or too quiet.

Our team is here to help as you embark on your media room design journey. Be sure to reach out to us to get started on designing and installing a media space in your home!