Home Cinema Room on a Budget

Home cinema rooms do not have to be extravagant for them to be effective and enjoyable in a home for long periods. There are many ways to design and implement a good home cinema room that does not break the bank.

You can save some costs by doing part of the installation yourself, and by opting for lower-tier equipment and furniture that is still tasteful and comfortable.

Screening devices

If you already have a second TV set in your home, you can move it into your home cinema room to serve as the viewing device. This will have minimal cost implications as you will not have to buy a new device.

On the other hand, you can opt for a projector, many of which are much cheaper than new TVs. Budget projectors are 

• Easily available, 
• Allow you to set them up in an ideal resolution, 
• Have an ideal throw distance, 
• And have built-in speakers

The Anker Nebula Mars II is an ideal example of a budget projector. Even though it offers a 720p resolution, it has its sound system built into the unit and it can project on a screen size of up to 150 inches. The unit has an included battery that offers up to four hours of runtime before being plugged in.

All of this means that you can move the unit around as necessary, allowing you to have a portable home cinema set up that can be used in multiple rooms and spaces at different times.

Many other projectors on the market offer similar specifications, and it is worth taking the time to do some online research before settling on a budget projector that has all your desired features.

Some of the factors you have to consider in your screening device, apart from being budget-friendly, include;

• Screen size
• Resolution
• Additional costs granted that a projector requires you to acquire an accompanying screen.
• Smart functionality such as internet connectivity and wireless connections allow you to source viewing content remotely without an additional device.
• Streaming devices such as Google Chromecast and an Amazon Fire TV Stick for viewing devices that natively lack smart functionality.
•  Blu-ray player, in case you mainly use DVDs to source viewing content.

Sound

Given the quality of sound in modern movies and TV shows, it is feasible that you would want a dedicated sound system that rivals the quality of the visuals.

Many home video experts recommend a soundbar as a wise investment that is

•  inexpensive, 
• easy to set up, and 
• provides decent sound quality. 

You can find a good soundbar for around $120 that has some sound depth and enhances the viewing experience, and one that pairs to your viewing device wirelessly so that you have fewer cords and physical connections to worry about.

If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can find a soundbar that is accompanied by a subwoofer, which will greatly enhance the listening experience in your home cinema room.

Comfortable seating

While the technology behind your home cinema setup is important, it is important to consider seating when planning a home cinema room. Movies often span around two hours, and you likely want to be comfortable for the duration.

Experts recommend getting a plush couch with a few pillows as a great choice for a home cinema room. Another good option is getting comfortable recliners on the second-hand market.

One unique tip found on the internet is to seek out recliners from RVs. Many people who have travelled long distances in RVs find that the recliners in the trailers are insanely comfortable.

There are many RV recliners available on e-commerce sites like Amazon, and many of these options are affordable, coming in at less than $150 per unit. This is a great steal, considering the comfort and accessories offered such as cupholders, armrests, and headrests.

DIY elements of a home cinema rooms

Building a home cinema room on a budget involves doing some of the work yourself, as the labor costs can add up over time and make the whole project more expensive than you would have initially expected.

There are videos on the internet that can help you do some of the work yourself, such as running cables along the wall, setting up viewing devices and sound systems, installing thick curtains on the windows, and syncing all your equipment so that they work well together.

One of the classic features of a home cinema is setting up tiered seats such that one row of seats is higher than that in the row before it. This makes a room feel more like a theater rather than a den.

Thus, you may have to buy and install furniture risers or build them on your own. To do this, consult an online construction manual from proven experts, before acquiring the needed lumber and tools to build them in your home.

Remember to measure your seating options and mark them out on paper before building them. You can also use several videos on the internet for reference.

If you feel that such a build is outside of your skillset, ensure you hire a carpenter for this part of the build, and negotiate the costs upfront with different workers so that you end up with the best possible results in return for the amount spent.

Remember to replace your traditional curtain rods in the home cinema room with wraparound rods so that the blackout curtains you acquire can fully block out the light from the edges of windows and doors.

Accessorize the room

Various accessories like movie posters, a small console for snacks, and movie-themed blankets can elevate any home cinema room. Add small side tables next to the seating and extra pillows to increase the comfort of being seated for a few hours at a time.

You can also consider gentle and indirect ambient lighting around the floor level and the edges of the surrounding walls, which will make the space look luxurious and will guide occupants safely around the room.

Conclusion

Many sources on the internet have detailed instructions on a DIY home cinema room and budget-friendly furnishings and entertainment devices.

Do some research on pocket-friendly home cinema rooms, and visit your local retail stores to see what you can get at the best possible prices that fit your needs.

With a little ingenuity and hard work put into your home cinema room, you can end up with something that looks more luxurious, elegant, and expensive than it is.