Are you a cinephile who wants to enjoy the latest and greatest the film industry has to offer from the comfort of your own home? While your local cinema does have an impressive screening programme, nothing beats being able to immerse yourself in the breathtaking cinematography, enthralling soundscape, and emotional performances without the chatter and smartphone sounds of people around you.
A dedicated home theatre room sounds like the perfect solution, but unfortunately, not everyone has a basement or a room to spare. If that’s the case, don’t despair. It’s easy to turn any living room into your private cinema with the right tweaks. The following tips will help you curate the ideal cinematic escape, with a particular focus on picking the suitable TV to match your ambitions.
Pick a Cinema-Worthy Television for Your Living Room
In a living room, there is typically too much ambient light, so using a projector isn’t recommended. Plus, most families don’t want a ceiling-hung projector and 100-inch fixed-wall screen in their main gathering area.
That said, large television sets, like, for instance, a 75 inches QLED TV from a reputable brand, are the best option for a living room theatre. Compared to a projector and screen combination, a QLED television display will be brighter, allowing you to watch even with the lights on.
Plus, it’s also better for the overall aesthetics of the room. When not in use, a television set won’t resemble a large, empty billboard on the wall, and there is no need to add a new ceiling outlet to plug it in.
For the best cinema-like experience, you’d want something top-notch, like a 4K OLED model with a bigger screen size of 75 inches. This screen size is ideal for most living rooms, as it’s not as overwhelming as the models of 85 inches and above. Plus, the 4K resolution allows you to have a lifelike viewing experience, and the OLED display offers the most accurate reproduction of colours and vibrant contrast.
In that regard, the Hisense U7KAU is an affordable choice that delivers impressive image quality. The U7KAU is the best value out there, and it’s a gorgeous 75 inches QLED TV with 4K resolution. It has every feature a modern television set should have, including a full-array local-dimming backlight and a 120 Hz refresh rate that produces superior motion quality than many rival models.
This 75-inch QLED TV displays high dynamic range content admirably and is compatible with both HDR10 and the more sophisticated Dolby Vision IQ HDR standard. Hisense has also included the HDMI 2.1 port required for gamers to fully utilise the most recent gaming consoles.
Think About TV Placement
In the pursuit of crafting an exquisite living room tailored for entertainment, the placement of your television takes centre stage. Whether opting for a stylish and functional TV unit or a sleek wall-mount solution, the key lies in achieving a harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality.
A well-designed TV unit can anchor the room, providing ample storage while seamlessly integrating the television into the overall decor. On the other hand, a wall-mount solution offers a modern and space-saving approach, creating the illusion of larger room dimensions.
For immersive escapism, a general rule of thumb is to place the seating area at a distance of approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size. This ensures that the visual experience remains comfortable and engrossing, allowing you to lose yourself in the captivating worlds that unfold on screen.
Get the Best Sound with a Soundbar or Subwoofer
It’s time to consider a soundbar or subwoofer if you want to raise your sound to theatre-quality levels. Between these two choices, there is a difference:
- A soundbar has many audio channels and can play high and mid-range frequencies.
- A subwoofer only produces low-frequency audio impulses (bass tones).
You can choose to use both a soundbar and a subwoofer for the best of both worlds. The option you go with will mostly depend on the type of audio setup you currently have at home and whether or not you want anything greater than just an upgrade over that (if, for example, you don’t have any speakers).
Plan an Optimal Lighting Scheme
It’s just horrible to miss out on small nuances like hand gestures and subtle facial expressions if you can’t see what’s happening. That said, making sure the space is well-lit is among the most crucial aspects of producing a fantastic cinematic experience. Here, adding ambient light—rather than overhead solid lighting—is the goal.
Use lamps and overhead lights to create ambient light if your room has enough space. If there are instances where it’s crucial for viewers’ eyesight to not be distracted by strong light, use dimmers for overhead lighting so you may control the lights as needed.
If there are no lamps or other soft lighting options available, experiment with simple lighting techniques like candles and lanterns. Just don’t place them near anything flammable. This isn’t a movie set, so we don’t want any fires to start here!
Use a Theatre-Like Colour Scheme
A room’s tone is established by its hue. While neutral colours are fantastic in any living room, your home entertainment area probably needs a warmer colour scheme. Colours that are deeper and richer create a cosier atmosphere and make the screen pop out better.
A great way to intensify your colour scheme without repainting the entire space is to paint a black accent wall behind your TV or simply install black wallpaper. It adds drama to a big area and depth to a tiny one. You can create even more depth by installing a shiplap or using textured finishes.
And That’s a Wrap!
In a world where cinematic experiences are no longer confined to the local theatre, your living room has the potential to become a haven of quality entertainment. By embracing thoughtful interior design, investing in cutting-edge TV technology, and curating an atmosphere of comfort, your living room can effortlessly transform into a cinematic escape.
Whether it’s film nights with your family or gaming sessions that unleash your imagination, the power to craft a space where entertainment knows no bounds lies within your grasp. So, go ahead and embark on this creative journey that will turn your living room into a space you’ll love to spend time in.
