Functional rooms are often the most difficult rooms to design, as there are practical as well as aesthetic considerations to take into account. They are also the types of rooms that benefit most from bespoke furniture.
However, much like how kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms are so rewarding to design, media rooms provide ample opportunities to transform a space with seating and a screen into the perfect social space during the deepest part of winter.
Equal parts cosy and modern, media rooms are an evolution of previous living spaces, but with the right approach, they can also be a stylish centrepiece of your home that you will love to invite guests to.
Here are some top tips to make your media room as stylish as possible.
Should Your Media Room Be A Home Cinema?
When people think of a media room, they often think of a home cinema setup, centred around a large screen to watch their favourite films and television shows.
However, before you commit to the theatrical aesthetic, think very carefully about practicality; are you going to only use your media room as a cinema or will it also need to be a sophisticated social space in its own right?
Most of the time, unless cinema is your hobby and passion, you will need your media room to be flexible enough to be social, and that requires considerations when it comes to shelving, seating, and your overall layout.
What Colour Scheme Should Your Media Room Use?
One of the big advantages of a media room is that you have ample scope to play with various textural, colour, pattern and design elements, and the best examples often incorporate the same types of whimsical fantasy that are embraced in the media we watch.
Using bold, striking colours, distinctive accent walls and moody matte walls can give your media room a sense of personality and purpose.
How Do You Build Your Media Room Around Your Space?
- Take advantage of existing alcoves or wall features using bespoke shelving and furniture.
- Design around your media wall first and work from there.
- Make sure your lighting and sound are fit for purpose.
- Be mindful of your window and consider thick curtains or blinds.
- Make sure there is enough space to walk around.
- Keep it simple and keep it comfortable.
Why Do You Need Bespoke Furniture For Your Media Room?
Whilst it is possible to make a media room with generic pieces of furniture, brackets and shelving, it usually is at best a patchwork solution and at worst actively detracts from the enjoyment of the room.
Having a bespoke media wall to work from is by far the best solution, as it allows you to make the most of the space you have, regardless of how awkward it would otherwise be.
It allows you to fit the screen at the right angle and height to avoid discomfort, allows you to manage the cables and fit as many shelves as you need, and provides a standout showpiece to impress guests and help make your big nights in even more enjoyable.