Stand-out features of indoor home theatre systems you should know about

For generations, going to the cinema has been considered the best way to watch a movie. From the big screen to the comfortable chairs, it’s more than a show – it’s an experience. The great news is that nowadays, you don’t have to leave your home to have this wonderful cinema experience. Thanks to technology and great home design, you can enjoy the latest blockbusters and contemporary classics within the comfort of your home.

The major components of any home theatre system include a projector and projector screen, as well as an AV receiver to bring whatever you’re watching to life and create the same experience that you’d enjoy in a cinema. The last thing you’ll need is a surround sound system, which usually includes a channel speaker, left and right speakers, rear speakers and a subwoofer.

Your property inspiration

Entertainment features in a home are a great drawcard for South African buyers. As Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty property practitioner Charlene Leibman reminds us, South Africans are natural-born entertainers. “As South Africans, we are always looking for comfortable and relaxed environments to entertain family and friends. We look for types of home entertainment that can be used all year round.”

The home theatre room in this head-turning Senderwood home was architect-designed and built from scratch, designed from the drawing board to meet the family’s specific needs. From all the required tech to black-out curtains and comfortable seating, it has everything needed to rival a trip to the cinema.

Make your indoor home theatre system cinema-standard

If you’re in the process of adding a home theatre to your home, you’ll soon find that the options can be overwhelming. From equipment and lighting to décor and seating arrangements, there are many decisions to be made. You can simplify the process by focusing on the factors that matter most to your cinematic experience.

Illuminate the room smartly: A great lighting setup is imperative to making your indoor home theatre system an entertainment hub of your home. The placement of lights needs to complement the furniture arrangement and, most importantly of all, the lights must not reflect on the screen. Wall and foot-level lighting are great ways to add ambience and mood. Remote sensors that provide light only when movement is detected are another possibility for enhancing your movie-watching experience.

Place your speakers correctly: The best practice is typically to place your speakers on either side of the screen, angled towards the seating area. This may vary depending on the size and type of your home theatre system, so talk to the experts who install your system and experiment with what works best. The best sound systems for a house will always include a subwoofer, but it doesn’t have to be the biggest one you can find. Things to look for when buying a sound system include range, wattage and total harmonic distortion (THD).

There are many brands of speakers on the market, and brands like Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and Bang & Olufsen have built a reputation for providing great quality sound at reasonable prices. Those wishing to create a more immersive home theatre experience have the option of having bespoke sound systems crafted to meet their needs.

Choice and positioning of seats: First things first: everyone in the room needs a good view of the screen, and this means careful placement of chairs. Depending on your space and how many seats you want, it can even mean including steps and risers in your home cinema. If your home cinema is intended for small groups, a single line of recliner chairs placed a reasonable distance from the screen is often the way to go.

Have fun with your cinema décor: If you’re a fan of a franchise, be it Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, you can complement your indoor home theatre system with posters and memorabilia.

Setting up a home theatre in your living room: If dedicating an entire room to being a cinema doesn’t sound right for your family, you can always bring elements of the theatre experience into your living room to create movie nights to remember. With a large TV screen, a good set of speakers and black-out curtains, your lounge can be transformed into a cinema faster than a director can say “lights, camera, action”.

Your home should inspire you

Your indoor home theatre system creates more than a home cinema: it creates an opportunity for date nights and family nights spent in the comfort of your home. Many memories will be made here as you escape to the distant, magical worlds created in cinematic masterpieces. To create the perfect home theatre system, you first need to find the ideal home. That’s where Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty comes into the story. Contact us today and let’s find the home that’s perfect for your family.