Transform A Family Room Into A Media Room
Todays media room is just a step away from yesterdays family room
. Both spaces are intended for family time, watching movies and playing games. The old TV is now called a home theater system and virtual games have replaced the traditional Monopoly board, but the two concepts are really not that far apart and it is rather easy to update your old family room to a modern media room.
Step One. Define Your Media.
Do you already have media elements, such as a flat screen TV, that will be part of the newly designed media room or are you starting from scratch? Do you want virtual gaming, such as Wii Sports? Are you planning on managing your entire theater and entertainment system with a computer based controller? How will various remote controls be accessed and grouped?
Defining these elements will get you well on your way to successfully designing a media room. For instance, your old entertainment armoire may not have enough room or the proper layout for the new equipment and your old videos will not be compatible with a DVD player. Space planning is important for proper placement of a large screen and adequate space must be allotted for Wii or other games. If you will be using a computer, allow for sufficient air flow around it.
Before you purchase that flat screen, ask a lot of questions and so some online research to be sure that you get the best resolution and quality and so that the screen is the proper size for your room. Some stores offer set up and hook up for a nominal price and this can be well worth this extra expenditure if you get frustrated easily over technical issues.
Step Two. Plan a Layout Focus on Activities.
Seating needs to be set at a comfortable distance from the screen and be physically relaxing as well. Figure out where you will mount speakers for optimum sound and keep in mind that low-end woofers need to be set on the floor where they won't be blocked by furniture.
Details matter too. Side tables or snack tables make the experience pleasant for everyone and everyone needs a good view of the screen. Accommodate the extra space needed for Wii sports or workouts by adding wheels under furniture so it can be easily moved aside.
Step Three. Consider Lighting and Glare
Glare can seriously degrade picture quality. Track lighting allows you to direct overhead lights away from the screen, as do recessed lights with directional eyeballs. Dimmer switches allow you to view in low light conditions which are easier on the eyes than watching a movie in total darkness.
Passive lighting that comes from windows can also reflect light and create viewing problems. Windows alongside the screen can make viewing difficult during daylight hours so black-out shades can be used to cut this glare. Black-out shades can be rolled up under valances when you do not want to block out the sun.
Step Four. Noise Control
Unwanted noise can interfere with your media experience and family harmony. Mats and runners on top of tables will help soften hard surfaces, and therefore reduce bouncing noise inside the media room that can make activities uncomfortable. Adding carpeting to hardwood or concrete floors will help as well. More drastic measures such as adding insulating tiles on the ceiling, roof insulation, and padding and carpet on the walls are other options to keep the noise from the media room from spilling into the rest of the house. If noise from the street is a problem, triple pane windows on the street side of the room will reduce interference.
by: Jasmine Albriton
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