Are you looking to change your old garage into a new hangout space? This room traditionally reserved for cars and storage can become anything you want—even a private movie theater and entertainment center.
Here’s how to transform your garage into a new state-of-the-art cinema.
Prep Work
When it comes to overhauling your garage, you should start from scratch. Empty all the clutter, from your vehicles to the last tool, and start cleaning. Concrete garages gather a lot of dust and grease spots. Vacuum first, then scrub the floors with warm water and a concrete floor detergent until everything looks spotless.
You want your private theater to emulate a real cinema, so soundproofing is the next essential step. Thankfully, garages often have thick walls and no windows, so this process is easier than you might expect. Here are the tools you need:
- Caulk gun
- Screw gun
- Taping knife
- Tin snips
- Utility knife
- Mask and protective eyewear
Garages have hard surfaces that reflect and amplify sound waves, so you need to cover them with soft materials that absorb noise. Follow these steps to soundproof your garage:
- Install wall insulation if the garage doesn’t have any. Sprayfoam is the easiest option for a DIY project.
- Add insulation panels to the garage door to block light and keep sound in.
- Attach acoustic foam panels to the walls and ceiling.
- Cover the floor with rubber mats or a thick carpet.
- Shield any windows and doors with acoustic blankets.
Cleaning and soundproofing are the only necessary prep work elements your garage needs. Now we can focus on the good stuff.
Lighting
Make sure you pick seating that will be comfortable when you’re finished.
Actual movie theaters have unique lighting systems. Tiny fixtures line the walkways and direct people to their seats, while dim overhead lights keep the rest of the room relatively dark to enhance the viewing experience. These are the best ways to emulate this environment as close as possible.
- Rope lighting: You can line the ceiling, floor and walls with these LED fixtures and change the colors with a remote control.
- Smart mood lighting: Smart mood lamps and bulbs are light sources with pleasing colors and brightness levels. They can help establish a relaxing atmosphere in your private theater.
- Recessed lighting: These light fixtures get their names because they sit inside walls and ceilings, creating low but satisfying illumination.
- Ceiling projectors: These devices sit on the floor, casting light patterns and images onto the ceiling.
- Wall sconces: Rather than sitting inside the wall or ceiling, sconces protrude from the wall and have a wider variety of designs. Lining your walls with rustic versions will make your theater look extra classy.
You can illuminate your garage however you want with these lighting options at your disposal. Opt for a fancier design with smart mood lighting and wall sconces, or replicate a traditional movie theater with rope and recessed lights. It’s all up to you!
Sound
Next, you need to address the sound. If you want to create a similar experience to a real theater, get a 5.1 surround sound system with the following parts:
- Two front speakers
- Two surround speakers
- Center channel
- Subwoofer
A 5.1 system is small enough to fit comfortably inside your garage but powerful enough to create the sounds and vibrations a movie theater needs. Remember to set the speakers in their proper locations to maximize the system’s effects.
Display
Photo credit: Shutterstock.
You can add the main display after the proper lighting and sound is in place. Every theater needs an extra-large screen, so you should only consider these two options:
- Flat Screen TV: Buy a flat screen LCD television at least 85 inches in length.
- Overhead projector: This monitor fixed to a permanent frame projects images onto a large theater screen. The display is bigger than most TVs, so only get this option if you’re sure you have enough space.
Make sure you put the screen on a wall that enables viewers to watch from a 30-degree angle at the minimum. People should be able to sit comfortably without craning their necks.
Furniture
The furniture is the last element you should add to your home theater. Look for comfortable couches and armchairs with these features:
- Power recline
- Cupholders
- USB ports
- Motorized headrests
Fabric is another factor to consider. You can get leather seating if you want a luxurious home theater that’s easy to clean, but it isn’t the best material to sit on for long periods. Soft microfiber chairs are more difficult to clean but also more comfortable. Go with your preference, and make sure to use matching upholstery and colors.
Give Your Home New Life
A private theater is a perfect home improvement project if you don’t use your garage. It forces you to remove all the clutter you’ve been ignoring and gives your home new life.
Remember to address each step — prep work, light, sound, display and furniture — before moving on to the next one. This will enable you to stay organized and create a personal home theater experience in no time.
