Tips and tricks to get started
Setting up a home theatre can turn your living room into an immersive movie-watching haven. With some thoughtful planning and setup, you can enjoy your favourite films and shows in comfort and style.
This guide offers simple tips for creating a home theatre, perfect for beginners who want to start without getting too technical in the details.
Choosing the right room
Ideal room characteristics
Picking the right room is key to a successful home theatre setup. Ideally, you want a space that can be completely darkened, with minimal windows or natural light. A rectangular room is often the best choice for achieving optimal sound distribution. It's also way easier to find a good wall for your TV if the room is a regular shape.
Considerations for space and layout
Make sure the room is big enough to fit your desired screen size and seating arrangement. Think about how many seats you want and the space needed for comfortable viewing and easy movement.
Think about how many people will use the space at any one time. Also consider where those people will place their snacks and drinks and allow space for coffee tables and end tables, too. Make sure you remember to put a bin in the room.
Planning the layout
Seating arrangement
Arrange your seating so every viewer has a clear line of sight to the screen. If you have multiple rows, consider elevated seating to enhance visibility for everyone. You can achieve this with layers of furniture - a sofa at the back and bean bags at the front.
Screen placement
Position your screen at eye level from your primary seating spot. We always recommend wall mounting your TV to make it super easy to find a good placement.
Think about where the light will come into the room at the time of day when you're using your media room, will it cast glare onto the TV?
Think about where the power points in the room are, and where the door is (annoying when light comes in under the door).
Distance and viewing angles
Maintain a comfortable distance between the seats and the screen. We recommend taking the screen size in inches and multiplying it by 1.2 to find the best viewing distance. Maths doesn't know your life, so this will also come down to personal preference.
Wall mount your TV
Mounting your TV to the wall is the safest option for those with small children or pets. It also looks the best, and makes it easier to find a good screen placement.
Are TV wall mounts universal?
Mostly yes. If you're looking for a universal TV wall mount, we usually recommend Sanus. Mounts come in sizes to fit a range of TV sizes, so make sure the mount is big enough to fit your TV panel.
Decide if you want the TV fixed in one position on the wall, or if you need a swivel TV mount. It's a moderately easy DIY, just stay calm when you see the instruction manual.
Actual screenshot of a Sanus TV mount installation guide
Selecting the right screen
Types of screens: TV vs projector
Decide between a big screen TV or a projector based on your room size, wall size, ambient lighting conditions and personal preference.
Also consider your content, if you're using your media room exclusively for gaming then we'd recommend an OLED TV every day of the week.
TVs offer bright, vivid pictures and are easier to install, while projectors can provide a larger image for a more immersive experience. A projector will give a more cinematic feel, a departure from the everyday viewing of a TV.
Optimal screen size for your room
Choose a screen size that matches your room size and seating distance. We always recommend going as big as your budget will allow for the technology you want. This is called Big TV Energy.
Again, consider where the TV will go and how big the wall is. A 100 inch TV is amazing until you realise it's 2m wide along the bottom and you need to find a wall big enough to mount it on.
If the room is big, however, of course get that 100 inch monster. Can you imagine? If you can dream it you can do it.
Audio setup essentials
Basics of soundbars
If you're looking to upgrade the sound of your home theatre, a soundbar is a fantastic starting point. For those unfamiliar, a soundbar is essentially a speaker, or a box containing multiple speakers, designed to sit just below your TV screen, with additional speakers placed around the room for a more immersive experience.
Typically, soundbars are crafted to pair seamlessly with TVs from the same brand, enhancing the multi-dimensional sound experience. Major TV manufacturers ensure their soundbars and TVs work together harmoniously.
Speaker placement tips
To get the best sound, position your left and right speakers equidistant from the screen and angle them towards your seating area. The main soundbar should sit directly beneath the TV, while surround speakers should be placed behind or beside the seating area. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for specific placement tips tailored to your soundbar.
Importance of acoustics
Acoustics are the difference between a media room and a room with a TV in it. You might not be able to do anything about the shape of the room, but you can make small changes to improve the acoustics. Small things like rugs or heavy curtains will absorb sound and prevent reverberation or echo.
Lighting considerations
Control natural light
Install blackout curtains or blinds (or both) to prevent light leaking in and ruining the home theatre experience. Not only does light coming in cause screen glare, it's also distracting and annoying.
Best lighting options for home theatres
Dimmable lights might not be in everyone's budget, but they are a good option for home theatre lighting. Use lamps to improve the ambience and to avoid turning on The Big Light at all costs.
LED strips can also be a relatively inexpensive way to light up the room without ruining the mood.
Furniture and seating
Choosing comfortable seating
There's no point in a home theatre with uncomfortable seats. Get a nice, plush sofa in a fabric that won't leave lines on you if you fall asleep on it.
Make sure everyone in the room has somewhere to put their feet. Think about the times when you're most comfortable: are your feet flat on the floor? No.
Make sure there's enough space for more people than your immediate family for easy entertaining. Get as many recliners as there are dads in your family.
Arranging seats for best viewing experience
Arrange your seating so everyone can see the screen, and make sure everyone has somewhere sturdy to put their drink.
Cable management
Tips for hiding wires
There's nothing worse than seeing a TV with cables dangling down underneath. Loose cables are also a safety hazard, particularly if you have small children.
Use cable management solutions like cable raceways or conduits. There's plenty of inexpensive options available, with a great many options to suit your specific setup.
Wireless options
Many soundbars have wireless options to minimise the need for wires and cables - ask about wireless options when buying yours.
Setting the mood
Decorate like you mean It
This is a space in your home just like any other, decorate it to your personal taste. This room is ripe for dramatic paint and décor! Have fun with it, theme it like your favourite movie. Mine's themed like the greatest movie of all time, the 1986 classic Highlander.
Temperature
Install a split system air conditioner for the most efficient heating or cooling year round. Many split system aircons come with air purification built in now to keep the air fresh and clean when there's heavy curtains over the windows.
Keep blankets on hand for both physical and emotional comfort of guests.
Smart home integration
Benefits of smart home devices
Smart home devices will give your home theatre setup wow factor. Controlling the lighting, temperature, TV and audio with your mobile device or with your voice will elevate the experience into true luxury.
Many TVs now come compatible with Google Voice Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home voice assistants, ready to integrate into your smart home ecosystem.
Budget-friendly tips
Wait for a sale
Setting up a home theatre doesn’t have to be expensive. Wait for key sales like EOFYS in June or Black Friday in November of each year and take advantage of the discounts.
Buy essentials first
The most important parts are your television, soundbar and furniture. Focus on getting those first and add the extras over time as your budget allows.
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when setting up your home theatre.
Buying the wrong TV
Don't just buy the biggest panel you can afford without considering picture quality you need for the content you enjoy the most. The right TV might be more expensive than the wrong TV, but it's cheaper than buying two TVs.
Ignoring acoustics
You might think the acoustics doesn't matter and the soundbar will do all the work. Nope! If the acoustics are wrong, your viewing experience won't be as enjoyable as it could be.
Huge couch/small space
Measure the couch before you buy it, please. Your joy when the couch is delivered will quickly turn to devastation when it's too large for the room.
TV on a cabinet
Wall mount your TV. It looks better, it's safer, it's easier to find a good viewing angle.
Conclusion
Setting up a home theatre can be a rewarding project that enhances your entertainment experience. By following these tips and tricks, you can create a comfortable and immersive environment for enjoying your favourite movies, games, and shows.
Start planning your home theatre today and transform your living room into a personal movie theatre.
