Ever since the pandemic started, we can count the number of times we’ve been to the movies on one hand. We cannot enjoy this pleasure as often as we want anymore, and if you are like most, you miss it so much.
Did you know that you don’t have to go mingle with hundreds of others to be able to feel like you are in a cinema? If you want to recreate the movie theater experience at home, you’ve come to the right place! Keep on reading to find out some of the ways how to do it.
1. Find a suitable space
If you want to recreate a cinema experience, or if you want to create a movie theater in your home, the first thing you need to start with is finding a good space for this. In some cases, you can use your main living room, but the issue with this is that you will have to move furniture around for the purpose.
So, the best thing you can do is have a designated area and completely equip it based on your needs and the way you want your personal theater to look. It does not have to be too big of a space, so consider how many people are going to be with you during the “screenings”.
2. Look for a big-screen TV or a projector
Next, you will need a good screen and a place where you can play your favorite shows or films, without having to stare at a small screen. You can do this in two ways – purchase a big-screen TV or just go with a projector and a canvas.
The first option is great if you have the means for it, because an HD TV that comes in big size is going to cost you at least several hundred dollars, and the ones that are made by great brands may cost in the thousands. If you don’t want to spend that much, you can choose a projector, and even use a sheet for the canvas.
3. Consider printing out tickets
A fun way to approach this is to print out tickets for your screenings. You don’t have to charge anything but it is going to be a nice touch when you get together with your friends or your family and you give them tickets with your cinema’s name and the movie featuring before the film starts. You can also include seat numbers or any other fun things that will make the experience even better.
4. Think about the lighting
Proper lighting is a must, as well as having the right type of shades in case you are watching a film during the day. So, when you are planning the space, you need to think about getting the right type of blinders or curtains that will prevent any type of light from entering the room.
On the opposite note, you also need to provide the proper fixtures for when you are using the space for other purposes, or when you are hanging out with your friends after the film ends. You can also go with dimmers so that you can have full control.
5. Create a unique sound experience
When we think about audio, we tend to think about surround systems, and huge speakers, and even though this is a great idea, you can go even further than this, and you can give everyone a unique experience.
One of the most popular items nowadays is the vests that come with built-in speakers so that everyone who is wearing them can enjoy the sound separately. This way you can control the volume, and you also don’t have to worry about the film being too loud, or too quiet.
You can check out the review for the Woojer Vest below:
6. Plan the furniture setting
The next part of the preparations is the furniture. You have two main options here – to install separate armchairs for everyone who is going to be there, or use sofas so that you can entertain more people. The first option is great if you want to really nail the movie theater experience, and you can place them in a way that everyone can see the screen.
The issue with this is that five or six amazing and comfortable armchairs are going to cost far more than two large sofas. If you want to create a more cohesive space and keep that home feeling, then you should definitely go with the sofas. You can put them together, and everyone will feel closer and the whole experience is going to be more intimate.
7. Make sure it’s comfortable
When planning for all things, make sure that the whole space is comfortable. If you plan on adding extra furniture, like a table for the snacks, or even coffee tables that are going to be placed in front of the couches, you should plan for everyone to be able to sit properly and have enough legroom.
We all hate theaters that don’t let you stretch your legs, so don’t make that mistake in your home. Create a space that can accommodate a certain number of people, and stick to that number. Don’t try to fit too many of your friends and make everyone sit in awkward positions, without having any personal space.
8. Don’t forget about the snacks
Finally, don’t forget about the snacks! They are a huge part of every movie theater, so they should be a part of yours. Opt for bottles instead of glasses, and make sure you have a small cooler in the room so that every drink can be chilled before the film starts.
You can play around with additional gadgets like the popcorn makers, or you can just put all the snacks in a bowl and let everyone eat what they want. You can also make bite-size sandwiches, or choose anything else that you think your company would like.
As you can see, recreating the movie theater experience at home is not as hard as it seems, and you can do it with a relatively small investment, as long as you are ready to reuse some of the items you have at home. Implement the newest gadgets and technology if you want your personal cinema to have a special touch, and don’t forget to sit back and enjoy every single screening.