Expert Tips For Designing A Luxurious Home Cinema

With the rise of streaming and the ever-mounting cost of a cinema trip, more people than ever are opting to watch new releases from the comfort of their own homes. But the experience of squinting at your significantly smaller screen, warding off the sun’s unforgiving glare (directors, we beg you start properly lighting night scenes), and eventually giving up in the battle against the elements (the hum of the dryer and someone’s incessant popcorn crunching) by sticking on the subtitles, is simply not the same. So how do you recreate that luxurious cinema feeling in the comfort of your own home? We consulted the experts for their top tips.

How To Design The Perfect Home Cinema

Project London – shot by Aaron Hargreaves

Why Are Home Cinemas On The Rise?

According to the UK Cinema Association, cinema attendance is down by more than 28 percent compared to 2019, while streaming has surged by 230 percent since 2015. From Deliveroo to the rise of online shopping, more people than ever are demanding ‘bring-it-to-me’ experiences that can be enjoyed from the comfort of their homes. As Cor Domi head of design Matthew Andrews explains, ‘There’s so much choice now with streaming platforms, and films are available just a few weeks after they come out in the cinema. For a fraction of the cost of taking the family out, people can get that same immersive experience at home.’ With us all leading busier lives, Andrews adds that it’s often difficult for friends and families to carve out time to catch a movie together while it’s still in cinemas. 

Additionally, more and more people are prioritising socialising by kicking their screens out of their living spaces and locking their TVs away into their own dedicated room. As Project London‘s senior interior designer Marcelina Janiszewka explains, ‘It’s also about sanctuary: a space that feels as considered as the rest of the home. Where possible, clients prefer a dedicated cinema room, which allows for optimal screen and sound placement, while keeping the main living areas free for art, design and entertaining.’

Where Should My Home Cinema Go?

According to Janiszewka, ‘location is everything’ when designing a home cinema – ‘Ideally, a basement or windowless room is best as these are naturally darker and easier to acoustically isolate.’ Andrews recommends looking for a space that you can fully control: ‘You want as little natural light and outside noise as possible. Basements are usually the go-to, but we’ve also done cinemas in lofts and even garages, especially in mews houses where space is tight.’ Don’t forget to consider the shape of the room too, as rectangular works better than square. 

How Do I Replicate The Luxurious Comfort Of A Cinema?

From their red velvet cushions and recliner seats to the cup holders and cosy climate control, high-end cinemas are masters at pairing comfort with luxury. To recreate the look in your own home, deep comfortable seating with high-quality upholstery is a must. 

Project London – shot by Aaron Hargreaves

Both Andrews and Janiszewka recommend Moovia as their go-tos for cinema-style recliner seating: ‘Their engineering is brilliant and they have a wide variety of designs,’ gushes Andrews. From the materials and stitching to the motorised headsets and ambient lighting, the seats can be made bespoke to your design needs. 

When it comes to bringing it all together, Janiszewka recommends thinking in layers: ‘Deep, upholstered seating with cushions and ottomans creates instant comfort, while tactical finishes such as velvet panels, textured wallpaper or plush carpets add a cocooning feeling.’ When it comes to fabrics think velvet, leather or suede, and don’t forget the cushions and throws for some additional at-home comfort. 

While you want to remain cosy, one of the best parts of a cinema trip is experiencing that theatrical thrill. To capture this feeling at home, Janiszewka advises adding a ‘touch of glamour’: ‘Bronze trims, bespoke joinery, or statement lighting elevates the space. Darker palettes or colour-drenching enhance the drama, while acoustic finishes improve sound as well as atmosphere.’ Extra details such as art deco finishes, vintage movie posters, a side bar, a fully-stocked mini fridge and a popcorn machine can further elevate the experience. Most importantly, remember the side tables for drinks and snacks: no one wants to be in charge of clutching the popcorn bowl all movie long. 

What Aspects Do People Tend To Overlook?

Ventilation and climate control are key to the cinema experience. ‘Cinema spaces are typically smaller, cosier spaces but they have a lot of equipment generating a lot of heat,’ says Andrews, ‘if you also factor in that if it’s a family movie night you’ve got lots of people in the space generating heat as well, you’ll want to make sure you’ve planned out how to keep the space cool when in full use.’

Another key aspect is acoustics  – you don’t want your sound set-up reverberating throughout the entire house. ‘The right acoustic treatment will ensure the sound is crisp rather than echoey,’ explains Janiszewka. While it’s important that you get the acoustics right, don’t be put off by the thought of foam panelling disturbing your aesthetics: done right, acoustic wall panels can double as an eye-catching design feature.

How To Perfect Your Lighting Design

While lighting can often be an afterthought, Janiszewka warns that it can ‘make or break’ your cinema experience. ‘We always plan lighting on multiple circuits – soft perimeter lighting, step lights, concealed LEDS – so that the mood can shift effortlessly.’ Lighting should never compete with the screen and should always be positioned so as to avoid any potential glare. 

Sims Hilditch

Andrews additionally suggests that you should layer up your lighting: ‘Ceiling lighting for general lighting, wall sconces for atmosphere and LED strip lighting to illuminate around the screen or around steps / under seats to give some subtle highlights to the space.’ Crucially, it should be warm-toned and dimmable, to remain cosy and inviting, and ideally controlled via a smart system, initiating ‘movie mode’ with the tap of a button without ever having to leave your seat. 

What Tech Do You Recommend?

When choosing between a projector or TV screen, it all depends on the size of the room. ‘For smaller rooms,’ says Andrews, ‘I’d usually recommend a large, high-spec TV as it will give you better brightness and clarity than a projector. For bigger, dedicated cinema rooms, nothing beats a good-quality projector with a proper screen.’ To master that surround-sound experience, Andrew suggests a 7.1 surround system if you can, but a good soundbar with a subwoofer will also do the trick in a smaller space. Janiszewka particularly recommends L-Acoustics and Wisdom Audio if you’re on the hunt for the right brand. Whether you’re creating a dedicated cinema room or a more multi-functional media room, both Andrews and Janiszewka advise following professional cinema guidelines and bringing in an AV specialist if your budget allows – ‘It really does make a difference.’