The Best Home Theater System Deserves The Perfect Lighting!

Even the most expensive home theater system will not be able to display an optimal picture if you don’t pair it with the appropriate lighting solution. And yet, when they consider the budget that they are willing to invest in the home theater system, many of us ignore the lighting expenses. This is a completely wrong approach to the problem and the reason is that the two are interdependent.

For example, let’s assume that you opt for a projector-based system and you choose to combine it with sconces. In this case, the lighting of the sconces will interfere with the light produced by the projector, causing highly problematic screen glares. You would not be in this situation if you select a flat screen television set instead of the projector or if you opt of recessed LED lighting instead of sconces. This is just one example of how you can completely ruin a perfectly good setup with incompatible fixtures. What can you do to avoid the problem? Start by discussing your setup with a lighting design specialist.

How can the lighting designer help me achieve the perfect setup?

First of all, I want to point out that the expertise of this professional needs to be employed in the early stages of the project, preferably at the same time you hire the audio/video expert, the interior design team and the architects. The lighting designer has been around the block a few times and his experience in arranging and installing the optimal system as well as utilizing various tricks to ensure that the light is just bright enough and falls at just the right angle is invaluable. Because he will be part of the team in the early phase of your project, the lighting design expert can discuss various options with the other interior designer and the architect, ensuring a consistent appearance of your new dedicated entertainment room.

What are the most common lighting solutions available?

I’ll have to admit, nothing in this niche is quite as popular as recessed lighting and for good reason. They are a light source that takes up a limited amount of space, their beams can be directed in accordance to the specifications of the room so they will not interfere with the TV set or projector and they work equally well whether you mount them on the floor or on the ceiling.

However, while recessed lighting can perform the task admirably as standalone solutions, their effectiveness can be emphasized by introducing accent lighting positioned behind the television set or the couch. Placing the accent lighting in the back of the TV also permits you to watch movies in almost complete darkness (turning off the recessed lighting) without straining your eyes.

Sconces are equally viable lighting fixtures that are instead placed on the side walls of the room. This solution is quite versatile in terms of shape and you also have the ability to orient their beams accordingly. On a side note, you can even emphasize paintings or movie posters with a sconce, providing you position it correctly. A further creative suggestion here is to combine this fixture with rope lighting or puck lights and under-cabinet lights. However, I want to point out that it is recommended to refrain from installing this solution within the structure of the drywall because they have the tendency of generating high amounts of heat.

Features that should not be missing from these lighting solutions

Irrespective of what type of lighting you opt for, the primary features of the fixture should be versatility and convenience. By versatility I’m referring mostly to the ability to redirect the light beams and to change the candlepower via the dimmer switch. Since not all movies require the same type of lighting in order to be viewed optimally and due to the fact that at some point you may want to upgrade your system, you should ensure that you don’t need to invest in new lighting fixtures as well.

At the same time, I consider that a lighting system that has a certain degree of automation and that permits you to control it without having to get up from your comfortable chair every single time can be deemed convenient. Nevertheless, don’t forget to mention your preferences to your designated lighting designer before he starts working on your project.

Chad is a blogger for Access Fixtures, a leading provider of lighting fixtures.