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The Perfect Window Treatments For Home Theaters And Media Rooms In Austin

April 17, 2019

For some homeowners in Austin, the home theater or media room is just not a specialty room, but one of the most important rooms you use.  The whole room is focused on the oversized 4k television.  The state-of-the-art speakers covers you in cinematic scores and exciting sound effects. Now, you need to cover your windows with the perfect window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Your TV room may also be used as a family room, but you need to get the most from your television.  Nevertheless, you need a window treatment that will completely black out the room, so that you don’t see glare on your screen. It’s also nice if your coverings could muffle outside sound.  And it definitely would be wonderful for you to find a window treatment that provides 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 Dim The Light

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch a movie in a home theater or media room, you want the room on the darker side.  You may want to start with shades that block all outside light.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades can effectively block out the sun. And as the shades cover the full window, you can make the room as black as you want, so you can create a nice movie theater feeling.

However, while the right shade will make your room completely dark, they may not do a great job at directing light.  If you need the opportunity to direct light in addition to blacking out the sun, you should try plantation shutters. Shutters can completely block out outside light when they are closed. However, sometimes you might want some outside light, so the space doesn’t seem so claustrophobic. With these window treatments, you can adjust how the light shines in, so every TV watching experience isn’t always in darkness.  

Your Window Treatments Should Block Out Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

While making sure your home theater or media room has plenty of darkness is priority number one, don’t overlook the importance of sound.  Outside noise, such as kids playing in the yard or a running lawn mower, can disturb you from your viewing experience. What comes from your television should also be addressed, as dialog and music can become muffled when it reflects off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can keep the room dark, but they can be a bit slim to adequately block out noise.  Blinds can have the same problem as they hang loosely around the sides. Drapes and curtains can muffle outside sound, but might also dampen your show’s sound and prevent you from hearing a true surround-sound experience.  

Plantation shutters, on the other hand, can keep outside noise out and keep inside sound great.  If your neighborhood is mostly reserved, any plantation shutter can fulfill the purpose. But if you happen to be in a community that has more traffic or children, like in a child-friendly area or on a popular street, you may want to use a quality faux wood shutter. No matter what treatment you pick, make sure you set up your surround sound after the treatments are up so that you you get quality sound from your speakers.

The More Uses Of Your Media Room, The More Functional 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 begun to be seen as a second family room.  Used for more than movies, media rooms are also a room for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. Now, you will want a more versatile covering that looks sleek when it’s the room is being used for other purposes.

When a cellular or roman shade is raised, they the roll completely up.  This leaves your windows completely uncovered , letting in 100% sunlight, which may not be the best decision. Plantation shutters let your room be used as a utilitarian space, and not just as a home theater. And since you can open or close shutters to a variable amount of light, you can set aside a corner table where friends may want to talk or read. Others can then not be disturbed on the movie area catching the double feature .

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

If your home theater or media room doesn’t have many outside windows, then you may want to opt for a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you use a general use media room, then plantation shutters are the way to go. Either way, your Sunburst representative can show you all your options.  Call 512-549-6077 so you can schedule your in-home consultation.