If you’re ready to build the home theater room of your dreams, it’s smart to begin with a budget. After all, there’s nothing worse than your exciting upgrade plans leading to unexpectedly high prices.
While the cost of a home theater can vary significantly, there are some basic elements you can plan for in your budget. Before starting your home theater renovation process, consider the costs of the following key components:
Screen & viewing device
The focal point of your home theater will be your screen. For this, you have the choice of getting a large TV or using a projector and screen.
If you decide to go with a TV, there are many factors to consider, including screen size, resolution and extra features. Smart TVs are incredibly useful for home theaters, but can cost significantly more.
Projectors also range in price and quality, but allow you the option to DIY a viewing screen. Using matte finish paint or sturdy cloth, you create a budget-friendly surface for your movie watching experience.
A projector also grants you a more authentic movie theater picture quality. For those who want a true movie theater experience at home, a projector and screen might be the best option.
Sound system
When building a movie room, most of your budget will likely go to your sound system. To achieve perfect movie theater surround sound, you can buy surround sound speaker sets, or make your own with individual speakers.
With individual speakers, you have more options to stay within your budget. However, expert audiophiles suggest using speakers of the same brand to ensure perfect sound matching for the entire room.
Whether you opt for a speaker set or individual speakers, consider the potential costs of installation. Mounting speakers to walls or ceilings might require professional assistance, and complex electrical wiring should always be handled by a licensed electrician.
There are other factors to consider when gathering home theater ideas, such as lighting, acoustics and theater seating. However, budgeting carefully for the primary components of a home theater such as viewing screen and sound system will help you build the movie theater of your dreams without breaking the bank.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
