WHEN MOVING HOUSE, setting up the basic necessities during the first few weeks often takes priority. 

However, once the kitchen is pretty much in working order and you’ve somewhere to rest your head, it can be exciting to plan the more fun elements of your new place – like a movie den. 

Whether you’ve a list of new films to watch or you regularly tune into old favourites with the family, having a carefully thought out space for movie night can make all the difference to the experience.

So, what’s the best way to go about creating an area that’ll rival even the nicest cinema screens? We spoke to an interior designer and a tech expert to find out.

Create a dedicated space (if you can)

For interior designer Caroline Flannery (@interiorsbycaroline), the spare room, if you have one, is the ideal space to set up a movie den. “It’s a real luxury to have a spare room, so you could decorate it in such a way that it functions both as a movie room and as a spare room,” she says.

“If you have a modular seating arrangement, you can put it together as a sofa and as a bed for when guests come to stay. This way, you’ll likely get the use out of the room every weekend, rather than when guests come to stay once in a blue moon.” 

Shutterstock / New Africa Shutterstock / New Africa / New Africa

Opt for dark colours and soft fabrics

Colours and fabrics are hugely important when it comes to creating a movie den, says Caroline. “I’d recommend doing the ceiling and the walls in really dark inky colours, even black, and opting for big heavy velvet drapes on the windows to block out the light.” 

To keep other members of the household happy if they’re not joining in on movie night, Caroline recommends hanging a heavy curtain by the door as a means of sound insulation. “The heavier the better. Look for lined, heavy drapes. They’ll block out the light, help with sound and create a lovely cosy vibe.”

Create an atmosphere with clever lighting

To get the true cinema experience, Caroline advises paying great attention to your lighting setup. “If you can get rid of the overhead light and have low level lighting or wall lighting, that’d be ideal. If you don’t want to go to the whole expense of a whole new lighting plan, I’d look at at least getting a dimmer switch in so you can adjust the lighting when you’re using the room as a movie den or for guests.”

Pay attention to all of the senses

If you want to really take your movie den to the next level, making it a true sensory experience can do just the job. “You could add a popcorn machine or a candyfloss machine. When all of the lights are off, they’ll appeal to the senses and it will really enhance the experience.”

Be smart with the screen size

Lastly, in terms of decoration, Caroline emphasises the importance of having the correct screen size for the space. To do this, she recommends figuring out who’s going to sit where and looking at how far back from the screen you need to be. “That will tell you what size screen to go for,” she says. 

Shutterstock / Impact Photography Shutterstock / Impact Photography / Impact Photography

Use a projector to create a home cinema 

If you really want to achieve the at-home cinema experience, a projector could be a worthy investment says Dean Lavin, Managing Director of Gadget Man Ltd. “Projectors are really popular at the moment,” says Dean. “All you’ve to do is point it at a blank wall or put up a white sheet and you’re good to go. Once it’s in the dark, you’re fine.”

Plus, you can find all of the main streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ on Sky Q, meaning you’ll never be short of things to watch.

Optimise your internet connection

Whatever your movie setup, having a fast internet connection allows everything to run smoothly. With Sky’s Ultrafast Broadband, you can get your fast and reliable connection setup as soon as you move in – and avail of exclusive offers available for new home buyers and movers. 

Upgrade your sound system 

Lastly, a great sound system is the final ingredient for creating the ultimate movie-night den. You don’t have to worry about setting up a complicated surround sound system, though, says Dean. “A sound bar which sits in front of the TV can enhance the whole depth of sound and give 360 degree sound throughout the room.”

Once that’s all done, it’s time to kick back and relax – and tackle the task of trying to decide on a movie everyone in the family wants to watch.  

Tick one big thing off your list before you move in with Sky’s exclusive new home offers and get your Sky Q TV and Ultrafast Broadband setup for your move in day. Find out more here. Terms and conditions apply.