The Creative Home Podcast | Episode #187
This episode is brought to you by 30 Easy Tips to Get your House Sold. Looking for a quick checklist that will help you focus on what to do to get your house ready to sell? Check out my free download, 30 Easy Tips to Get Your House Sold, and get your house ready today!
Now that winter and the holidays are upon us, a lot of us want to just hibernate. Let’s face it, it’s just darn cold outside and it’s dark! You want to stay inside, cozy up on the couch and watch some movies. I’m right there with you. And if you’re like me, you want to be comfortable. You want to have everything near you and not be interrupted when watching Die Hard, Harry Potter or a new Hallmark Channel movie, am I right?
So how do you get that movie room ready? Listen to the podcast or keep reading below to learn what you can do to create this space.
Listen to the episode
How to create a magical movie room without those fancy seats
How to create a magical movie room (without those fancy seats)
So how do you get that movie watching room ready? If you are lucky you have a separate room but others may not be so lucky. Some of you may think you need to shell out some dough on those fancy movie theaters seats with the tilted floor. But I’m here to to you how you can turn your living room, bonus room or maybe office space in your home into a movie night room.
1| Comfy chairs or couch
You don’t need separate movie chairs for comfortable seating. Especially when you see those renovated movie theater rooms with those big luxury chairs. A comfy couch is REALLY the most important thing. We have a big sectional in our bonus room that used to be in our rec room in the basement. So when you move around and change houses like we do, you try and want to reuse the same furniture but in different spaces. it is such a comfy couch that lots of friends and family love to sit on it and snuggle up on it because it is a big piece of furniture. So if you can get a comfy couch, comfy chairs, bean bags or anything like that, that is all you really need to help you create a magical movie room.
2| Blankets for your movie room
Definitely have some blankets nearby. Stash them in an ottoman nearby or draped on the couch that way you have them ready to go. If you have a closet in that room, you can stash the blankets in there too. This is especially helpful when you are watching a scary movie and just need to hide underneath them. Or if you are my young kids who are grossed out by those kissing scenes, they can hide behind the blanket too.
3| TV, Internet and DVD player
Obviously you will need a TV and a TV stand in that room along with Internet. Make sure there is an Internet connection to that TV so that you can watch movies on Hulu, Netflix, Amazon and more. We have a wifi router that connects to our TV so that we can get access to the Internet. So think about how you are going to connect to the Internet if that is something you need. Otherwise, if you live in a rural area and your Internet is spotty (especially during storms), you may want to consider a Blue Ray or DVD player. We have lots of DVDs because our Internet can be spotty in rural North Carolina.
4| Movie room speakers or sound bar
Another thing to consider to add to your movie room is a speaker or a sound bar. I know for the guys, they are thinking, oh yes, you need a subwoofer and sound bars. These will help with your movie magic area. We have one of those too because you know, when Star Wars is playing, you have to hear all the “pew pew” sounds on the screen.
5| Movie room signage
Movie room signage are artwork signs you can find in places like Hobby Lobby with popcorn sales or soda prices. Old fashioned signs for the movies work here as well. You might be able to get some movie posters to hang on the walls. Sometimes you can get them from the movie theater after the movie is shown and ask your local movie theater for the poster. Posters are another great way to add to the ambiance of your magical movie room.
6| Mini fridge
Consider adding a mini fridge to your movie room and it can be stocked with drinks like sodas, juice boxes, water, beer, wine. I know my kids would be happy with some juice boxes in there. A mini fridge also doesn’t take up too much space and it kind of doubles as a table.
7| Movie room snacks
You can have a basket of snacks available in this movie room as well. When friends of ours go to the movie theater, they fill up their pockets with leftover Halloween candy. So if you have leftover Halloween candy or other candy treats, this is a place to store it as well. If you can do popcorn, that’s great too as a snack.
8| Microwave and/or popcorn machine
If you want to, you can add a small microwave in the movie room or a popcorn machine. Some of you may not want to deal with a popcorn machine because of the smell or the cleaning required. Use what works best for you and your movie room. If you pop the popcorn in the kitchen and then have the fun popcorn bowls ready for the crowd. So any of these kinds of snacks like candy or popcorn makes it feel like you’re in the movie theater (but you’re at home).
9| Install dimmer lights in your movie room
While some of you may want to watch the movie in total and complete darkness, others may want some lights. Dimmer lights are a great compromise especially if you have younger kids who may scare easily.
So these are just a few things to consider when creating your magical movie room without having to renovate it and installing those fancy movie seats. This movie room may be something you use a lot so enjoy it and make it your own.
This is also a great room to show off when you are selling your home. A bonus room that shows as a movie watching area is a great way to show buyers how to use the space. Make sure the room is clutter free and furniture is arranged so as not to be too crowded.
Not sure if your room is stage ready? Check out my checklist, 30 easy tips to get your house ready to sell or for more info DM me on Instagram