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Designing your home cinema lighting

Home cinema lighting

When you’re dreaming up your new home cinema, it’s easy to get swept away with the technical details: which sound system to use, where your speakers will be placed, which brand to pick for your projector and screen… But the smaller details of your space are important too – in particular the lighting. Carefully placed illumination can make the whole atmosphere of your home cinema, enhancing the overall experience. Here are some lighting options to consider when you’re discussing ideas with your home cinema installer.

Downlighting

Downlighting is a classic option that is popular for its soft, glare-free effect. Spotlights are the most common sources of downlighting in a home cinema, and can come in square or round shapes as well as a variety of colour temperatures. They’re easy to dim or brighten manually, and can also be integrated into your home automation system for extra convenience when your movie starts.

LED strips

LED strips can add an element of fun and playfulness to your home cinema, since they come in a range of colours and can be used to create different atmospheres. They’re also a practical option if, for example, you have steps down to a home cinema located in the basement. LED strips can also be placed on the back of the TV if you opt for one instead of a projector screen. This creates a halo effect and reduces strain on the eyes.

Cove lighting

LED strips can be used to amazing effect with cove lighting. A highly sophisticated look can be achieved by using existing coving or installing new coving just below the level of the ceiling. The lighting is then placed on the upper side of the coving, bringing increased ambient lighting to the space without creating glare or negatively impacting your viewing experience.

Sconces

If you love the vintage feel of retro cinemas and want to recreate something similar in your home, we recommend the use of sconce uplighters. These shine the light up against the wall, producing no outward glow and delivering a soft effect. They’re easy to integrate into your home automation system too and can be programmed to dim once the movie starts.

Integrating your smart lighting

For the ultimate convenience, consider integrating your lighting into your home automation system. This enables you to create ‘scenes’ that can meet your varying needs. For instance, you can program one scene for before the movie starts, with the lighting up and ambient music playing. Then when you’ve selected a film, another scene can dim the lights, set the perfect ambient temperature, and activate your screen masking for the most immersive experience.

If you’re looking for home cinema installation in Kent, ensure you speak to a specialist before beginning your project, so that you can be sure you’ve considered every element of the design. Professionals can recommend equipment, carry out site surveys and even complete the installation on your behalf, ensuring you have the best quality results.

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