The Perfect Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Honolulu

April 17, 2019

For some TV and movie lovers in Honolulu, the home theater or media room is just not a niche, but one of the most inclusive rooms in the house. You place your chairs and sofa around the room so that all seats can see the big screen TV without any problems. The sound system envelops you in dramatic scores and exciting sound effects. Now, you need to cover your windows with the most functional window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

When your home theater is used as a gathering place, you need to get everything from your television. Nevertheless, you need a shutter or shade that will totally black out the room, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. An added benefit would be if your window coverings could muffle outside sound. And it probably would be nice when you find a shutter or shade that shows some style even when you're not viewing the latest blockbuster.

So what are the best window treatments for a home theater or media room?

Your Window Coverings Should Make The Room Dark

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch TV in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side. Your first instinct may veer to shades that blackout all outside light. Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will definitely keep the room dark. And as the shades cover the full window, you can make the room as dark as you need, even to a point where the main light source will come from your television.

However, while some shades will darken a room, they don’t direct outside light other than blocking it out. If you want the option to direct light also, you should try plantation shutters. Shutters can shroud the room in complete darkness when the louvers are shut. However, sometimes you might need some outside light, so the room doesn’t seem so closed in. With shutters, you can let just a bit of light in, so visitors can still gather when the movie ends.

Your Window Treatments Should Dampen Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Yes, your home theater or media room should block outside light, but don’t underestimate the importance of sound. Outside noise, such as kids playing in the yard or a running lawn mower, can distract you from your viewing experience. Music and dialog from what you are watching should also be preserved, as your program’s sound can become distorted when it hits your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can do a great job keeping the room dark, but they usually are too delicate to adequately hinder outside noise. Mail-order and store-bought blinds can have the same problem as they are open around the sides. But you can have great coverage with well-measured, custom-fit faux-wood blinds and hardwood blinds when properly installed by a Drapes and curtains might block outside annoyances, but might also distort your show’s sound and prevent you from having a true surround-sound experience.

Plantation shutters, as designed, stop outside sound and keep inside sound nice. If your street is mostly reserved, any plantation shutter probably will fulfill the purpose. Then again if you live in a community that has more ambient noise, like in a child-friendly area or on a busy street, you will probably want to use a quality faux wood shutter. No matter what covering you choose, make sure you set up your sound system after after your treatments are installed so that you get the most from your speakers.

The More Versatile Your Media Room, The More Practical The Window Treatment

Bedroom with shutters and oar over tv photo courtesy of Kathy at The Daily Nest

As 50” - 72” inch televisions become more in fashion, media rooms have begun to be seen as a multipurpose room. While they still are used for movies, media rooms can be a place for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. If you use your room for more than one purpose, you will need a functional window covering that looks great when it’s the room is being used for other purposes.

When a cellular or roman shade is raised, they dissapear into the window sill. This leaves your windows bare enough to let in heaps of natural light, and you won’t have privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be seen as a utilitarian space, and not just as a home theater. And since shutters can easily adjust as much as you need, you can deligate a side couch where people may want to catch up or read. The rest of the group can then sit in darkness on the movie area catching the double feature .

Which Window Treatment For Your Home Theater Or Media Room Is Best For You?

If your home theater doesn’t have many outside windows, then you may choose a cellular, roman or roller shade. If you have a general use media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Whatever you choose, your Sunburst representative can show you all your options. Call 808-797-2004 today to schedule your in-home consultation.

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