Whether you’re looking to keep warm this winter or are trying to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the point is: We’ve been spending a lot of our time indoors. With that said, why not make our home a place of recreation?
If you’ve got a spare room in the house, we recommend filling it with all of the makings of a perfect night in: a flatscreen TV, your Blu-ray collection, videogaming consoles, a comfy couch, plushy throw pillows—and cheery company to share all of it with.
The last thing to do is to pair a TV and speaker setup in addition to any videogaming systems, but what about the furnishings? This is where we come in. From theater-quality seating to gallery-worthy wall décor, Colder’s has the accessories you need to set up an entertainment space you’ll never want to retire.
Finding the Right Space
To start, we recommend creating a room mockup on a piece of paper before furnishing your entertainment space. This is basically a rough sketch of your room’s layout that is meant to denote the height and width of each wall, placement of windows, in addition to the positioning and dimensions of features that are unique to your space, including built-in fireplaces, archways, and partial walls.
This step will help you visualize possibilities and prevent purchases that aren’t compatible with your space (maybe you won’t have room for that pool table and five-piece sectional, after all). After you devise your room mockup, you should assess your entertainment needs, whether you’re hoping to use the room to play video games or host movie marathons, among other fun activities.
For an in-depth guide to measuring for furniture, check out our most recent blog and our handy Measuring Guide.
Picking the Right Seating
An entertainment room is part and parcel with unwinding by indulging in our tried-and-true pastimes. No doubt, your gaming room slash home theater will need a seat or two. Depending on the size of your space, you can station a sofa, loveseat, recliner, accent chair, or sectional—or an assortment of these—around the TV and near any table surfaces, namely coffee tables and end tables.
Among our top furniture brands, Home Stretch and Southern Motion offer hand-constructed seating that can be customized to reflect your taste and needs. Along with recliners, loveseats, and sofas, Home Stretch also manufactures reclining sectional sofa sets with USB charging stations, cup holders, and hidden storage. Southern Motion’s own sprawling reclining sofas even feature power headrests and patented massage and heating capabilities for the ultimate R&R experience at home.
For theater seating, look no further than Palliser. From LED cup holders to wireless bass shakers to full recline support, Palliser’s line of high-quality theater seats will make you reminisce about the good old days spent at the downtown cineplex.
In terms of positioning your seating, we recommend taking viewing distance into account. The question is, how far is your seating area relative to your TV? Special consideration of viewing distance will not only spare your eyesight in the long run, but it will also optimize your cinematic experience, especially if your TV’s resolution is 4K Ultra HD or 8K Ultra HD.
To that end, here are a few recommended viewing distances as they relate to popular 4K TV screen sizes:
- With a 55-inch 4K TV, your seating should be between 4.5 and 7 feet away.
- With a 65-inch 4K TV, your seating should be between 5.5 and 8 feet away.
- With a 75-inch 4K TV, your seating should be between 6 and 7.5 feet away.
- With an 85-inch 4K TV, your seating should be between 7 and 10.5 feet away.
Pro tip: If you like to host overnight guests, you can opt for a futon so that your entertainment space doubles as a guest room.
Entertainment Centers, TV Stands, and Media Consoles
When it comes to media furniture to house your TV, there are many options to choose from, whether you prefer the look of a TV stand with minimal shelves or require a tall entertainment center with generous storage options for memorabilia and other items.
If you’ve got a wall-mounted TV but still want concealed storage for your Blu-ray collection and video games, a media chest will fulfill this desire. Alternatively, a media console is a great middle-of-the-road option if you prefer to display your collection, along with knickknacks, framed photos, and gaming systems, thanks to windowed storage cabinets and/or shelves.
Décor and Extras
Now that we’ve covered the essential furnishings, it’s time we cover the small details that leave a big impact. At Colder’s, we firmly believe nothing beats a personal touch, which is why we recommend outfitting your space with home décor that evokes comfort—whether that means hanging up family photos, draping soft throws over your seating, cozying your couches with an accent pillow or two, adding warm lighting, and more.
Wall art in the form of prints, paintings, banners, memorabilia, and personal photos not only make your blank walls more interesting, but they will make you feel at ease as soon as you enter the room. Stick to a theme or don’t—your options for décor are boundless.
Pro tip: To keep a clean-looking space, hide any wires and cables that are dangling from your wall-mounted TV, as these may take away from a modern aesthetic.
Let Us Help You
Shop our digital catalog for all of your furniture needs. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or visit our friendly staff at Colder’s. More available than ever, our experts can also be reached via chat!