35 Amazing Home Theater Designs

San Francisco interior designer Heather Hilliard has recommendations for creating the perfect home theater or media room. "First we ask the client if they would like the true theater experience with special motorized reclining seats or if they prefer the room to look more like a family room with a combination of sofas and chairs with pillows, ottomans, side tables and floor lamps," says Heather. Some things are critical to a successful home theater, she says. "A tiered, stepped floor is key to allow viewers to see over each other when there is seating in three rows. It is important to pay attention to dimensions of the chairs fully reclined with footrests up, to allow clearance space for someone to pass by during screenings."

Materials are also an important consideration when designing a media room. "We use acoustical fabric for wall and ceiling upholstery and carpet to absorb as much sound as possible. I recommend thick plush mohair as it is both durable and luxurious and soft to the touch. Or, if clients are concerned about kids and stains, we use performance leathers and outdoor solution- dyed acrylic fabrics for durability." If homeowners want to go the extra mile, "a well appointed media room will have a bar area at the back equipped with a popcorn maker, built-in microwave, beverage refrigerator, storage for candy jars, snacks, plates and glassware. If there are windows in the room, we include motorized blackout shades to darken the room as much as possible," says Heather.

Charlotte, North Carolina-based designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt created a showstopper of a home theater for Atlanta's Southeastern Designer Showhouse. The Farrow & Ball Brinjal eggplant-colored walls lend a high-end look and the curved ceiling and molding give a sense of art deco luxury. Marie had speakers built into the walls for an immersive acoustic effect. Lighting in the space is dimmable, so viewers can ease into the evening's entertainment, and includes brass sconces and under-stair strips to help with way-finding in the dark, a very thoughtful home theater detail. Marie also created design flourishes so this home theater could do double duty as a sophisticated living room/lounge by including a plush, comfy couch, mohair rugs and the black recliners at the rear of the room, which were intentionally designed to be comfortable for Marie's women friends, a nice, bespoke touch for the space.

Atlanta interior designer Michael Habachy makes the mood as central as the media in this home theater. The dark walls and neutral color scheme create a space conducive to the viewing experience.

Though comfort and entertainment are generally the main attractions in a home theater, many designers choose to make a statement with the ceiling, which harkens back to the grand movie palaces of the past where night skies, clouds and twinkling stars or design grounded in ornate Moroccan, Spanish Gothic and Egyptian styles often gave the filmgoing experience more impact and grandeur. In this home theater, a subtle lighting effect within the wagon wheel ceiling design is also a way to keep the lights low and moody while still allowing guests to navigate the room.