The Moveable Movie Theatre
Here's how to integrate a proper home cinema into any space, which you can pack up and take with you – to another room, or a new home
Just imagine getting cosy in your tracksuit and slippers, screening a movie marathon with friends, pausing the film whenever you like, and best of all never having to wait in long queues at the local cinema for movie tickets and overpriced snacks again. If this appeals to you, read on to find out how to bring a cinematic experience to your home that is not only adaptable enough to install in any space, even if rented, but could also be packed up and taken with you should you move.
The Inclusions
First things first, before you can set up a home theatre, you’ll need to buy the appropriate hardware. The three big-ticket items you’ll need are a projector, a screen and a decent speaker system. You’ll also need a source for your projector, such as a laptop or DVD player. Depending on the quality and size you’re after and your budget, these items can range from hundreds of dollars each, into the thousands. If you plan to invest a lot of money into the hardware, it’s wise to consult a professional installer to make sure you get the right gear for your needs and space.
First things first, before you can set up a home theatre, you’ll need to buy the appropriate hardware. The three big-ticket items you’ll need are a projector, a screen and a decent speaker system. You’ll also need a source for your projector, such as a laptop or DVD player. Depending on the quality and size you’re after and your budget, these items can range from hundreds of dollars each, into the thousands. If you plan to invest a lot of money into the hardware, it’s wise to consult a professional installer to make sure you get the right gear for your needs and space.
A concealed projector
Easily transform your bedroom or living area into a screening room by stashing the projector in the ceiling using a remote-controlled motorised projector lift. This can cost anywhere between AU$500 to AU$9,000 depending on the quality you want, size requirements and installation cost.
If a projector lift isn’t viable or sits outside your budget, look into constructing a niche or shelf for your projector to sit on. This ensures your bedroom or living room remains a functional and stylish space by day, and the projector can be neatly tucked out of the line out of sight. For renters, you could look at temporarily mounting your projector on your bedhead, bookcase, kitchen bench, table or dresser for a quick, convertible, home cinema solution.
TIP: You want to pick a flat and relatively high spot, close to power outlets, that’s far enough away from your screen to get as large a projection size as desired.
Easily transform your bedroom or living area into a screening room by stashing the projector in the ceiling using a remote-controlled motorised projector lift. This can cost anywhere between AU$500 to AU$9,000 depending on the quality you want, size requirements and installation cost.
If a projector lift isn’t viable or sits outside your budget, look into constructing a niche or shelf for your projector to sit on. This ensures your bedroom or living room remains a functional and stylish space by day, and the projector can be neatly tucked out of the line out of sight. For renters, you could look at temporarily mounting your projector on your bedhead, bookcase, kitchen bench, table or dresser for a quick, convertible, home cinema solution.
TIP: You want to pick a flat and relatively high spot, close to power outlets, that’s far enough away from your screen to get as large a projection size as desired.
Hidden screen
In a similar way to stashing the projector, you can opt for a retractable wall-mounted movie screen, where the screen rolls up out of the way at the touch of a button. On the plus side, the screen won’t take up valuable wall space in your living area; you can even roll it down over a mounted artwork, a TV for everyday viewing or over shallow display or storage shelves.
In a similar way to stashing the projector, you can opt for a retractable wall-mounted movie screen, where the screen rolls up out of the way at the touch of a button. On the plus side, the screen won’t take up valuable wall space in your living area; you can even roll it down over a mounted artwork, a TV for everyday viewing or over shallow display or storage shelves.
If you’re a renter unable to make modifications to the property, you can achieve a nice result using a white or cream wall as your screen. That way you’re not limited to a specific screen size – and you can move the projector around your house wherever and whenever you feel like setting up a makeshift cinema.
Inconspicuous speakers
For the design-conscious wanting an unobtrusive home cinema setup, go for concealed surround-sound speakers. Having speakers installed in your living room’s ceiling doesn’t take up any extra space, and is a subtle addition that won’t detract from your interior’s overall style.
If you prefer to have transferable speakers that you can move around the house, or from house to house, go for sturdy, floor-standing speakers or a channel speaker system. This way you can easily store your speakers in a cupboard, TV unit or drawer post movie night, and they won’t impact upon the look or function of your everyday living room.
More on home sound systems
For the design-conscious wanting an unobtrusive home cinema setup, go for concealed surround-sound speakers. Having speakers installed in your living room’s ceiling doesn’t take up any extra space, and is a subtle addition that won’t detract from your interior’s overall style.
