Spending an evening at the movies is as simple as heading to your home theatre. We decided to ask the experts: What are some of the top trends for home theatres?
The great room is no longer the typical movie area, says Giles Landry, of Mountain View Custom Homes.
"People are moving away from using the great room or the bonus area to watch TV. Instead, more and more people are transforming rooms in the basement into a home theatre area," says Landry.
With more room to spare and a reduction in noise, the entertainment equipment is getting much larger and more high tech.
"By designing the home theatre in the basement, you are seeing much larger rooms dedicated entirely to the theatre. You have a lot more room to play around with and the sound reduction is incredible."
Details which mirror the feeling of a large-scale movie theatre are also becoming more common, says Fancy Shacks' Dave Hepburn.
"Not only are people spending more money on the equipment, but they are also spending more attention on the details of the room," says Hepburn.
"People are taking the time to hide the equipment by painting the walls, adding interesting details with carved woods and plush carpets. That way the equipment blends in seamlessly instead of standing out and distracting from the room itself."
"It's less about the equipment and more about the feeling of being in your very own private theatre."
Spending the time and money on excellent lighting in the theatre room is a definite must for the optimal room, adds Landry.
"Fibre-optic lighting throughout the room, including the ceiling, adds a unique touch that really makes you feel like you are at the movies or even outside at the drive-in."
Plush, tiered seating is another feature which adds to the reality of the experience.
"You are seeing a lot of really incredible, beautiful wing-backed recliners. Tiered seating is a great touch that ensures every person has a perfect view of the movie. That way if you have a room full of people watching the flick, it doesn't matter where you sit -- you can watch the movie comfortably."
So just what do you have to spend?
" You can basically design a gorgeous room for $15,000 or go up to $200,000. It's an extension of the home and if you love the movies, it's a great addition," says Hepburn.
