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What are the Best Tips for Creating a Basement Home Theater?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

A basement home theater will require a significant amount of planning and possibly even some construction in order to be built in such a way that the best performance of the equipment is possible. Concrete walls and floors will need to be covered with a subfloor and framed walls to ensure proper sound quality; lighting will need to be planned properly to ensure the best television viewing; and even furniture will need to be chosen carefully to enhance acoustics. Before purchasing any equipment for a basement home theater, one should first consider the size of the room, how many people will routinely use the room, and for what purposes the room will be used.

Concrete walls and floors can have the single biggest negative impact on a basement home theater. Sound will bounce harshly off the concrete, creating unpleasant echos and other noises. Concrete floors will require a wooden subfloor that will buffer sound and eliminate or at least reduce echos from the sound system. Framed walls with drywall mounted on them will do the same for the walls of the basement home theater. Once the walls and floor are built, one might consider soundproofing the ceiling to prevent stray noise from reaching the upper levels of the house, potentially disturbing other family members or even neighbors. The homeowner should carefully research the different soundproofing methods available and choose the one that fits his or her budget and needs best.

Acoustic foam can be used for soundproofing.
Acoustic foam can be used for soundproofing.

Purchasing equipment for a basement home theater should only be done after the room has been laid out for optimal sound and viewing. The design of the room will have an impact on how well the equipment performs in the space, so consider furniture and layout first. Painting of the walls and creating the aesthetic the homeowner is after can occur before the equipment purchase as well. Research layouts carefully; different equipment systems will require different types of set ups and placements. Avoid mounting speakers on the ceiling or concealing them in drawers or other enclosures to ensure the best quality sound.

Sounds quality is one concern when planning a basement home theater.
Sounds quality is one concern when planning a basement home theater.

Choose a television that fits the size of the room. A television that is too large may be difficult to view at close distances, and a television that is too small can make viewing difficult from far away. Speakers and sound components will probably take up most of the basement home theater budget, as most surround-sound systems include several speakers, cables, and other components. Read any included information about set-up and make sure to place speakers strategically to offer the best sound to the seating area.

Discussion Comments

Fa5t3r

@Mor - That might be the difference between someone who is just putting in home theater decor to impress people and someone who genuinely loves films and wants to see them in a dedicated room, though.

Mor

@Ana1234 - I would suggest that you look up homemade home theater design before you put in a theater and make sure you plan ahead with things like sound proofing and installing enough outlets for the room.

My uncle decided to put a home theater in his basement, which was really just a tiny room and he ended up running into problems because he didn't plan it out properly. On the one hand, he had a very impressive, vibrating couch for watching war movies. On the other, only about six movies had the vibrations programmed in, so it was pretty limited (I think it was meant more for video games than movies).

It was the kind of thing that everyone was excited to see once, but didn't actually get used all that often.

Ana1234

I am so looking forward to having a custom home theater one day. I'd try to make it as much like an old fashioned cinema as possible, with a popcorn machine and velvet seating and a curtain over the screen.

Which is all just cheesy, but it would add to the effect. The real investment would go into the sound and the video effects. If possible I would also try for 3D and vibration technology. I just love movies and I'd love to basically have the best of the best way to watch them in my own home.

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    • Acoustic foam can be used for soundproofing.
      Acoustic foam can be used for soundproofing.
    • Sounds quality is one concern when planning a basement home theater.
      By: Pavlo Vakhrushev
      Sounds quality is one concern when planning a basement home theater.
    • Thick speaker cables may help ensure a good, clean sound.
      By: Jacques
      Thick speaker cables may help ensure a good, clean sound.
    • Some home theaters include an electric projection screen.
      By: Alessandro Capuzzo
      Some home theaters include an electric projection screen.
    • Some people prefer a digital projector for their home theater instead of a standard television.
      By: eillen1981
      Some people prefer a digital projector for their home theater instead of a standard television.
    • A television that can be mounted to the wall can save space in a basement home theater.
      By: Peter Högström
      A television that can be mounted to the wall can save space in a basement home theater.