Custom home cinema design
Since the pandemic, homeowners have become used to spending more time in their domestic spaces. A YouGov survey in September 2023 found that half of all workers were working from home at least some of the time – and this change has led to people seeking improvements to their living environment. While investment in home offices increased at the beginning of the decade, a growing trend is now emerging: home cinemas.
Homeowners are beginning to look at luxury home cinema solutions as a way to get more from their day to day entertainment. These personalised spaces offer an immersive experience that mimics that of commercial cinemas, delivering high-quality audio and visual, a comfortable, cosy environment and privacy. If you’re thinking about adding a home cinema to your property, you may be wondering what the creative process looks like. Here, we talk you through how our experts approach home cinema design and installation.
Initial consultation and conceptualisation
Every client is different: some walk in knowing exactly what they want, while others need to view examples of previous projects for inspiration. The main job of your design team at this stage is to determine your preferences and budget, and assist with establishing your vision. Your consultation will involve a full demonstration at one of our custom showrooms, where you can interact with the media and technology available to get a feel for what’s possible.
When your ideas have been discussed and your preferences and budget confirmed, a site assessment is the next necessary step. Our professional team will assess the suitability of your chosen space – be it a garage, cellar or other room – and identify any potential challenges that need to be overcome. This ensures that, right from the outset, the design is right for the space and that any necessary adjustments can be accommodated.
Custom home cinema design and planning
In the custom home theatre design phase, our team will create some concepts based on your stated needs and preferred style. You can then view these before choosing your favourite and discussing any modifications you would like. Considerations during the design and planning phase include:
- Acoustic treatments
The acoustics of your room will play a huge part in the quality of your experience. Our team will determine the best combination of acoustic treatments, soundproofing and/or insulation to ensure sound is reproduced with optimum clarity.
- Lighting design
Lighting is also key to an immersive atmosphere. Your lighting design will include shading to block out natural light from windows or doors, as well as ambient light that enhances your experience. From dimmable spotlights and LED strips to starscape ceilings, there are numerous possibilities to suit the theme and style of your space. You may want to invest in automated lighting from a brand such as Lutron, adding convenience to your setup.
- Seating and layout
Well-positioned, ergonomic seating is crucial for your comfort. Bespoke cinema room planning should consider the optimal distance that viewers should be seated from the screen, as well as their viewing angle. It’s important to ensure everyone has clear sightlines, which is why many clients opt for tiered flooring.
If you are adding other furniture, such as tables, a mini-fridge or a drinks bar, careful planning will ensure viewers can move around the room with ease and that walkways and access points are not blocked.
- Aesthetics
Finally, the general aesthetic of the space will need to be determined. The final concept we provide will demonstrate every detail of your home cinema, right down to the colour on the walls and any thematic decor you choose. This will include the materials and textures, the placement of seating, furniture and smart interfaces, and the integration of lighting.
Your aesthetic preferences might include some technologies that can be hidden when not in use. With the help of lift and drop mechanisms, moving panels and more from brands such as Future Automation, your home cinema design can be tailored to your exact requirements.
Technology integration
It goes without saying that technology is a fundamental part of your home cinema design. With a growing array of products and services on the market, choosing the right equipment for your needs and budget can be a little overwhelming. However, our experts are here to assist, making recommendations that will suit your space. Here are some of the elements you’ll want to consider.
- Projector and screen
While some clients opt for a television in their space, a projector and screen will deliver a high-quality visual experience. Brands such as Sony combine cutting-edge picture technologies with flexible installation, ensuring you benefit from a pin-sharp image and ease of use.
- Sound system
Your audio setup will depend on the size of your room and your needs. Our team will discuss the placement of your speakers as well as different brands. A popular high-quality yet discreet option is
Artcoustic. These speakers can be colour-matched to your decor or printed with your chosen artwork, ensuring they blend in while continuing to provide state-of-the-art audio.
Choosing a sound system that supports Dolby Atmos will ensure you enjoy the ultimate immersive experience. This technology delivers audio that is more accurately positioned in space and can move from speaker to speaker, reflecting the location and movement of sound that we experience in real life. With Dolby Atmos it will feel like a helicopter really is flying overhead or a door really is slamming shut behind you.
- Smart automation
Whether you have an existing smart automation system in your home or would like to add it during the home cinema installation process, your products can be integrated for a more convenient experience. Smart systems such as Control4 enable you to adjust multiple settings – from the lighting and the climate control to the window shading and media equipment – with the touch of a single button. Adding this to your space enhances comfort and functionality, creating an even more luxurious experience.
- Content services
When choosing technology, it’s worth considering how your content will be delivered. Streaming services require various levels of compression, which often detract from the quality of the picture and sound. However, a media library such as Kaleidescape will present movies, TV shows and other content in 4K uncompressed format, and with an audio bitrate that’s ten times higher than streaming services. Everything you watch therefore retains its original audio-visual quality.
Future-proofing your technology
Choosing your technology is about more than simply meeting your current needs. Think about how your setup can be scaled if necessary. Might you want to add smart automation in future or integrate new technologies? Will your Wi-Fi need to be upgraded to support content delivery? Speak to our experts about creating a flexible design that includes conduits for future wiring or space for additional speakers or equipment.
Installation and calibration
Once you have approved your home cinema design, selected your technology, and settled on an aesthetic, our technicians will begin installation. During this phase, attention to detail is crucial in order to deliver optimal performance. Once the necessary wiring and any structural work is complete, you will begin to see your vision come to life as our experts place each element with precision, calibrate the speakers and integrate home automation. We’ll install acoustic panels to maximise the sound quality and ensure your seating is at the optimum distance from the screen.
Once installation is complete you’ll be able to walk into your home cinema and feel immediately ready to enjoy an immersive experience.
Final walkthrough and client training
The final reveal is a big moment for both our specialists and our clients. We’ll walk you through your newly completed home cinema and demonstrate each feature. Our team will spend as much time as you need showing you the various controls and ensuring you understand how to use the equipment. If you’ve opted for smart integration, we’ll help you programme the settings so you can create a tailored environment with the touch of a button.
Of course, if you have any questions during the walkthrough or afterwards, we’ll be happy to answer them. Beyond installation, our team is always available to support you and provide maintenance services to ensure your home cinema continues to function optimally. We offer everything from periodic speaker calibration to software updates, keeping your cinematic experience exceptional.
Your dream custom cinema in the comfort of your home
Creating your perfect home cinema is a journey, and our experts are here to support you every step of the way. From initial ideas and inspiration to the finished space, our design process is tailored to ensure every need is met and every preference is accommodated. At New Wave AV, we have over 15 years’ experience delivering state-of-the-art home cinemas that offer an unparalleled viewing experience. Our expertise will ensure that each product is meticulously chosen and each aesthetic element is finished to perfection, creating a space you’ll enjoy for years to come. If you’re ready to elevate your home entertainment, contact us today to discuss our luxury home cinema solutions and arrange a demonstration at our Kent or Surrey showroom.
