Home Theater Lighting Tips

Home theater systems came as a boon to the cinema aficionados who couldn't make it to the theaters every time they wanted to experience the excellent audio visual amenities of the movie halls. Since they first became popular in the 1950s, technological advancements have made watching movies in one's home cinema or home theater just as real as watching one in a movie theater. The real experience of a home theater is complete when proper lighting complements its superior picture and sound quality. Some people have gone to the extent of dedicating a room to installing their home theater system.

Lighting Tips for Your Home Theater

When it comes to lighting for one's home theater system, most prefer to keep it dim. This effect can be further accentuated by using creative ways of lighting. From wall sconces to fiber optics, there are choices galore for the more passionate viewer.

Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are a great option that adds to the mood of watching a movie. Their soft lights create the perfect ambiance that neither diminishes the essence of the movie nor do they strain the eyes. Wall sconces that come in a variety of shapes and designs provide a soft backdrop lighting that could add a touch of class to one's home theater. These devices create the dimming effect with the help of the plastic covering or translucent glass that spread the light in all directions, or the metal shell that reflect the light back to the wall they are fixed on. Some manufacturers also make themed-wall sconces to help create the perfect atmosphere for watching a movie.

Recessed Lighting
Also referred to as pot lighting, recessed lighting are put in inaccessible places in a room, generally inside a ceiling. They direct light at the ceiling, towards a wall or any other area of the room. This helps to reduce the glare of the bulb which results in perfect lighting for home theaters.

LEDs
Light emitting diodes or LEDs have come a long way from being used in microwaves or VCRs due to their dim light output. Nowadays, the LED lights are bright enough to replace normal lights. However, their small size and low electricity requirements mean that they can be used in rope lights and cove lighting that would perfectly complement the mood of a home theater.

Accent Lighting
This refers to putting a low-voltage light behind the couch or the screen which emits a soft glow that is soothing to the eyes. As putting it behind the screen will give a sense of depth to the image, this creates lesser strain on the eyes. Certain television manufacturers are known to have provided certain of their television models with accent lighting features that changed color according to the theme of the image being displayed on the screen.

Fiber-Optics
With the use of fiber optics, the sky is the limit, literally! Fiber optics can be used for numerous designs. The most common of these is creating a night sky that is lit by numerous glittering stars. A fiber optic ceiling can be installed by purchasing pre-manufactured panels available in the market or can be made using a do-it-yourself kit.

Explore More Technology

This is for the perfectionist who might go that extra mile to make movie watching a complete experience. If you use wall dimmers, these could be replaced with dimmers that are operated with a remote control. Installing voice controlled switches could further add a touch of Hollywood movies to your home theater system. These switches could function as normal switches as well as programed to respond to one's voice.

While choosing the lighting equipment, the home theater system itself should be kept in mind. A home theater projector works best with no lights as it will produce a glare with additional light sources. A flat screen or plasma television distributes light more evenly with less glare. Hence, these work best for those who want to have some surrounding source of light for their home theater system.

Now that you have got the perfect lighting for your home theater, it's time to take out your favorite DVD, open that packet of popcorn, and enjoy the delight of movie watching in the perfect surrounding!