Just a few years ago, home theaters were considered luxuries for Charlotte's rich and famous. Today, however, they are quickly becoming middle-class must-haves. The quality of home theater equipment has been increasing while the prices have been decreasing.
As those prices have fallen and demand has risen, Charlotte custom home builders have been pushed to develop more flexible and affordable home theater options. Bulky, big-screen televisions and movie projectors have been replaced by sleek plasma screen and LCD televisions that can be hidden when not in use. Speakers are no longer eyesores taking up valuable space and, instead, can be seamlessly built into walls and ceilings.
"Today, installing a home theater is more convenient and affordable than ever," says Adam Ferrara of Beck Design Group. "As a result, more and more Charlotte homeowners are enjoying a movie-theater experience from the comfort of their own home."
If you are thinking about adding a home theater to your Charlotte home, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Room Requirements
In the past, homeowners were required to dedicate an entire room for their home theater. Today, however, many Charlotte homeowners are creating multipurpose rooms for their theaters. Regardless of whether the room is dedicated exclusively to a home theater or a multifunction room, the following elements are vital to creating a home theater you can enjoy:- Square or Rectangular Room
- Enclosed
- Standard-Height Ceiling
- Windowless
- Controllable Light
- Home Theater Seating
Selecting Your Video Source
Choosing the type of video source can be an overwhelming decision for many homeowners. With so many choices available, it is important to know your needs. If you need a screen under 42 inches, for example, an LCD is the best choice because they're offered in a wider variety of sizes. If energy conservation is a concern, LCD would be the more energy efficient choice as well.
If you need a screen over 42 inches, a plasma screen is the best choice because they begin at 42 inches. These screens are a more affordable option when you're in the market for a larger screen. Plasma would also be the best choice if your viewing area is wider because they offer larger viewing angles.
On the other hand, if you want a crisp, large image, a projection system is the best option. "If you decide to use a projection system, the quality of the projector and screen are very important," says Ferrara.
Consider Audio Quality
The video and audio are the two most important components of a home theater. The goal of a home theater is to recreate a movie theater experience. The audio quality can have a big impact on whether this is accomplished.
"The audio quality is one of the most important elements of a home theater, yet it's also one of the most overlooked elements," says Ferrara. "When you're picking out the components for a home theater, keep in mind that the audio elements can hugely impact the overall experience. We recommend a high-performance audio surround sound system to recreate the movie theater's 360-degree sound coverage.
Seek Professional Assistance for Best Results
While these are only a few of the elements to consider when designing a home theater, they're enough to overwhelm most Charlotte homeowners. Designing and installing a home theater is an extremely technical process. A professional can recommend the best products and design for your space, while staying within your budget.
Stay tuned! In the next few weeks, we will highlight one of Beck Design Group's recent home theater projects that provides great examples of these elements in practice.
If you would like to learn more about creating a home theater that meets your budget, while still providing high-end performance, call Adam Ferrara with Beck Design Group at 803-746-7908 or email Adam. We look forward to helping you create a welcoming space for you and your family to enjoy a movie theater experience from the comfort of your home!
