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

April 17, 2019

For many people in Clearwater, the home theater or media room is more than a niche, but one of the most used rooms in the house.  You place your furniture just right so each seat can see the oversized 4K screen TV without any obstruction.  The surround sound speaker system covers you in cinematic scores and exciting sound effects. Now, you need to cover your windows with the most functional window treatments for your home theater or media room experience.

Your TV room may also be used as a family room, but you still want to get the most from your TV.  Nevertheless, you need a covering that will totally black out the room, so that you don’t see glare on your screen. It’s also nice if your window treatments could muffle outside sound.  And it probably would be wonderful for you to find a covering that shows some 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 Treatments Should Keep The Room Pitch Black

Shutters in Theater Room

When you watch TV in a home theater or media room, you want the room as dark as possible.  The obvious choice are shades that shut out the outside world.  Opaque cellular shades, roller shades or Roman shades will keep the room dark. And by using fabric or sold colors, you can have the room as black as you want, so you can make that authentic movie theater feel.

However, while different shades will black out a room, they don’t direct sunlight around the room.  If you wish to have the opportunity to direct light also, you should consider plantation shutters. Shutters will be able to adequately darken the room when you shut the louvers. But there are times you might need some sunlight, so the room doesn’t seem so stuffy. With shutters, you can let just a bit of light in, while still ensuring that you can view the television screen without a glare.  

Your Window Treatments Should Block Out Sound

Shutters in a living room with a tv

Your window coverings should block out light, but don’t underestimate the significance of sound.  Outside noise, such as kids playing in the yard or a passing car, can divert you from your viewing experience. Music and dialog from your television should also be addressed, as your program’s sound can become distorted when it bounces off your window’s glass panes.

Cellular shades can make the room dark, but they usually are too delicate to adequately hinder outside commotion. Mail-order and store-bought blinds can have the same problem as they are open around the sides. But you can have great coverage with well-measured, custom-fit faux-wood blinds and hardwood blinds when properly installed by a Drapes and curtains might block outside noise, but might also muffle dialog from your TV and hinder you from hearing a true surround-sound experience.  

Plantation shutters, as designed, stop outside sound and keep inside sound great.  If your neighborhood is mostly reserved, any plantation shutter probably will fulfill the purpose. Then again if you happen to be in a neighborhood that has more traffic or children, like near a school or on a popular street, you may want to use a denser faux wood shutter. Whatever treatment you decide on, make sure you arrange your sound system after you install window treatments so that you get the most from your speakers.

The More Versatile Your Media Room, The More Practical The Window Treatment

Bedroom with shutters and oar over tv photo courtesy of Kathy at The Daily Nest

As bigger screen televisions become more in fashion, media rooms have started to become a multipurpose room.  No longer confined to movies, media rooms are used for gaming, watching sports, and general entertaining. Now, you will want a functional window treatment that looks great when it’s not in use.

When a cellular or roman shade is raised, they dissapear into the window sill.  This leaves your windows bare enough , like the window treatment doesn’t exist, but won’t help privacy or style. Plantation shutters let your room be used as a utilitarian space, and not only as a space to watch movies. And since you can adjust each one to direct as much light as you want, you can deligate a back area where people may want to visit or do something else. Others can then sit in darkness on the movie area watching the film .

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

If your media room doesn’t have many outside windows, then you may want a cellular, roman or roller shade.  If you prefer multi-use media room, then plantation shutters could be best. Whatever you choose, your Sunburst representative can show you all your options.  Call 813-580-7288 and schedule your in-home consultation.