If you prefer to have transferable speakers that you can move around the house, or from house to house, go for sturdy, floor-standing speakers or a channel speaker system. This way you can easily store your speakers in a cupboard, TV unit or drawer post movie night, and they won’t impact upon the look or function of your everyday living room.
More on home sound systems
Block-out curtains
If the space you’re adapting into a movie-viewing spot has windows, cover them with heavy curtains rather than roller blinds or shutters for the optimum viewing experience, even during the daytime. There’s nothing worse than sunlight or the shine from streetlights penetrating through the window, compromising the projection quality of your DIY cinema setup. Better yet, look into motorised block-out roller blinds to transform your space from an everyday room to a home cinema in an instant at any time of the day.
If the space you’re adapting into a movie-viewing spot has windows, cover them with heavy curtains rather than roller blinds or shutters for the optimum viewing experience, even during the daytime. There’s nothing worse than sunlight or the shine from streetlights penetrating through the window, compromising the projection quality of your DIY cinema setup. Better yet, look into motorised block-out roller blinds to transform your space from an everyday room to a home cinema in an instant at any time of the day.
Comfy seating
Kick back with friends and your fave film with plush cinema-quality chairs complete with reclining footrests, cup holders and in-built side tables. There are even models where you can get a cold drink from a fridge concealed in an arm rest, and take advantage of an in-built tension-melting mechanical massage.
If you’re not a fan of the cost (they can cost up to AU$3,000 each!) and look of cinema chairs plonked in the middle of your lounge, opt for a four or five seat modular sofa with in-built electric recliners. That way you don’t have to compromise on the everyday practicality and style of your lounge setting, but you can still have the Gold Class reclining cinema chair experience at your fingertips come movie night.
Kick back with friends and your fave film with plush cinema-quality chairs complete with reclining footrests, cup holders and in-built side tables. There are even models where you can get a cold drink from a fridge concealed in an arm rest, and take advantage of an in-built tension-melting mechanical massage.
If you’re not a fan of the cost (they can cost up to AU$3,000 each!) and look of cinema chairs plonked in the middle of your lounge, opt for a four or five seat modular sofa with in-built electric recliners. That way you don’t have to compromise on the everyday practicality and style of your lounge setting, but you can still have the Gold Class reclining cinema chair experience at your fingertips come movie night.
Outdoor viewing
If you’re lacking blank wall space, venture outside for opportunities in your backyard or alfresco area. You may find a wall that would suit a weatherproof screen and fit adequate seating opposite. Painting an external wall white can also work effectively as a DIY outdoor movie screen.
If you don’t have an appropriate exterior wall, consider grabbing your projector, speakers and an extension cable, pull up a deck chair or bean bags, string a white king-size bed sheet between two trees, or from awning or clothesline to use as the screen and, presto, you have your own DIY open-air cinema. There are also inexpensive inflatable outdoor movie screens on the market that make for a more wind-resistant affair, and would provide better picture quality than a bed sheet.
See 10 epic outdoor cinemas
If you’re lacking blank wall space, venture outside for opportunities in your backyard or alfresco area. You may find a wall that would suit a weatherproof screen and fit adequate seating opposite. Painting an external wall white can also work effectively as a DIY outdoor movie screen.
If you don’t have an appropriate exterior wall, consider grabbing your projector, speakers and an extension cable, pull up a deck chair or bean bags, string a white king-size bed sheet between two trees, or from awning or clothesline to use as the screen and, presto, you have your own DIY open-air cinema. There are also inexpensive inflatable outdoor movie screens on the market that make for a more wind-resistant affair, and would provide better picture quality than a bed sheet.
See 10 epic outdoor cinemas
Hopefully these ideas will help get the ball rolling on setting up your own convertible home cinema.
TELL US
Do you have any additional tips for setting up a DIY home cinema? Please share them in the comments section below.
MORE
Browse a gallery of extravagant home cinemas
TELL US
Do you have any additional tips for setting up a DIY home cinema? Please share them in the comments section below.
MORE
Browse a gallery of extravagant home cinemas
There’s nothing quite like sitting in a comfy armchair, a warm bucket of popcorn on your lap, and taking in a film on a big screen. The only thing that stands to improve this experience is having all of this in the convenience and comfort of your own home. Survey your layout to see if you have a room that could be converted, an area that could do double duty or even a corner of a room that could accommodate some of the hardware.
If you’re not fortunate enough to have a spare room that you can transform into a dedicated home cinema, there are still a number of features you can integrate into your home to mimic a cinematic experience.
See small screens that hit the big time