During times of uncertainty, we have used each area of our home even more, whether cooking in the kitchen or sitting around a fire pit in the backyard. One area that has arguably gotten the most use during the recent months is a media room where families gather to watch favorite television shows and movies. A media room can link us to worlds of nature, documentary, fictional storytelling and independent film, and during the 2020 Pandemic even mimicked local movie houses to bring community together while viewing separately. "Film is an incredibly powerful art form. It has a unique ability to inform, entertain, build empathy and conjure up strong emotions,” says Todd Looby, executive director for BendFilm. “Time and again, we have witnessed bonds form between family and complete strangers after they watch a film together. It's a unique phenomenon.” BendFilm continued its mission to bring people together through film experiences and adapted with the times to bring its Tin Pan Theater to audiences by streaming its films for audiences to view at home while theaters were closed to the public. Residential media rooms allow for the comforts of home with access to favorite snacks, drinks, plus provide options to bring in the most suitable audio and visual technology to fit a space. High-definition systems are now available at multiple price points, and surround-sound equipment like wireless soundbars give a theater-like experience. Even seating options include comfort technology. “I would suggest power theater seating equipped with USB ports, adjustable head rests, and a console piece with storage that includes beverage holders,” says Cliff Feingold, sales and design consultant for M. Jacobs Fine Furniture in Bend. Home media rooms can be big or small depending on the space available, and as weather improves, can extend to outdoor areas with some creativity and a simple outdoor projector. The ultimate perk of any home theater space is that you ultimate choose what’s playing on your own marquee, and the curtain is never raised until you say, “Showtime.”
HOME THEATER TIPS
Seating
Explore power theater seating by American companies like Flexsteel Motion Furniture.
MJacobsFurniture.com
Sound
Compact, wireless systems like sound bars are increasingly affordable for the average audiophile as well as the home theater buff and they replace the clutter of multi-speaker systems.
Viewing
High-definition display screens can provide an immersive experience, but in making a selection try to balance a combination of display size and viewing angle.
Outdoor Space
Consult with local design experts to create outdoor living spaces that can be modified for multiple uses, including a screening under the stars. PatioWorld.com
