Designing a Basement Home Theater on a Budget

Hide the wiring and house the components

A big, low-profile, flat-screen TV is the star player in any home theater. With some built-in cabinetry underneath and on either side of the screen, you'll be able to hide the wiring and house associated components like DVR boxes and DVD players. Although the cabinetry can appear to be built in, make sure you have access to wiring in case repairs and replacements are necessary.

Be bright about light

No, the light doesn't need to be bright in a home theater, but you need to be bright about lighting controls. Put your general or ambient light on a dimmer control so that you can turn the light down while you're watching TV. But make sure you provide task lighting where it counts, so that people can read, eat or use a laptop computer.

Task lighting can often be accomplished with floor or table-mounted lamps. For safety and convenience, make sure to light the stairway or the area around a refrigerator, sink or bathroom door. To save on electricity and keep your theater "green," use low-voltage compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or LED lights.

Options for flooring

It's a safe assumption that people are going to be eating and drinking as they watch TV, so choose finished flooring material that won't be damaged by stains and moisture. Instead of carpeting, consider the ThermalDry® flooring tiles available from Total Basement Finishing.

Though this innovative flooring material looks surprising like real wood or tile, it's more durable, stain resistant, waterproof and easier to clean than the material it imitates.

Keep your space comfortable

Many homeowners overlook the importance of including insulation in a basement finishing project. Without it, your new living space won't be as comfortable as you'd like. Make sure your contractor uses rigid foam insulation rather than fiberglass batts. Old-fashioned batt insulation can collect moisture, encourage mold growth, and lose its insulating value. Rigid foam will never suffer from these ailments. Speaking of comfort, it's a good idea to ask your basement finishing contractor about controlling basement humidity with a dehumidifier.

Go with great seats

This goes without saying. If you've handled all the details explained above, it's time to splurge on some comfortable furniture to maximize your enjoyment of your new home theater.