In New York, the average movie ticket is an astonishing $23.10, which—other than destroying the love lives of high school sophomores trying to take anyone out on their dad’s crisp $20—means it’s deplorably expensive to enjoy a live theater experience. And with everything from the AC blasting to stiff seating, a theater doesn’t always offer an inviting ambience. To tailor the movie-viewing experience to fit your taste, we tapped interior design experts Summer Thornton and Ryan Saghian of the AD PRO Directory for home theater ideas that are cozy and curated.
Here, we talk about all the foundational elements: how to approach DIY home theater design, the necessity of surround sound, blackout curtains, and projector recommendations. Plus, we explore what sort of remodeling will make your room redesign feel authentic—from a basement to a living room fit for a proper cinematic experience. We keep our picks elevated—think less “game room” and more cinematic glamour—to ensure your at-home theater doesn’t feel cheesy, but considered, and most importantly, comfortable.
Lighting is everything
Thornton achieves a moody theater with “dark and layered fabrics—lots of velvets, wools, and mohairs,” but mentions that “lighting is everything—there’s nothing worse than an overlay room. Dimmable lights are a must.” Sculptural sconces, recessed LEDs, and even backlit panels help set the mood and allow for layering light.
“I’ll often use dark, tactile materials like moody velvet drapery, suede wallpaper, or even matte limewash finishes to absorb sound and light,” says Saghian. Blackout curtains especially come in handy if you’re working with a family room or well-lit media room. Many come in flax or linen varieties that look nothing like the dark velvet drapes you’d expect, meaning your room design doesn’t have to be totally movie-room-dedicated—it can look light and airy in the daytime but pivot to a proper cinema whenever you’d like.
Select sculptural seating
The seating defines the mood of the space—and these need to be as comfy as possible to enjoy your at-home big screen cramp-free. For individual seating, Saghian says to consider low-profile recliners, but “something sleek, not bulky. Pottery Barn and RH actually have some great motion recliners that don’t scream ‘cheesy theater seating.’ They’re comfortable, functional, and still feel elevated.” Thornton concurs, though she prefers “comfortable sofas or a collection of love seats over individual recliners.”
Fabrics like velvet and suede create a sexy, design-conscious setting for your home cinema, and velvet gives a smart nod to classic theater seating for cinema purists (some extra dough could get you stadium seating, just saying). If you’re looking to make more of a statement, Saighan suggests a modular silhouette. “I love modular seating, like the Ensemble Dune by Pierre Paulin, because it’s sculptural and flexible,” he says. Lastly, Saighan says, “Layering in ottomans or poufs also helps create a relaxed, informal atmosphere while still keeping things chic.”
Get technical
Don’t skimp on a surround sound system; this is an item worth investing in. While we can vouch for the Sonos Immersive Set, Saghian prefers invisible speakers, like this in-ceiling set or these in-wall speakers, as they “disappear visually but deliver rich, room-filling sound. They let you focus on the furnishings and finishes while still giving a top-tier audio experience.” A Bose is a quality, budget-friendly speaker system brand, and a subwoofer (like this top-rated option on Amazon) creates a heavy bass so you can enjoy the rattling kind of bass we associate with movie theater speakers. If you’re looking to splurge, do a little deep dive on soundproofing your space.
Real sound nerds might be familiar with the Dolby Atmos method, which adds the third dimension of height to your sound experience. Dolby Atmos incorporates overhead or upward-firing speakers that fully immerse you in the sound experience. Maybe that’s another article altogether, but you can cheat your way into some version of it with several synchronized speakers at different heights. Saghian prefers the Control4 system to manage everything from projector and screen automation to lighting and sound. “It’s about creating a frictionless experience: The fewer remotes or apps, the better.” He also favors this $20k Sony model for a projector, but I’m here to tell you this XGIMI Halo+ works spectacularly in my New York apartment, if you’re on a budget. For an even more affordable option, this one from Amazon is under $50 and backed by positive customer reviews.
Add cozy finishing touches
Last but not least, a plush blanket takes your home theater setup from good to great. With the lights low, settled far back in your recliner, and a cashmere throw across your lap, you’ll be prepared for a movie-watching experience in your own home that rivals a proper movie theater. Thornton recommends plush ottomans for cozy footrests. Plus, they afford an additional warmth to the space, which can feel particularly inviting for basement home theaters.
“I’ve also added vintage film posters in chic frames or created a niche setup with collectible books and objects related to cinema,” says Saghian. “It’s about making the space feel transportive but still personal.”