Home Theaters
Home theaters sure have come a long way since I was growing up! Here are inspirational ideas to start your look-book with the essential elements for a first-class theater experience in your home.
![A tiered home theater room showing a bottom row of grey couches with turquoise pillows and side tables, and a higher row of turquoise couches with grey pillows. 3 sconces light up the back and side walls, white a coffered ceiling conceals white uplights. The projection screen shows on the left, facing the sofas, with sound baffling applied to the walls in geometric shapes.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Home-Theaters-Leather-Sofas-via-Essential-Home-580x259.jpeg)
Layered lighting and comfortable seating are key elements to a home theater design.
![A contemporary living room with rust-colored sofas, tan and maroon patterned recliners, and a projection screen with lit shelving either side and recessed downlighting, with uplighting hidden in a raised ceiling above. A lamp sits upon a side table between the recliners, and comfy patterned pillows rest on the sofa below a pair of framed artworks on the side wall. The walls are finished in a greenish-tan color, with the flooring being tan carpet.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Home-Theaters-Surround-Sound-via-AV-Enthusiast-580x387.jpeg)
Surround sound speakers should be hidden from view, or fit in with the space if you choose floor-standing or wall-mounted speakers.
![Tan microsuede sofa with chaise and a small table facing a projection screen with 2 floor-standing speakers either side, in the foreground.
In the background to the left, you see a lit counter with a candy machine, popcorn machine, and mini fridge, with a counter seat stool.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Home-Theaters-Snack-Bar-via-EssentialHome.eu_-580x239.jpeg)
Having a snack counter or storage nearby means you won’t miss any of the action while topping up.
![A greyish-tan traditional-style living room with textured corner sofa in tan and white colors plus multiple patterned throw pillows in gold, black, and white. A round dark wood coffee table sits in front of the sofa, with a dark brown leather recliner opposite. Near the leather recliner is a large projection screen with built-in speakers either side, and a low wall of cabinetry in the front, forming a black counter surface on top. A sconce downlight is visible on one wall, with recessed lighting coming from the ceiling. To the right, a set of stairs going up is partially in view, with metal railings. The tables and counter surfaces are dressed with white candles on tall tan candleholders, and plants in white Grecian vases.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Home_Theaters-Traditional-LR-via-Food-Farm-Family-580x387.jpeg)
A media wall with storage cabinetry conceals entertainment media, Blu-ray players, and video game consoles to keep your home theater neat and tidy.
![A large living room with a triple wide window view onto a river with small waterfall and lots of greenery. We're looking at the point of a grey velvet corner sofa from the back, with a square leather footstool in the center corner. A tray with a pitcher and glass sits upon the leather footstool. Comfortable throw pillows are dotted along the sofa. A grey striped rug anchors the sofa in the room. Modern light bars throw light onto the walls either side of the oversize TV screen, below a ceiling of exposed wooden crossed beams and downlights.](https://kimballstarr.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Kimball-Starr-Interior-Design_Blog-Home-Theaters-Basement-Theater-via-Food-Farm-Family-580x387.jpeg)
Space is essential.
Home theaters don’t have to be a separate, closed-off dark room by using technology and good design to achieve your dream space. I can help!
Kimball Starr designs for home theaters throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe. Contact her today for a remote or socially-distant in-person consultation.