Turning your basement into a theater room is a great way to increase the living space inside your home and potentially increase the value of your property. Unfortunately, many homeowners make big mistakes during these conversions, and those mistakes can end up being quite expensive. Here are five tips and tricks that you can use to turn your unused basement into a world-class media room.
Consider Sound Quality
Your basement probably has terrible acoustics, and that means you will need to spend some time thinking about improving the sound quality. Even adding a little extra insulation in the walls and ceiling could have a major impact on the acoustics in your basement. You should also consider installing soundproof windows and doors so that you don’t disturb your neighbors or anyone else in the home.
Carry out Cable Management Early On
Hiding cables is another project that is easier to take care of when there isn’t much else in the room. In addition to adding HDMI wall plates, you might want to run Cat 6 or Cat 7 cables to the basement as well. Those cables transfer data at very high speeds, and that makes them a great option for streaming high-def videos and playing online games.
Use Soft Lights
If your basement is only going to be used to watch movies and play video games, then the lighting should be soft and dim. You can also install dimmable lights if you plan on hosting game nights or carrying out other activities in the basement. Dimmable bulbs and fixtures are easy to install, and this simple upgrade is going to make a big difference.
Power Supply
Even if you have a few outlets in your basement, they probably won’t be able to handle energy hogs like a sound system or media server. If the outlets in your basement are underpowered or more than a few years old, then you should hire a licensed and insured electrician before you finish the walls. Replacing and adding outlets is going to be much easier while the basement is still relatively empty. You can also have them installed in the ceiling if you’re going to be using a screen and projector. Or, if you’re installing a large TV they can add HDMI cables on the wall and hide the cables out of sight.
Don’t Skimp on the Seating
After spending money on cutting-edge electronics, it might be tempting to buy second-rate seats. Unfortunately, uncomfortable seats are going to ruin the experience for you and your guests. A wedge-shaped sectional is a great option for those who want to have comfortable seats for multiple guests.
As you are working on your basement conversion, you need to keep an eye out for any signs of water damage. A small patch of mold can become a major health hazard in a blink of an eye, and taking care of that damage is going to be time-consuming and expensive if you aren’t careful.
