So I'm planning my basement finishing / home theatre, and wanted your expert input on location. I had the whole place planned out as of yesterday, then spoke to an interior designer friend of the family, who changed things around a bit (suggestions/changes noted below).

I have an unfinished basement of about 1200sq ft, and have some nice big windows on the south side. I won't go into all the building plan specifics, as they're still undetermined.

I'm not planning on a super-fancy home theatre room, but do want a 7.1 setup with a projector. It's possible to have a TV as well, but I was hoping to stick with a fixed screen setup.

So, that being said, my two options are:

- put the HT at the bottom of the stairs (ROOM 1 - an unwindowed room) and leave the family room by the big windows on the south side as a big play area for my 2 year old daughter (and 2nd kid to come one day). I would eliminate the wall at the bottom of the stairs that goes into that HT room. I should clarify that - that's just a mock up. Right now, there is no wall. That's just the design the woman suggested to close off that room, and keep it as a storage/home gym/workshop room.

- Put the HT in the family room (ROOM 2 - screen on the west wall - the one on the right), and use the room at the bottom of the stairs as a workout room (thus taking my stuff out of the garage and freeing up space there). This would assume blackout drapes for the window and the patio door.

Here's the layout. The room measures are:

1- HT/Workout room: 13'7" W x 16'11" L
2- Family room / HT:: 14'6" x 20' L (but more realistically, would seat at 13'7" away)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/BlaXXXima/IMG_5834Titled-1.jpg



Thoughts, opinions, or suggestions? Thanks!

I'm no expert on the topic but personally I would go with #1. It's not the largest room but I've seen some mighty find theaters done with less space plus there are no windows to deal with ;)

Wow -- that layout resembles mine in a number of ways. I wish I knew who built my house so I could express to him my joy that he put the stairway smack dab in the middle of the basement.... grrrrrrr!

Anyhow, is that to scale and is each box a sq ft? If so, I think I'd go with #2 b/c I'd be worried that #1 is not big enough. Then again, I am a newb at this and still finding my way...

edit: duh, I just saw your dimensions above. Noting that, I'd go with #1 like the above poster said. That seems like a nice size for a ht.

My only concerns with either setting will be speaker placement (sides in the windowed room), rears in Room 1 (in ceiling likely). Otherwise, I'm not sure whether I want a dedicated HT room (my initial thoughts) or having it by the windows for a more relaxed, open room. I'm leaning towards Room 1 myself.

The benefit of Room 2 is a bit better spot to put the equipment.

I would go room 1 also to have a dedicated space. Can you move the door to room 1 toward the south wall and do an equipment rack outside the room against the north wall and theather wall?

One thing I notice though is that the only bathroom downstairs is only accessed through the "nanny suite" unless that room in the kids play room is a bathroom.

I would go room 1 also to have a dedicated space. Can you move the door to room 1 toward the south wall and do an equipment rack outside the room against the north wall and theather wall?

One thing I notice though is that the only bathroom downstairs is only accessed through the "nanny suite" unless that room in the kids play room is a bathroom.

Hey Mike,

If I put the HT in Room 1, that wall wouldn't be there.

I should clarify that - that's just a mock up. Right now, there is no wall. That's just the design the woman suggested to close off that room, and keep it as a storage/home gym/workshop room.

My wife's big on keeping Room 1 as the HT room as well.

RE: The bathroom - you're right - you'd have to go through the room to the can. The workaround for this is that there is a powder room on the main floor that is accessible if need be.

Hey Mike,

If I put the HT in Room 1, that wall wouldn't be there.

I should clarify that - that's just a mock up. Right now, there is no wall. That's just the design the woman suggested to close off that room, and keep it as a storage/home gym/workshop room.

My wife's big on keeping Room 1 as the HT room as well.

RE: The bathroom - you're right - you'd have to go through the room to the can. The workaround for this is that there is a powder room on the main floor that is accessible if need be.


If you make room 1 a dedicated HT room I would definitely put up that wall to the right. You could then move the door closer to the middle of the room and put a small equipment closet against the north wall and new theater wall.