Comfort, Control, & Content Safety

For many families, home theaters are places that bring their loved ones together. Whether watching a movie, competing in a video game showdown, or exploring other worlds through incredible, lifelike sound and images, these spaces, almost more than any others, become the gathering spot. 

There are a few tricks, however, to ensure a home theater that offers the ideal setting for both children and adults—a place that’s refined yet fun, and experiential yet safe. 

Here, we’ll explore the top considerations when creating a home theater that your whole family will love. 

SEE ALSO: The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Dream Home Theater

Family-Friendly Seating

While tiered luxury recliners may be ideal in a theater designed for adults, children require movement. They’re also much more relaxed if they know that spilling some popcorn or dropping a dollop of ice cream won’t result in multiple cleaning agents coming out of the closet and a timeout from the movie. 

Comfortable seating that works well in a multi-use space and accommodates kids’ developing motor skills requires durable, stain-resistant fabrics that are easy to clean, along with a modular layout. Depending on the room, these layouts may include sectionals, reclining sofas, loveseats, and ottomans. Versatile modular seating ensures the right spaces for lounging, watching movies, and playing Fortnite. 

Kid-Safe & Family-Friendly Controls

Smart home systems, such as Control4, offer robust parental controls that let you restrict content. With centralized control, you manage your entire home, including your home theater, through user-friendly interfaces, such as touchscreens and remotes. 

By creating dedicated user profiles, you ensure that children have access only to approved content. Single-touch programming makes it easy for them to select the things they love. For instance, pressing “My Movies” launches an app with parental controls, dims the lights, creates a soft trail of lights to the door, turns on the projector, and adjusts the audio system. You can also set volume limits to protect their young ears and your sanity. 

As a parent, you can monitor and adjust the settings from anywhere via a mobile app. Programmed settings let you create the ideal environment for the many activities that take place in this room, adjusting the lighting, climate, and AV for gaming, date night, movie night, and simply relaxing.

Dual-Purpose Spaces

The video and audio solutions will need to do double work. At Horner Networks, we’ll explore how you’ll use the room and the many options. For instance, for families who love playing Xbox, the video setup requires low input lag and high brightness. Another family member wants to ensure they can see their favorite movies on a wide screen. The answer for both may be a 4K projector that seamlessly switches between widescreen movie and gaming modes. 

In-wall and in-ceiling speakers deliver lifelike surround sound while keeping speakers out of the way of rambunctious little ones. In gaming, it’s even more important to know where every sound comes from. A Dolby Atmos surround sound system enables you to isolate sound and follow it around and above you. 

Integration of Gaming Systems

Today’s high-performance gaming consoles, including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, support 4K resolution, which is essential for the modern, immersive home theater. Details are sharp, and colors are vibrant. 

You can also consider other types of games beyond video games, such as board games, pinball machines, or an arcade cabinet. Golf simulators are growing in popularity and can also be used as interactive games for kids. If you have the space, these guarantee a fun time for the whole family.  

Date Night

On those rare date nights, it’s important to know that watching the latest thriller, like One Battle After Another, won’t wake the kids when the explosive special effects begin. To ensure this doesn’t happen, acoustic considerations that minimize noise leakage during naps and bedtime are essential.  

At Horner Networks, we use soundproofing solutions, including sound-dampening walls and insulation. Control4 also enables us to program alerts that notify you when the kids’ bedroom doors open or when someone approaches the front door. Along with the alert, you’ll see a video clip. 

While it’s a lot to consider, keep in mind that Horner Networks has been designing and installing high-performance home theaters that double as gaming meccas for over 20 years. These custom theaters are designed for your family and include features that will make this room the favorite one in your home. 

To learn more or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Horner Networks.