Best Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Hartford

April 17, 2019

For some TV and movie lovers in Hartford, the home theater or media room is just not a specialty room, but one of the most important rooms you use. The whole room is focused on the large 4k TV. The sound system envelops you in dramatic scores and exciting sound effects. Now, it’s time to put up the most functional window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Even if your home theater is in a family or bonus room, you should get the most from your TV. It goes without saying, you need a covering that will totally darken the room, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. An added benefit would be if your coverings could muffle outside sound. And it probably would be nice if you could find a shutter or shade that shows some style even when the TV is off.

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

Your Window Treatments Should Completely Close Off The Light

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch TV in a home theater or media room, you want the room as dark as possible. The obvious choice are shades that block all outside light. Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will keep the sun out. And by using fabric or sold colors, you can make the room as black as you want, so you can get a real movie theater experience.

However, while different shades will black out a room, they may not direct sunlight around the room. If you wish to have the opportunity to direct light as well, you may want to consider plantation shutters. Shutters can adequately darken the room when they are closed. However, sometimes you might want to let in some natural light, so the space doesn’t seem so closed in. With plantation shutters, you can let just a bit of light in, while making sure that you can view the television screen without a glare.

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 influence of sound. Outside noise, such as neighborhood children horsing around in the yard or a neighbor dog barking, can disturb you from your viewing experience. Sounds from your television should also be addressed, as dialog and music can become muffled when it bounces off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can do a great job keeping the room dark, but they usually are too thin to adequately block out noise. Mail-order and store-bought blinds can have the same problem as they are open around the sides. But you can have great coverage with well-measured, custom-fit faux-wood blinds and hardwood blinds when properly installed by a Drapes and curtains might block outside sound, but might also muffle dialog from your TV and stop you from enjoying a true surround-sound experience.

Plantation shutters, in contrast, block outside noise and keep inside sound nice. If your street is mostly reserved, any plantation shutter should fulfill the purpose. But if you live in a community that has more outside activity, like in a child-friendly area or on a well-traveled street, you may want to use a quality faux wood shutter. No matter what shutter you decide on, make sure you reposition your sound system after you install window treatments so that you you get quality sound from your speakers.

The More Uses Of 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 more in fashion, media rooms have begun to be seen as the main recreational area. Used for more than films, media rooms can be a place for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. In this instance, you will want a functional window covering that looks sleek when it’s the room is being used for other purposes.

When a cellular or roman shade is raised, they the roll completely up. This leaves your windows completely uncovered to let in heaps of natural light, but won’t help privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be used as a utilitarian space, and not just as a movie room. And since shutters can easily adjust as much as you need, you can deligate a side couch where people may want to talk or do something else. Everyone else can then sit in darkness on the movie area catching the double feature .

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 to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade. If you prefer general use media room, then plantation shutters are the way to go. Either way, your Sunburst representative can show you all your options. Call 860-266-5459 today to schedule your in-home consultation.

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