Whether you are a movie lover or just want to carve the perfect space to unwind and relax, a media room is a great idea to turn your home into the ultimate oasis of entertainment.
And as "entertainment" acquires new meanings in a quickly evolving world of media – TV, films, video games, music, virtual reality (VR) and more – designing a special room that can accommodate all possibilities will be a game-changer.
All you need is a few simple steps to transform a spare room into a fun and welcoming space for yourself, your friends and the whole family.
The appeal of media rooms
But first, let's demystify a couple of common misconceptions.
When talking about media rooms, we all get the general idea: a dedicated space where different kinds of media are consumed. However, that definition is a little too broad to be useful.
It's not just a simple sofa with a big TV, or an opulent home cinema room (what in the USA is also known as a "home theatre room" – a beautiful but expensive area exclusively dedicated to movies.)
A media room is more versatile; it's designed to be enjoyed even when the projector is off and the popcorn is all gone. Think about ping-pong, a bar to offer fresh drinks to your friends or – why not – even a pool table!
The comfortable seating arrangement and easy access to refreshments also make this welcoming area ideal to be your family room: the perfect place to gather together and play games.
How to create a dedicated home media room
Now that we have identified the essential features of a media room, how do you create this special place in just the way you envision it?
For a start, it's important to select the right room in your home – size, location and light exposure are critical – then design it to elevate your experience, and make the most of the available space.
Similarly to a dedicated home cinema room, a media room can be located in the basement of your house or in an area that doesn't get too much natural light, which can dull colours and interfere with your screen time.
As the whole room will be dedicated to your home entertainment, you'll also need enough space to place the furniture, tools and comforts you'll need to have a good time – for instance, a large projector screen, ergonomic seats, a small bar and more.
Here are some design and media room ideas you should consider.
Design tips for your home media room
Make sound a priority
A media room should offer an immersive experience, so investing in a top-end sound system will be crucial to enjoy unforgettable gaming or movie nights.
A surround sound solution can help you get there, ensuring the highest quality of audio no matter where you sit. And as you place multiple units around the room to achieve that 360° reach, don't forget that you can use invisible speakers for a seamless integration with the room's design and furniture.
The materials you choose for this space will also have a key effect on the overall sound quality. Hard elements like a giant TV screen or wooden panels, for instance, can exacerbate the bouncing of sound waves in the area, poorly affecting the clarity of sound. Soft elements like wall-to-wall carpeting, drapes or cushioned seating instead can have a positive effect on your audio.
Master the use of light
While excessive light exposure can alter the colours and definition of projected images, there are many precautions you can take to mitigate this issue.
An easy first step is to paint the walls of your media room with a dark hue and a flat or matt sheen to avoid reflections.
If you don't have a basement or a windowless room, blackout blinds can also offer excellent results to block sunlight during the day. In this instance, having efficient artificial lighting will be paramount to enjoy your media room during recreation activities that are not screen-related.
Think about remote controls to turn on or dim lights to perfection for a soft atmosphere when enjoying a drink with friends, or place extra LEDs in strategic places – ceiling or walls – to recreate that special cinema vibe.
Optimise the seating arrangement
Even though media rooms accommodate a wide range of activities, comfort should always be the priority.
So make sure there are enough seats for everyone. Invest in quality, ergonomic seating. And arrange everything to be functional both for a movie night – tiered seats here are ideal to ensure a clear screen view – and other social activities, for instance additional seating for board games around a table.
Think about refreshments
For a truly immersive experience, design your media room to maximise the time spent in it.
To avoid repetitive trips to the kitchen, try adding a mini fridge for snacks, some storage space for your favourite popcorn brand and a dedicated bar for the preparation of irresistible drinks. And if you need inspiration for a tasteful result, here are five home bar ideas we collected for you.
Choose the perfect screen
Needless to say, the screen size you choose should match the dimensions of your media room. But what are the right proportions?
As a rule of thumb, the optimal viewing distance should be 1.5 to 2 times the diagonal length of the screen – so if you know where your seating area and screen will be, you can easily calculate the recommended dimensions for your screen.
Other considerations might include the choice between a large TV, which can be hidden inside a fabric wall, or a soft projection screen that can be rolled up when not in use.
Elevate your room design with collectibles
Media nowadays has become an abstract pleasure: everything is digitally available on the cloud.
So, when you switch your device of choice off, the room can feel a little empty. There's no lingering trace of your passion for cinema, no sleek DVD collection or nostalgic towers of VHS cassettes.
If you like to collect iconic movies, video games, LPs or comic books, however, you have a unique opportunity. Try to display them in built-in cabinets or shelves to turn the room into your personal, miniature temple of entertainment.
But don't get carried away. Try using original posters of your favourite movies instead of frescoes. They are a great idea to create a playful atmosphere and, most importantly, they are very easy to display.
Create a versatile space
Media rooms aren't just about video entertainment, they also need to be functional and reflect your personal style in your own home.
This involves creating a comfortable space that welcomes your guests and family. Consider side tables to enjoy refreshments during a movie or place your drink while sitting on a sofa conversing with friends.
A big round table by the mini fridge and bar can also be perfect for hosting a board game night with your family or sitting around to plan your next trip to Madagascar. The key is creating a versatile space that you'll want to use over and over again.
Don't forget about hydration
Regardless of how you'll personalise your media room, it's fair to say that you'll be spending a sizable amount of time here.
So hydration can't be an afterthought. Why walk to the kitchen to refill your glass, when you can elevate your media room with a filtered water tap delivering pure-tasting water, helps you stay hydrated, and can remove harmful particles like microplastics and lead?
Whether you're looking to brew the perfect cup of tea or add fresh sparkling water to your Aperol Spritz, Zip Water's innovative HydroTap delivers delicious water – boiling or chilled – through bold and beautiful tap designs.
Discover the unrivalled functionality and technology of our HydroTap range today.