5 TIPS FOR BUYING GOOD HOME THEATER SEATS
So you've worked and worked on your home theater room. you've got your big new projector screen, all your components...you ran wire and installed your in-wall speakers.
It is finally time to sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a movie or your favorite show....except you need a place to sit!
Home theater seating can be one of the most important but overlooked elements in your entertainment space. The majority of home theater buyers focus their attention and their budget on the equipment that make up their entertainment system like the latest projection or screen equipment, surround sound speakers and other cutting-edge audio and visual equipment. Most buyers overlook an absolutely essential element to their viewing experience—home movie theater seating. The importance of movie theater chairs, sofas and other movie theater seating options for your home theater should not be ignored.
A great home theater requires a comfortable seat. After all, a comfortable seat for two to three hours of viewing is essential to your home entertainment enjoyment. Comfortable seating can provide a better experience. Uncomfortable seating, meanwhile, will yield unpleasant experiences, no matter how good the audio, video and other elements.
There are many similarities in home theater and media room seating, and quite a few differences to consider as well. Here are 5 things to look for when shopping for home theater chairs.
Size Matters & Seat Dimensions
Before you buy or even sit in anything, you need to know how many seats will fit comfortably in your room. The size and shape of the seats are important. However, you also need to consider the size and shape of the room, as well as the overall layout.
If you plan on hosting a large number of people, you will obviously need more seats and the arrangement of the furniture will be different in order for everyone to have a superior viewing experience.
Look and Feel
We love that home theater seating comes in so many sizes, colors and configurations. However, the look of your seats isn’t just about matching the decor. It can also determine how durable the seats are. Leather lasts a long time, but can be an acquired taste—and not just because it’s typically the most expensive option. There are also plenty of “leather match” choices that combine leather with something like vinyl, so you have the look, without the expense. Microfiber is soft, but also pretty stain-resistant. Are the kids and the family dog going to be welcome into your theater space? Many of these options are made to take their abuse. Whatever you decide though, make sure you know how to properly care for your particular type of seats. Certain chemicals, wipes and other cleaning methods could easily ruin your cushy purchase.
The Kick Back
Having a home theater recliner would seem like a no-brainer, home theater recliners should be supportive and recline so that you’re comfortable, but not comatose. Unless the screen is on the ceiling, having a recliner that goes all the way back won’t work that well in a home theater setting.
And since these seats don’t recline to the point where you’re completely horizontal, that means you can fit more seats into the room without having to be in the lap of the person behind you. Just make sure you have enough space to accommodate the recline of the back, as well as the footrest. Also know that once you recline, it will alter your viewing experience—and you want that to be a good thing. If your main objective is to pack ’em in, you may want to opt for fixed seating, similar to most commercial movie theaters.
The Extras
Almost every type of theater seat has its share of optional accouterments. We’re not just talking about footrests and reclining, though. If you want to really spoil yourself, opt for seats that have lighted cup holders, storage compartments, heat and massage, tray tables, and even iPad mounts. Companies such as D-BOX also make seats with motion simulators or existing seats can be retrofitted with The ButtKicker, if you want to put a little motion into the home theater viewing experience.
How Does It Feel
Next to budget, how comfortable the seats are will be the biggest deciding factor for your purchase. This is something that may be very different for different people. Some of you will want cushy seating, while others opt for back support. which ever your choice is; make sure you make comfort a priority.
A common mistake of home theater enthusiasts is to invest in the best audio and visual equipment but purchase home movie theater chairs that make the experience feel like a trip to the dentist. Don’t make the same mistake.
Final Thought
We hope you are in a better position to make an informed buying decision after reading our buyers guide and taking a closer look at some of the very best home theater seating options available on OUR STORE.
For all of the high fidelity and technology coming to us through our screens these days, it’s important to not forget that comfort is paramount.
The whole point of a home theater is to avoid having to go to loud and crowded cinemas with pokey seating, criminally priced snacks, drinks and loud teenagers. so don’t skimp on the seating because that’s one of the biggest bonuses about having a home theater in the first place. Plus, they look damn cool, too!