Home Theater Seating

Home Theater Seating

Part of the reason going to the movies is such an enjoyable experience is because the seats at the theater are so comfortable. When trying to replicate the feeling at home, sitting on a couch just doesn't feel the same. 

Thankfully, you can buy movie theater chairs for your living room. However, before making your purchase, you need to ensure that you're getting the best bang for your buck. So, with that in mind, let's dive into the world of home theater seating. 

Before You Buy

Setting up your home theater furniture involves more planning than just making space for the pieces themselves. Here's what you have to keep in mind before deciding on the best home theater seating: 

• TV and Speaker Placement - Another reason the movie theater is so enjoyable is that you can see and hear the film so clearly. So, when setting up a home theater, you have to keep acoustics and visuals in mind. Even if you're not going to install surround sound speakers, you need to make sure that your chairs aren't too far away. Otherwise, you'll wind up adjusting the volume constantly. 
• Other Furniture - Will your new home theater chairs be competing for space in your living room? For example, will you still have a regular couch or loveseat? What about a coffee table or end table? Movie theater seats can be pretty large and bulky, so you have to plan accordingly. Also, remember that you'll be able to recline, so you need sufficient space in front of the chairs as well. 

Features to Consider

When comparing different cinema chairs, there are a few elements to pay attention to, such as: 

• Number of Seats

The primary advantage of theater-style chairs is that everyone gets their own armrests, complete with cupholders. So, even if you buy a home theater couch, there is a specific number of seats available. As a rule, you can choose between one, two, or three seats on a single piece. If you need more than that, you can buy multiple units and arrange them however you like. 

• Lighting

If you like to watch movies in the dark, it can be hard to see where you're going when you need to get up to use the bathroom or grab some extra snacks. Some movie theater seats come with LED lighting on the bottom to alleviate this problem. Usually, the lights are blue, but sometimes, you can customize the color. 

• Center Console

While armrests are included, some cinema chairs can have a center console between seats. This console is helpful to keep snacks, remotes, and other items within arms reach. The console can also have storage compartments for added convenience. 

• Headrest and Cushions

Since comfort is the main reason to buy home theater seating, you can choose furniture that comes with extra cushioning for your head, rear, and armrests. 

Types of Theater Seating

When picking out movie theater chairs, you can either buy individual seats or loveseat-style couches. The main types you can find include: 

• Single Chair - This option is best for adding to an existing sofa or loveseat. 
• Double Chair - Two seats and armrests for couples or kids. 
• Triple Chair - Ideal for small families or living rooms with a standard recliner. 
• Row of Four or Five - If you're committed to making a large home theater, getting an entire row of seats can help deliver a better experience for you and your guests. 
• Loveseat - This option has no armrest in the middle. 
• Loveseat Left or Right - There is a loveseat on one side and a single seat on the other. This option can orient to the right or the left. 
• Loveseat Center - This model has one seat on either side of the loveseat. This option is ideal for families as well, since parents can sit in the middle and kids can sit on the sides. 

How to Choose Theater Seating

We've covered the basic features and factors to consider before shopping for home theater furniture. Still, there are a few other elements to pay attention to before making a final decision. 

Step One: Determine Why You Want Theater Seating. Although cinema chairs are comfortable for watching a movie, they don't allow you to lay down. So, if you use your living room for other things besides film-watching, you might want something a bit more versatile. That said, you can add movie theater seats to existing furniture so that you get the best of both worlds. However, if you like to watch from the couch or the seats, you have to make sure that everyone can see the screen. 

Step Two: Determine How You'll Use Your Home Theater. Will you be the only one watching, or will you have multiple people joining you? Will you be hosting guests regularly, or are the seats for you and your family? Are you trying to replicate the whole movie theater experience, or do you just want a high-quality recliner with armrests?  Answering these questions will help you figure out the correct number of seats to buy. These answers can also help determine whether you need extra features like LED lighting and center consoles. 

Step Three: Measure Your Space. Once you figure out how many seats you want, you need to make sure that you have enough room for them. Remember, you'll want to recline while sitting, so you need clearance in the front and the back. If you have a smaller living room, you might need to adjust your placement accordingly. 

Step Four: Consider Accessories. You can buy multiple add-ons for your home theater chairs, such as folding tables, raised cup holders, and overhead lamps. If you want the ultimate theater experience, you want to make sure that these accessories are compatible with your new chairs. Overall, home theater seating can be an excellent way to enjoy your movies. Choosing the best chairs ensures that you and your family (or guests) will always want to come over to relax and have fun!

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