Best Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Seattle

April 17, 2019

For many people in Seattle, the home theater or media room is more than a hobby room, but one of the most used rooms in the house. The entire room is centered around the large 4k TV. The state-of-the-art speakers covers you in dramatic scores and rich dialog. Now, you need to install the most functional window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

When your media room is used as a gathering place, you need to get everything from your television. Of course, you need a window treatment that will totally darken the room, so that you don’t get glare on your screen. It’s also helpful if your window treatments could completely dampen outside sound. As an added bonus, your shutters or shades should have style even when your movies aren’t playing.

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

Your Window Coverings Should Dim The Light

Shutters in Theater Room

When you see a film in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side. The obvious choice are shades that block distracting sun and street lights. Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will block out the sun. And as the shades cover the full window, you can have the room as black as you need, so you can get a nice movie theater experience.

However, while the right kind of shade will get your room completely dark, they don’t work very well when your film isn’t being watched. If you want the opportunity to direct light in addition to blacking out the sun, you should try plantation shutters. Shutters have the ability to adequately darken the room when the louvers are shut. But when the movie isn’t on you might want some outside light, so the room doesn’t seem so stuffy. With these window treatments, you can let just a bit of light in, so visitors will still gather after the TV turns off.

Your Window Treatments Should Dampen Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Yes, your home theater or media room should block out light, but don’t forget about the significance of sound. Outside noise, such as children horsing around in the yard or a running lawn mower, can divert you from your viewing experience. Music and dialog from what you are watching should also be protected, as dialog and music can become muffled when it hits your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can keep the room dark, but they usually are a bit slim to adequately stop outside noise. Mail-order and store-bought blinds can have the same problem as they are open 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 can muffle outside annoyances, but might also distort your show’s sound and stop you from enjoying a true surround-sound experience.

Plantation shutters, on the other hand, block outside noise and keep inside sound nice. If your street is mostly reserved, any plantation shutter should fit your needs. But if you live in an area that has more ambient noise, like close to a playground or on a busy street, you will probably want to use a heavier faux wood shutter. Whatever treatment you decide on, make sure you reposition your sound system after you install window treatments so that you get the most from your speakers.

The More Uses Of Your Media Room, The More Functional The Window Treatment

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

As larger screen televisions become easier to get, media rooms have begun to function as the main recreational area. No longer confined to movies and television, media rooms are also a room for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. In this instance, you will want a more versatile window treatment that looks great 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 completely uncovered , letting in 100% sunlight, and you forfeit privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be seen as a general space, and not only as a space to watch movies. And since you can adjust each one as much as you need, you can deligate a side couch where friends might opt to catch up or read. Everyone else can then sit in darkness on the main part of the room enjoying the movie .

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

If your home theater doesn’t have a lot of outside windows, then you may want to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade. If you use a multi-use media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Whatever you choose, your Sunburst representative can help you out. Call 360-464-2277 so you can schedule your in-home consultation.

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