A media room presents an opportunity for the whole whānau to come together for bonding time in an easy, entertaining way
With technology becoming more entwined with our daily lives, it’s important to have some segregation between screens in our own homes.
That can mean no phones at the dining table, but dressing gowns on and popcorn ready in the media room for a Friday night blockbuster.
All you need is a spare room to change your life. Maybe you have a home office that isn’t needed as much as it once was. Perhaps you have a guest room gathering dust, with relatives from out of town or overseas preferring to Zoom rather than shell out for flights – we don’t blame them.
Take the opportunity to make the most of your extra square footage and transform your space into a cosy, cool TV room.
Screen out external noise with hush glass and acoustic seals on windows if budget allows.
Why should I have a media room?
More and more houses are open-plan these days, which while wonderful for creating a sense of light and space, is terrible for trying to watch the latest rom-com while your husband is in the kitchen using every noisy appliance he can think of.
Teenagers also don’t love open space – they want privacy for hanging out with their friends in peace, which is where a media room comes into play. Let your living room be for all the lovely things in life, such as drinking bubbles with the girls, and let a media room be the warm and wonderful place where you can wear pyjamas for an entire weekend without judgment. Not to mention, they’re much easier to heat in the thick of winter.
What colour should I paint my media room?
Use rich, dark colours for the walls; smoky greys, warm mustards and cosy browns. These colours should envelop you in one cosy, big hug. If you’re not in a rush to remove your white walls anytime soon, consider floor-to-ceiling curtains around your walls and windows to add that cocooning effect and block out light, without compromising on personal style.
Roman or roller blinds aren’t ideal in a media room. You need to make the space dark with no light gaps with heavy curtains to achieve the best home theatre experience.
How do I make my media room feel cosy?
In our minds, there’s no such thing as too many blankets – the same goes for pillows, the more the merrier. Black-out shades on windows and even doors go a long way to adding that luxe cinema experience.
But really, it’s all about lighting. Children love twinkling fairy lights and, to be fair, so do we. But if you want to take a more grown-up approach, invest in LED strip lighting around your wall skirtings to offer some light relief that still feels cosy and comfortable. If you love the look of lamps, consider a touch lamp to avoid fumbling around in the dark looking for the switch.
I still want to use my media room as a study/guest room. How can I do both?
A good sofa bed or foldaway wall bed is key here; something that can go from cosy to presentable in the blink of an eye (although, if you simply wanted to keep the sofa as a full-time bed for your Harry Potter marathon, rock on).
Modular sofas are rising in popularity: keep them as separate armchairs throughout the day, then come nighttime, arrange the pieces at your leisure to create a sunken lounge, a sectional or even a great fort for the kids.
If a modular couch is out of your budget, check out modular pillow stacks for a budget-friendly yet enviable alternative – Business and Pleasure has a great range.
Lighting can alter the mood of your media room and is key to a great experience. Ensure the light does not reflect off the screen or into anyone’s eyes and make sure that there’s enough ambient illumination so that people can move around safely in the space (and see their drinks and snacks).
Should I opt for a TV or projector?
You can use projectors with or without a screen, depending on your room layout, which is a godsend for those only wanting to spend small. However, cheaper projectors may have louder fans and brighter light intensity, which can interfere with your binge-watching pleasure.
But high-end 4K (UHD) projectors will often give you a far more detailed picture than your average TV, so if you’re a movie connoisseur it might be worth the money and wall space. TVs tend to be better with colour and lighting accuracy, plus their built-in speakers mean that you don’t
have to exert too much time or energy on trying to play something: it’s as easy as pressing an on-switch. For the more casual watcher, this is probably the way to go.
If you’re not in love with the overall look of a flatscreen, consider the Samsung Frame TV or DIY your own TV frame.
Is it worth splashing out on a sound bar?
Much like the TV vs projector debate, it really depends on what kind of movie watcher you are. For a true cinephile, it pays to invest extra in a soundbar rather than just rely on a TV’s normal built-in speakers.
If you feel like all dialogue is weirdly quiet these days (you’re not wrong), then you could even look at surround sound for high-quality audio. However, if you have a small room that you’re kitting out, a sound bar should be just fine.
Text Caroline Moratti Images Are Media Syndication, Supplied
Shop our media room must-haves
1. Smart Ultra Soundbar
$1,649.95 at Bose
Immersive sound for your ultimate movie night? Yes, please.
2. Cocoon Cashmere Blanket
$373.50 at Shop Your Home and Garden
This super soft cashmere blanket will ensure your movie night is as cosy as can be.
3. Original Whirley Pop Popcorn Maker
$373.50 at Amazon
Nothing says movie night like some fresh popcorn, so why not make your own at home with this easy-to-use popcorn maker?
Related Articles:
- Home projectors to turn your house into a personal cinema
- What’s trending in soft furnishings
- The cosiest throw blankets to add to cart this winter
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