Revised Room 

SKY MOVIES BUILDS THE PERFECT HOME CINEMA

They say staying in is the new going out, and in a recent survey*, it was found that nearly half of the British public (47%) are opting more often to stay at home for a night of entertainment – and watching movies came top!   As a result, Sky Movies together with help of interiors expert Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision Ultimate Guide’s editor Andy Kerr have put their heads together to create the perfect living room for enjoying movies.

Below is a list of helpful hints for creating the perfect home cinema within your existing living room.  Our experts have thought of everything from the best distance to have between the TV and your couch, how to light your room and even how to decorate.

For those who are looking to improve and not move, Sky Movies offers the complete resource to help transform your living room and create an inviting and indulgent focal point in the home that the whole family can come together and enjoy. 

HELPFUL HINTS

ROOM DIMENSIONS

  • In the world of home cinema, experts refer to the Golden Ratio for home theater room acoustics.  It is an ancient Greek ratio called "Phi" or "The Golden Section". According to the rule, the perfect room dimensions are:  Width that is 1.6 times the height and length that is 2.6 times the room height.   But obviously rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and home cinema can be designed for any space.
     

FLOORING

  • Carpet is better for acoustics and your heating bill, and in order to lay wiring all you have to do is pull it up briefly.  It’s also warmer and more inviting as a focal point for people to get together and relax.
     

1-TV

  • A viewer’s eyes should be in line with the top third of the TV 
  • The TV should not be placed above the mantelpiece
  • TV size - A good indication that you're sitting too close to a screen is if you find yourself distracted by the screen's "structure" — those rows and columns of pixels that look like tiny dots.  However, you can sit closer with HD because the pixel structure of the picture is less visible (because there are more pixels on the screen). In fact, some argue that if don’t sit close enough (or, conversely, buy a big enough TV for your room) then the image you’re seeing isn’t actually high definition at all.
     
  • Click here for a full list of minimum and maximum viewing distances for each screen size

  • The wall opposite the TV should be dark coloured or matte.  It should not be a window wall.
  • Today’s TV’s are fixed so make sure the position is correct before mounting.
  • You can hide the TV behind a picture and slide it back in order to reveal.  Or sink it and the rest of the equipment into bookshelf/similar storage unit, that allows you to conceal wiring, speakers and boxes among attractive books, collectables and ornaments.
     

2 - AUDIO/SPEAKERS

Sound is the simplest measure to improve the viewing experience

  • A 5.1 system is advised for speakers - the centre speaker should be directly below the TV, and the two main speakers mounted close together either side of the screen. 
  • The rear speakers would be best positioned high up on the wall, towards the back of the room, then angled downwards so that they ‘fire’ towards the sofa.
  • Ideally the subwoofer (a bass box) should be placed at the front of the room on either side
  • If you want to conceal ugly audio equipment, wallpaper or fabric over speakers is always an option - although this does not form part of a mainstream speaker kit 
  • If you really don’t want the speakers to be seen use a 2.1 system or a Sound-bar.  Sound-bars can be hidden under the TV and starts at £250 – a simple purchase that is also easy to integrate
  • Always use wires, as wireless can never be as reliable.  Re-plastering and pulling up carpet will cost as much as setting up a wireless system


3 - LIGHTING 

  • The best arrangement should include light from around the TV screen.  The optimum setting while viewing is to have this set 10% lighter than the TV itself
  • Lighting should illuminate ¾ of the room. Light three corners of the room and if there is any lighting behind the viewer it should be at ground level
  • Lighting should be ambient if possible.  Thick and metal (gold, silver, bronze) reflective lampshades create ambient upward facing light.  They also help rebalance energy saving bulbs.
  • Up lighting is better than using ceiling lights
  • Lights should have dimmers for additional control
  • All lights can be connected using a 3 amp circuit in order to have one central control that lifts/lowers the lights together.  Very cinematic!
     

4 - SEATING

  • Traditionally soft sofas minimize enjoyment of TV and produce backache.  More upright seating is better.  Slouchy sloppy beanbags are out!
  • The seat back should not be above shoulder height as it can interfere with the acoustics
  • Seating should placed towards the middle of the room to give the impression of a bigger space and the surround sound also works better


5 - FITTED FURNISHINGS

  • Use curtains instead of blinds.  Lined curtains help to keep the light out and enable you to control the light within the room.  This is also better for acoustics, and more environmentally conscious as it keeps the heat in
  • Replace TV cabinet with a book case/shelf, it is more attractive, practical and allows you to display more of your own possessions rather than simply staring at the TV and other devices

6 - COLOURS

  • Dark, fall, tobacco colours, patterned wall paper are better from a lighting aspect and are also very popular at the moment
  • Black lacquer, black velvet and reds are also back in fashion
  • These colour schemes all reflect the traditional Hollywood glam look - which appeals to both sexes
          

OTHER IDEAS

  • “Macro” remote control that can control lights, TV, sound in order to create a very cinematic feel.
  • “Remote repeater” in order to hide any nasty wires or bulky equipment from view
  • Scented candles are a great way to help invigorate the senses when putting on a film


 FOODS

  • What to eat… 
  • The Classic – Microwave popcorn, ice creams, chocolate and soft drinks
  • The Healthy Option – Edamame beans, wasabe peas, vegetable chips, crudités and bottles or water or smoothies
  • Going All Out – hotdog maker, popcorn machine, candy floss maker
  • Theme up your movie-watching occasion…
  • Family Feast - Pull up a blanket in front of the TV with all your favourite picnic dishes
  • Romantic Dinner – Create your favourite candle-lit 3 course dinner for two and a good bottle of wine
  • Having your mates over – Pizza and beer.  Use Sky Anytime so that you don’t have to miss the start of your favourite flick due to late arrivals or the pizza delivery guy getting lost!  Or have a movie marathon and watch an entire franchise for the first time in HD
  • Girl’s Night In – Take away sushi, mix your favourite cocktails, or bake your favourite sweets


ANYTHING ELSE?

  • Movie Quiz – Use your Sky+, Anytime or Sky Player to manipulate your favourite films, stopping and starting to ask questions and create your own movie quiz.
     

ADVANCED OPTIONS

  • For the serious viewer, a projector and screen can cost £1500 including installation and can be hidden in trap doors in the ceiling for big occasions.  The build can sit over the top of the existing viewing space.


* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2140 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st - 5th May 2009.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).