The Perfect Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Minneapolis

April 17, 2019

For many people in Minneapolis, the home theater or media room is more than a hobby room, but one of the most used rooms in the house. Your oversized 4K television becomes the focus in the room. The surround sound speaker system envelops you in award-winning scores and exciting sound effects. Now, you should put up the perfect window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

When your media room is used as a gathering place, you should get the most from your TV. Of course, you need a shutter or shade that will adequately block out light, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. It’s also helpful if your window treatments could completely dampen outside sound. Last but not least, your shutters or shades should show some style even when you're not viewing the latest blockbuster.

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

Your Window Treatments Should Make The Room Dark

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch a movie in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side. You may want to start with shades that block the outside world. Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will block out the sun. And with the right materials, you can have the room as dim as you need, so you can get that authentic movie theater feeling.

However, while some shades will effectively dim a room, they won’t do a fantastic job at directing sunlight. If you wish to have the opportunity to direct light also, you will want to consider plantation shutters. Shutters can completely block out outside light when the louvers are shut. But there are times you might need some outside light, so the room doesn’t seem so closed in. With shutters, you can let just a bit of light in, so family and friends will still gather when the movie ends.

Your Window Treatments Should Block Out Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

While making sure your home theater or media room has enough darkness is the first priority, don’t underestimate the significance of sound. Outside noise, such as 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 distorted when it bounces off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can make the room dark, but they may be too thin to adequately hinder outside sounds. Mail-order and store-bought blinds can have the same issues as they are usually loose 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 annoyances, but might also distort inside sound and stop you from hearing a true surround-sound experience.

Plantation shutters, in contrast, can keep outside noise out and keep inside sound pure. If your street is generally quiet, any plantation shutter can fulfill the purpose. But if you live in a community that has more traffic or children, like in a child-friendly area or on a popular street, you may want to use a quality faux wood shutter. No matter what covering you choose, make sure you reposition your sound system after you install window treatments so that you a full experience from your speakers.

The More Versatile Your Media Room, The More Practical The Window Treatment

Bedroom with shutters and oar over tv photo courtesy of Kathy at The Daily Nest

As 50” - 72” inch televisions become easier to get, media rooms have started to be seen as a second family room. No longer confined to movies and television, media rooms are used for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. If you use your room for more than one purpose, you will want a more versatile window treatment that looks sleek when it’s the room is being used for other purposes.

When a cellular or roman shade is up, they the roll completely up. This leaves your windows bare enough to let in heaps of natural light, and you forfeit privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be utilized as a multi-purpose space, and not only as a movie room. And since you can open or close shutters to a variable amount of light, you can deligate a side couch where friends may want to talk or play a game. The rest of the group can then sit in darkness on the movie area enjoying the movie .

Which Window Treatment For Your Home Theater Or Media Room Works For You?

If your home theater doesn’t have a lot of outside facing windows, then you may want to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade. If you have a multi-use media room, then plantation shutters are the way to go. Either way, your Sunburst representative can show you all your options. Call 952-856-8130 and schedule your in-home consultation.

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