media room storage

No longer just a den or TV room, today’s media rooms are home theaters and gaming spaces, as well as gathering areas for the family. The fancier name also usually means a more elevated aesthetic (ditch the beanbag chairs and old sofa), themed decor and maybe even a snack bar.

Layout

Before you agree on a movie and start popping the popcorn, ask yourself the following questions:

How will we use the media room? Will we only watch movies there or will it have multiple uses? Your answers will help determine your answer to the next question.

Where will the media room be in the house? Popular choices include the basement, the den or family room and a bonus room. If you’re building or adding onto your home, you could consider creating a purpose-built space.

Once you’ve made those decisions, you can begin planning the type of furniture you’ll purchase and the room’s layout, along with other details.

Create a simple media room by positioning a sectional sofa toward a large-screen TV. Featured: Impressions

If possible, place the screen, whether it’s a television or a projection screen, where it will get the least glare. You can also put up blackout curtains to block sunlight from any windows.

For your seating, you could choose individual chairs or a sectional to allow for snuggling or lying down. Recliners with built-in cupholders mimic theater seating and are perfect for a tiered layout. In a multipurpose room, you might want some moveable pieces so that people can face each other to talk or play games. Everyone should have clear lines of vision for the screen. Also, avoid furniture touching the walls to improve the acoustics. Carpet or other soft flooring will have a positive effect on sound quality, too.

On the topic of sound, will your media room adjoin another area in the house that needs quiet or do you live in a townhome or condo? Think about soundproofing the walls to lessen the volume for the neighbors, whether they’re your family members or the people next door.

Storage

Every room requires some storage – yes, even your media room. How much depends on how you will use the space.

If you mostly stream movies and video games, your remote controls should still have a designated home so they’re less likely to go missing – and movie night can start on time. You might also have favorite snacks you keep stocked or blankets for those chilly winter nights in front of the screen. Cube organizers and fabric drawers are an easy and affordable solution to corral your incidentals.

An attractive, multicomponent system like this can hold your room’s essentials. Modular Closet in Sand

For multipurpose media rooms, more storage might be necessary. Take inventory of everything you’ll want close at hand such as board games, Blu-Ray discs, game consoles, extra pillows and throws, albums, toys, etc., so you can get an idea of what kind of system you might need. You could build out an entire wall with drawers, doors and shelves. Or maybe you only need a couple of units with shelving.

A wood storage system will give an elegant look to your space while also offering a variety of configurations to fit your space and your needs.

Decor

When you’ve settled on the practicalities of layout and storage, it’s time for the fun stuff – decorating!

You could take inspiration from a modern-day movie theater, hanging posters that promote your favorite films and installing a snack bar. Are you more of a classic film aficionado? Mimic a vintage movie house with Art Deco-style wallpaper and sconces.

For either era, dimmable lighting and uplighting will add to the theater-like ambience. You could even put in LED string lights along the floor boards and risers.

With a popcorn maker and tiered individual seating, this media room looks and feels like an actual movie theater.

Sports fans may prefer to support their teams with players’ jerseys and the teams’ logos and colors. Families with young children could go with a cartoon motif.

Is your media room multifunctional? Try an arcade/video games theme or perhaps an English pub. Whatever you choose, be creative and let loose!

When you create a media room that suits you and your family, you can also create lifelong memories.