The Proper Home Theater Lighting
Lighting for any room is not the same in all circumstances. Certain functions for certain rooms require different kinds of lighting and different kinds of lighting equipment and technique. Your home theater lighting is under this same idea that specific rooms require a specific kind of lighting to not only be effective but to be functional as well. When you map out your home theater lighting you should have a theme in mind that will help guide you. Are you going for a theater look or are you trying to put in home theater lighting that is effective as theater lighting but also works as home lighting as well? These things would all go into the planning process of your home theater lighting.
Make It Like A Theater
Lighting in commercial movie theaters has very specific purposes and is very functional. The lighting in the lobby is done for effect but the lighting within the theater is done for purpose and based on the needs of the theater crowd. You can use the same ideas they use in a regular theater for your home theater lighting and get the same effect. The lights over the doors need to be aimed straight down at the door and the brightest in the room but still not nearly as bright as standard room lighting. When you are entering a theater the lighting before the show is used to help your eyes get used to the outside bright lights so that they can turn the lights off for the movie without you going temporarily blind. So the lights throughout the theater before and after the movie are very soft and never bright. You can use these effects in your home theater lighting.
Make It Like Home
Depending on what you want to use your home theater for you will need certain types of controls for your lights. I would recommend installing recessed lighting throughout the room and then putting all home theater lighting on dimmers so that you can either leave the lights on or adjust them to the level you want. No matter what effect you are going for always make sure there are runner lights in the areas where people will need to be walking so no one gets hurt and everyone can find their way out of the room in case something happens. It may be your home theater lighting but no matter what you do remember that your family is involved so it is always safety first.
