Over the past few years, Austin, Texas has been one of the fastest growing cities in the nation. People come to Austin for its many new job opportunities, its vibrant music scene, and—of course—some of the best barbeque in the world.
As the number of homes in Austin has steadily increased, the housing market has become notably more competitive. People everywhere are looking for innovative new ways to add value to their homes. Without a doubt, one of the easiest ways for them to do this is to invest in a home theater.
With a new home theater, you can increase your quality of life while also making the place you live much more valuable. Home theatres are perfect for entertaining guests, watching movies, and catching the biggest sporting events. However, before you begin the process of creating a home theater in Austin, you are going to need to make several important choices.
In this article, we will discuss the most important things for you to know about building an Austin home theater. By taking the time to plan an entertainment center that is compatible with your current space, you’ll be one step closer to creating the sort of home you’ve always dreamed of.
Identifying your Current Entertainment Needs
Before you begin making any major purchases, it will be crucial for you to begin by identifying your current needs. Start by choosing the specific space you’d like for your home theater to be in. Ideally, the space should be around 13 by 20 feet, but anything larger than 12 by 12 feet will work.
You’ll then need to determine the types and intensity of construction that will need to take place. Framing, insulating, and lighting the room will all be very important. Depending on the current layout of your home, the construction will likely cost more than the projector and furniture combined. You’ll also need to leave room in the budget for a Blu-ray player, game systems, and anything else you might want to add. Many homeowners with larger amounts of space will often place their home theater next to a walk-up bar.
It will be crucial to think about the relationship between your theater and the rest of your home. When do you anticipate you’ll be using it the most? How well insulated will you need the walls to be? Are there any windows nearby? All these things will have a major impact on the final choices you end up making. Additionally, choosing between sofas and theater-styled seating, projectors and a large screen, and various decorations will all be very important.
Choosing an Austin Home Theater Companies
There are plenty of excellent Austin home theater companies available to choose from. These companies offer a wide variety of different products and services, ranging from offering specialized home theater products to developing entire home theaters from scratch. By having identified each of your needs in advance, you’ll have a much easier time knowing which company(s) are the perfect fit for your project.
When comparing different Austin home theater companies, visit each of their websites and read reviews from previous customers. Looking at the brands they carry, getting quotes, and comparing available services will help you narrow down your final decision. Many of these companies offer parallel—yet distinct—smart home systems, including lighting systems, security systems, and various others.
Selecting your Favorite Brands
In addition to having a wide selection of Austin home theater companies, each of these companies will also carry many different brands. Recently, Control4 has become one of the most popular home theater brands. Control4 systems can help you create a comprehensive theater experience, allowing you to control the screen, sound, lights, and ecosystem all from a single location. Elsewhere within your home theater, Lutron home automation systems can help you control your entire space with ease. Lutron allows you to build preset environments, allowing you to cycle between watching movies to entertaining guests with ease. The number of theaters with smart home technology has been steadily increasing. These systems can help bring your theater into the 21st century and establish the ultimate viewing experience.
Selecting from various projector brands, furniture brands, and audio/video brands will help you create the sort of theater you’ve always dreamed of. The right brands can make the difference between a theater that is just okay and a home theater that is truly exceptional. While a home theater is certainly a major investment, it is one you’ll surely be glad you made.
Making the Final Decisions
As the old saying goes, all of the devils are in the detail. While you may be in a rush to have your Austin home theater completed and ready to use, you’ll want to be sure that no stone is left unturned. While working with your chosen home theater designer, there are quite a few questions they’ll probably ask you:
- Is this a home theater or a multi-purpose media room? The intended use of the room will have a major impact on the final design.
- What is your preferred screen size and viewing distance? Being too close or too far from the screen can create an unpleasant viewing experience. Consider consulting the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineer’s specific recommendations.
- What are your audio, video, and lighting needs? By understanding how each of these distinct—yet interconnected—systems work together, you’ll be able to create the perfect home theater.
The best home theater installation teams will have plenty of experience working with Austin homes like your own. If you are unsure about these details or have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Conclusion
Having a home theater is a dream that many people have, but only a few people get to see ever become a reality. However, due to expanding brands and increased expertise, creating a customized home theater is easier than ever before. By keeping all these things in mind, you can be one step closer to making your home theater dreams come true.