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Best Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Destin

April 17, 2019

For many people in Destin, the home theater or media room is more than a hobby room, but one of the most important rooms you could use.  The entire room is centered around the oversized 4k TV.  The sound system covers you in award-winning scores and rich dialog. Now, it’s time to put up the perfect window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Your media room may also be used as a family room, but you should get everything from your television.  Of course, you need a covering that will totally block out light, so that you don’t have to deal with glare on your screen. An added benefit would be if your window treatments could completely dampen outside sound.  Last but not least, your window coverings should show some style even when you're not viewing the latest blockbuster.  

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

Your Window Coverings Should Completely Close Off 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 shut out distracting sun and street lights.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades can effectively keep the room dark. And with the right materials, you can make the room as dim as you want, even to a point where the main illumination will be the movie you are watching.

However, while different shades will effectively dim a room, they may not meet your needs when your film isn’t being watched.  If you want the option to direct light also, you will want to try plantation shutters. Shutters will be able to shroud the room in complete darkness when you shut the louvers. However, sometimes you might need some sunlight, so the room doesn’t seem so closed in. With shutters, you can direct outside light, while still ensuring that you can watch television without a glare.  

Your Window Treatments Should Dampen Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

While making sure your home theater or media room has plenty of darkness is important, don’t underestimate the influence of sound.  Outside noise, such as neighborhood children having fun in the yard or a running lawn mower, can disturb you from what you are watching. What comes from what you are watching should also be preserved, as dialog and music can become muffled when it hits your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can do a great job keeping the room dark, but they can be a bit slim to adequately hinder outside sounds.  Blinds can have similar problems as they hang loosely around the sides. Drapes and curtains can muffle outside noise, but might also dampen your show’s sound and prevent you from enjoying a true surround-sound experience.  

Plantation shutters, in contrast, block outside noise and keep your shows sounding pure.  If your yard is mostly reserved, any plantation shutter probably will work just fine. However, 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 denser faux wood shutter. No matter what shutter you choose, make sure you arrange your surround sound after after your treatments are installed so that you a full experience from your speakers.

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

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

As larger screen televisions become in vogue, media rooms have started to function as a second family room.  No longer confined to movies, media rooms are used for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. Now, you will want a functional window covering that looks great when it’s not in use.

When a cellular or roman shade is up, they the roll completely up.  This leaves your windows bare enough , like the window treatment doesn’t exist, but does nothing for privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be utilized as a general space, and not just as a space to watch movies. And since shutters can easily adjust to a variable amount of light, you can designate a side couch where friends or family may want to visit or do something else. Everyone else can then sit in the main part of the room watching the film .

Which Window Treatment For Your Home Theater Or Media Room Will You Choose?

If your media room doesn’t have a lot of outside windows, then you may want to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you have a multi-use media room, then plantation shutters are the way to go. Either way, your Sunburst representative can assist.  Call 850-203-0419 so you can schedule your in-home consultation.