Home » Accessories » A Guide to Home Theater Lighting Options
“Lights, Camera, Action!”
A Guide to Home Theater Lighting Options
It’s no mystery why the word lights has always come first in the quintessential movie director’s catchphrase: “Lights, Camera, Action!” After all, the way a movie set is lit during filming makes all the difference in how the finished film will impact its viewers. Expertly planned lighting sets the mood for each movie scene… it enhances storylines, affects the audience’s perceptions and reactions, and can even make or break the looks of the actors. When you really think about it, lighting is one of a movie director’s most powerful tools!
In much the same way, the off-screen lighting in your home theater can also greatly enhance your movie watching experience. There’s no need to make do with the old “lights on/lights off” approach. Spend a little time on creative planning and researching the range of products on the market, and you’ll be amazed at all the ways in which you can custom-light your home entertainment room… no matter what your tastes and budget are!
- Fiber Optic “Starry Sky” Ceilings: For all you Drive-In fans, this custom fiber optic lighting gives you the at-home equivalent to taking in a movie under the stars in a top-down convertible… minus the mosquitoes, that is! It’s hard to think of a single movie that wouldn’t be more fun with a little overhead twinkle. Starry sky ceilings work best with home theater set-ups in designated viewing rooms (especially ones with dropped ceilings). If you’re a little faint-hearted on the do-it-yourself front, you’ll probably want to hire a professional installer, but if you’re experienced with home improvement and want to take care of things yourself, it’s easy to find the fiber optic kits and supplies that you’ll need from a wide variety of online home theater retailers.
- Cinema Themed Wall Sconces: When you’re watching movies in the dark, it’s much healthier for your eyes to have at least a little bit of light coming from a source other than your screen. Wall sconces or themed novelty lamps are a great solution for providing your home theater with supplemental lighting, and don’t worry: you don’t need to sacrifice style for function! With countless design choices ranging from art deco to modern, it’s easy to find home theater wall sconces and lamps to perfectly suit your décor. If you really want to play up a movie house theme, many home entertainment stores and home theater websites even carry lamps and sconces with distinctly cinematic motifs like movie tickets, popcorn, film reels and projectors.
- LED Path and Step Lighting: Physical comedy can make for a great movie… just be sure to limit the fumbling, tripping and falling to the actors on-screen! If you have (or are thinking of building) a dedicated viewing room with steps or tiered seating, definitely consider integrating LED path and step lighting… these ground-level illumination products are great for helping you navigate safely through your darkened home theater should you need to get up and walk around mid-movie.
- Lighted Theater Signs and Poster Frames: If you’re searching for unique touches to round out your viewing room’s décor, be sure to keep in mind that there are plenty of cinema-themed products on the market that can actually double as lighting! If you’re trying to create a nostalgic movie house feel, a scaled-down, art deco style marquee is just the ticket for providing your home theater with both Old Hollywood glamour and illumination. And even if “silver screen” isn’t your taste, you can always rely on backlit movie poster frames: they lend a nice glow to home theaters of any style, and will make you feel like you’re really at the multiplex!
- Drapes/Curtains/Window Coverings: It might seem a little illogical to be mentioning light-blocking products in an article about home theater illumination, but here’s the reasoning: just as well-planned lighting can make the most of your home theater experience, the wrong types of lighting can completely ruin it. There’s nothing like screen glare to take all the fun out of watching a movie, and one of the biggest causes of glare are windows that are in close proximity to home entertainment equipment. If your screen is located in a room that’s often flooded with sunlight, light-blocking window treatments are the perfect solution. From tightly-woven drapes and curtains to blackout-style roller shades, there are an endless number of options that can both enhance your existing décor while helping you control natural light.
- Dimmers/Automation: When you’re out at the movies, there’s nothing like the gradually lowering of the lights to get you in the mood for the Feature Presentation! Thanks to home theater dimmers and automation, that’s no longer something you can experience only at the movies. If the dimming of theater lights and the soft whoosh of parting curtains are vital to your movie-viewing experience, consider integrating your lighting, drapes and home theater equipment with a home automation system… you’ll be able to set the scene and start the show right from your armchair, all with the touch of a button!