Top 5 Home Theater Designs in Chicago
When you were young, was there anything more exciting to hear than "Let's watch a movie in my home theater"? Between thick blankets, popcorn bowls, top-tier projectors and screens, the sound systems and the comfy seating, nothing felt quite like a classic home theater. That being said, nothing stays the same, and between the evolution of tech, home style and designs that are popular in Chicago, you might be surprised by modern home theater design. Abt knows because our experts have decades of experience working with the brands and designers that help drive the trends.
Below, we'll go through the top five home theater designs popular in Chicago. But just because our store is in Chicagoland doesn't mean we can't bring the best home theater to you. Whether you live in California, are moving to the East Coast or are hoping to become an Abt customer from Colorado, our experts will come to you to help create your home theater design. Read on for some inspiration from our custom AV experts.
The Customizable Video Wall
Projectors and projector screens still have their place in the realm of home theaters (especially thanks to advances in definition and contrast). But the latest development in home theater design involves the screen itself. Instead of the type of TV you'd find in a living room or a dedicated TV room, people are moving toward video walls. These are often custom-made to fit a client's home and they're multitalented. With a model from Just Video Walls, a brand we often work with and install, users can actually watch more than one thing at once. The screen can be divided into multiple parts, allowing a family to stream a show in one corner, watch sports in another, play a video game in another and more.
So, what makes a video wall better than a classic display like a projector or TV? First, many are designed with MicroLED technology for the best in brightness: enjoy deep blacks, high refresh rates and color vibrance. But what sets these walls apart is pixel pitch. No matter your home theater design, pixel pitch gives you that true home theater experience thanks to LED pixels that are close together. Packed-in pixels are made to give you one of the best possible viewing experiences on the market today. Whether you're a cinephile and stream new movies often, want to make the most of your next-gen gaming console or hope to have fun with the family on movie nights, a TV wall is the way to go if you're planning out a new home theater design.
Transforming an Open Space
Classic home theaters all look very similar, with a dedicated space that's closed off from everything but entertainment, TV-viewing and movie-watching. Now, the lines are getting more and more blurred—you can incorporate many of the elements of a classic home theater into an open space like an open-concept living room or a TV room. Instead of having home theater designs dominate the living space, you might want to keep some elements out of sight. High-quality home theater speaker systems can be installed in ceilings and walls, and some can even be installed behind the walls. Those can't be seen.
Next, the screen—and you have several options here. To truly make a statement with your home theater design, you can opt for a stationary extra-large TV or a video wall. Alternatively, you can keep your home theater hidden away with a projector and retractable screen. You could even choose the transparent LG Signature OLED T TV for a true conversation starter. When not in use, extra-large video walls can function as art, too, giving your home a vibrant look and showing off some of your favorite pieces or even photographs. If you're having a hard time choosing, the experts at Abt are here to help. When you're finished, this home theater will be the perfect spot for entertainment ... but what about seating?
All-New Furniture & Decor
If you've ever seen a classic home theater, you've likely enjoyed the plush theater-style seats, classic carpeting and decor that evokes a real-life movie theater. That's still a popular look, but trends change, and you might be surprised by what people are asking for now when it comes to home theater design: bean bags. Chicago home theater owners are looking for extra-large bean bags and plush couches as well as the classic sectional (especially if they have more of an open space or multifunctional home theater). Minimalism and light colors like beige, eggshell and gray are popular for walls and floors, and spaces tend to feel more open.
That being said, the traditional theater setup is far from gone. The home theater seats you can find now are glamorous and comfortable, with all-new features like phone chargers, massage capabilities, built-in Bluetooth and more. Alternatively, you can go for true comfort and opt for a complete massage chair. Enjoy the best of entertainment all while everyone in the room relaxes. Choose the right color and massage chair features for a room that's dedicated to relaxation and entertainment. If you're hoping for home theater design that makes your space feel like a real theater, you can do that easily—and with the best new features and trendy colors.
The Outdoor Theater
While Chicago has some tough weather in the winter, it's all worth it when spring rolls around. Flowers bloom, ice melts and suddenly everyone wants to spend days and nights outside. So why not opt for home theater design in your outdoor space? Consider outdoor TVs, TV walls that are designed to hold up against some tough weather and even projector setups (complete with portable screens and portable projectors).
An outdoor theater should be more than just a few chairs and a portable projector, though. When it comes to outdoor theater design, consider your outdoor space. Could you outfit it with an outdoor speaker system that you could use to enjoy music when you're not watching movies? And do you want these speakers hidden in the brush or attached to your home? Home theater audio can be just as important as important as visual when it comes to entertainment, and if you're not sure what you're looking for, go to the experts who do.
Consider your seating arrangement as well. If all you have is a circular dining table with just a few chairs, that won't be enough seating (or comfortable enough seating) for true entertainment. Look at options like well-cushioned patio sofas and sectionals, and keep yourself properly shaded as you watch with a wide-enough umbrella. Outdoor entertainment is always a little trickier than indoor entertainment, so make sure you know what you want before you buy with outdoor home theater design.
Pro Tip: If you're using a classic outdoor TV, make sure the screen's sun resistance matches where you're installing it, from full-sun to partial-sun installation. Make sure to protect your AV equipment when it is not in use.
First or Second Floor Home Theaters
The classic home theater design generally placed this room in the basement, dedicating an entire floor's mood to entertainment. Whether it was beside a home bar or table games, everything about that classic layout speaks to entertainment.
The latest trend in home theater design removes the home theater from the basement entirely, placing it on the first, second or higher floors. Now, if it's on the first floor it could intersect with that open space concept. But others are moving their entertainment to the upper floors of the home, giving them dedicated, extra-large rooms. Instead of keeping entertainment stored in the basement, it's just a few steps away from your bedroom. If you're in Chicago, a home theater on a floor at the right angle may even give you a good look at the city.
These Aren't Just For Chicago—And Abt Goes Everywhere!
These new trends are more than just popular in Chicago. For example, an outdoor theater is the perfect investment for a home in a warmer (and/or drier) state like Arizona. Meanwhile, open-concept homes have been popular nearly everywhere, and transforming an open space into a multifunctional home theater is one way to make a budget-friendly entertainment space anywhere that space is at a premium—perfect for nearly any city in the country.
And while we're based in Chicago, our home theater design team will go across the country to help with your home theater design. From seating to sound to screens, our team of specialists will be there to help every step of the way. To learn more, call Abt at 800-860-3577 or reach out to us with the form below.
Let us assist you
Schedule an Estimate
Home Theater Design FAQs
-
A video wall is a large display designed for home or business use. Video walls are often custom made to fit your needs and your spacw and can be broken up into multiple screens, allowing users to view different content at the same time.
-
That depends on what you want out of and in your home theater. If you have no ceiling we can give you the best and help you plan the perfect home theater for your space. But if you're on a budget and have a few thousand dollars, we can make that work as well. It depends on where you want to focus that money as well—into your display, your audio system or somewhere else. Come to Abt with your budget and we'll help you work on a home theater.
-
If you come to AV specialists at help we can place all of your speakers and subwoofers for you. If not, your best bet is to try a few different placements, move to your seating space and see what sounds best. Starting by placing yours a few inches from the front wall or a front corner is a good idea and can bring great bass impact.
