Best Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Boise

April 17, 2019

For some TV and movie lovers in Boise, the home theater or media room is more than a specialty room, but one of the most inclusive rooms in the house. Your big screen 4K TV serves as the definite focal point in the room. The surround sound speaker system envelops you in dramatic scores and rich dialog. Now, it’s time to put up the most functional window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Your media room may double as a family room, but you still want to get the most from your TV. It goes without saying, you need a window treatment that will completely darken the room, so that you don’t see glare on your screen. It’s also nice if your window coverings could completely dampen outside sound. As an added bonus, your coverings should keep some style even when you're not viewing the latest blockbuster.

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

Your Window Coverings Should Make The Room Pitch Black

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 block distracting sun and street lights. Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades can effectively keep the room dark. And by using fabric or sold colors, you can get the room as dim as you need, even where the main illumination will come from the screen.

However, while different shades will effectively dim a room, they don’t direct sunlight around the room. If you want the opportunity to direct light as well, you may want to consider plantation shutters. Shutters can completely block out outside light when they are closed. But when the movie isn’t on you might want some sunlight, so the room doesn’t seem so stuffy. With shutters, you can direct outside light, so every TV watching experience isn’t always in darkness.

Your Window Treatments Should Block Out 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 horsing around in the yard or a running lawn mower, can disturb you from your viewing experience. What comes from your television should also be protected, as your program’s sound can become muffled when it hits your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can keep the room dark, but they can be too delicate to adequately stop outside sounds. Blinds can have the same issues as they are usually loose around the sides. Drapes and curtains might block outside noise, but might also dampen your show’s sound and prevent you from hearing a true surround-sound experience.

Plantation shutters, on the other hand, block outside noise and keep your movies sounding pure. If your yard is generally quiet, any plantation shutter probably will fulfill the purpose. However, if you reside in an area that has more traffic or children, like close to a playground or on a popular street, you will probably want to use a denser faux wood shutter. Whatever shutter you pick, make sure you reposition your sound system after after your treatments are installed so that you get the most from your speakers.

The More Functional Your Media Room, The More Functional The Window Treatment

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

As 50” - 72” inch televisions become in vogue, media rooms have begun to become the main recreational area. Used for more than movies and television, media rooms are also a room for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. If you use your room for more than one purpose, you will want a more versatile covering that looks stylish when it’s not in use.

When a cellular or roman shade is raised, they the roll completely up. This leaves your windows bare enough , like the window treatment doesn’t exist, which may not be the best decision. Plantation shutters let your room be seen as a utilitarian space, and not only as a movie room. And since you can adjust each one to a variable amount of light, you can deligate a back area where people might opt to talk or play a game. Everyone else can then sit in the movie area enjoying the movie .

Which Window Treatment For Your Home Theater Or Media Room Will You Choose?

If your media room doesn’t have a lot of outside facing windows, then you may want 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 208-609-9129 and schedule your in-home consultation.

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