Movie Night – how to make your living room feel like a movie theater
Heading to the movie theater with everyone in tow will probably cost an arm and a leg, but that doesn’t mean you should have to miss out on this quintessential activity. When the weather really gets bad outside, curl up on the couch, pop the popcorn, and turn your living room into your own personal movie theater. Here are a few tweaks you can make to recreate your space as a cinema.
- Hang blackout curtains (or a makeshift version). One of the best parts about seeing a movie in the theater is the way the story swallows you whole, with no light or ambient noise to distract you. Design the same type of atmosphere at home by blocking any sunlight or city lights streaming through your window. Hang blackout curtains in the living room or, if you don’t want to invest in a set just for movie night, DIY some by hanging a thick blanket over each window. As long as it blocks most of the light, you’ll be able to get totally swept away by the action on screen.
- Rearrange the furniture. Although you can’t totally emulate the stadium-style seating of a movie theater—at least, not without undertaking a major DIY project—you should be able to rework your living room so that it’s a bit more appropriate for movie night. Rearrange your couch and comfy chairs so that they’re all facing the screen, and add throw pillows and blankets liberally to amp up the comfort factor even more.
- Try a projector. If you’re really committed to making over your living room in the name of movie night, your standard TV won’t do. Instead, try renting an HD projector. You’ll be able to splash your movie right across a blank wall, a hanging sheet, or a rented screen, and it’ll definitely take your viewing experience to the next level. Renting a projector is an investment, though, so if you intend to just watch a flick on your big-screen, you can still adjust the TV to make it more movie friendly. Make sure it sits right about at eye height, so you won’t have to strain your neck to see the action, and adjust the sound so that everyone can hear easily—but not so loud that each action scene makes the walls shake.
- Prepare the proper snacks. A movie is only as good as the snacks munched on during the opening credits. That’s why you should make sure you have all the classic movie snacks ready to go before pressing play. The popcorn should be popping, the M&M’s and Reese’s Pieces arranged artfully on the counter, the soda and sparkling water chilling in the fridge. If you’re really invested in the movie theater facade, craft a sign indicating what’s on the menu for movie night.
- Add movie posters. As the cherry on top of your makeshift movie theater’s decor, hang some vintage or contemporary movie posters around the living room using temporary adhesive strips. This step is optional, but you’ll probably earn some bonus points from your fellow living-room moviegoers.
How to turn your family room into a movie theater [SheKnows]
How to Make an Easy Movie Theater in Your Living Room [SF Gate]
5 Ways to Turn Your Living Room Into a Home Movie Theater [MovieFone]