Prep the Basement
Before you decide on the design that works best for you and your family, you might want to think about perfect spot for your entertainment space. This has to be at the center of a finished basement.
Be sure to give importance to sound and lighting since these two are the most crucial features of your basement home theatre. If you are having trouble letting in natural light into this part of your home, that is understandable since such rooms are commonly found beneath the ground. Use the correct types of lighting fixtures for your home theatre - find the ones that are not glaring (as they can affect viewing quality) and are capable of illuminating the things that you want to see (such as where the DVDs are going to be located).
Dimmers are quite functional inside the basement home theatre. In fact, they can form a part of the whole design. If your basement originally had multiple windows, then see if you can close off some of them. Light affects your perception of video quality so consider limiting the number of windows in your basement.
If the basement comes with a furnace, then this is a great light source. Just make sure that you are able to control the amount of illumination where necessary.
Find out also how you can have a vent installed.
Next, install dark shades of curtains for any windows. Be sure to soundproof your walls with in-wall materials, soundproofing carpets, custom drywall or soundproofing curtains. Put your acoustics well in place. Keep in mind that bad sound quality can result to your non-enjoyment. Surround sound your basement home theatre as much as possible.
You also need to consider the audio-visual and technical aspects of your would-be basement home theatre. It is a must for home theatres to have custom wiring. Have an electrician help you with your video, lighting, Internet and audio access. These are important for video streaming and online gaming.
Though wires are important, you also wouldn't want to expose a bundle of them on the carpet. Messy wiring can easily become an eyesore as well as a safety hazard. Hide the wiring by having them placed inside the basement's drywall. Remember that the more complex your wiring system is, the more intricate it is to hide the whole bunch.
Now the Interiors...
When the electronic stuff is in place, you can then proceed to plan the interior design. Once again, the layout and the scope of your basement home theatre are dependent on the furniture and accessories that you would want to buy.
Bigger home theatres can have the freedom of emulating real movie theatres complete with stadium seating.
After placing the screen at the best possible angle, then it's time to consider the seating arrangement. You can opt for couches or individual chairs. Designer sofas can enhance the theatre feel in a room. Placing them against the wall is a great way to save space. Chairs - especially the reclined ones - are the most comfortable that you can place in the newest addition to your home.
