Movie room ideas – 9 ways to indulge in the perfect movie night with loved ones

A movie room is an ultimate luxury. However, gone are the days of dull or dated cinema-style lounges or unsightly black boxes squeezed into corners of family or living rooms. These days, movie room ideas are all about luxury, comfort, and style, and yes, it is possible to combine all these decadent qualities into one space. 

There is no need to sacrifice style when designing an entertainment center for the whole family to enjoy. There are many versatile TV stand ideas and designs out there to choose from that can best integrate into your home and work alongside your existing living room TV ideas or within a new space entirely.

Movie room ideas

We've curated a selection of beautiful solutions to create a movie room scheme that you can be proud of, whether that be alongside existing family room TV ideas, or as a standalone space that rivals even the best movie theaters.

1. Use LED lighting for a subtle glow

‘A dedicated movie room is a really fun space for the family,' says Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish. 'Lighting is key and this intelligent lighting system with dimmable LED around the ceiling and additional lower-level wall lights, gives great flexibility, offering different ambiances as required. 

'Storage is equally as important and built-in bespoke units with plenty of space will ensure the movie room remains clutter-free with all cabling and wiring concealed from view, ensuring the focus is solely on enjoying the movie. For the ultimate comfort, why not opt for a larger style sectional with a few throws and cushions for an additional layer of coziness.'

2. Indulge in the ultimate seating experience

'When it comes to the future of home cinema, these luxurious recliners are complemented by the multi-purpose media consoles,' say the KING Living Design Studio.

'Sitting between two King Cloud V sofa modules, the media consoles are able to store subwoofers and other devices. Accompanying the visuals and premium comfort, sound can be both heard and felt through the seating, providing a multidimensional home theatre experience.'

3. Create a cozy space with dark walls 

'Perfect for family nights-in, a movie room needs to be a warm and inviting space that embodies coziness and relaxation,' says Ann Marie Cousins, interior design and founder of AMC Design. 'Dark colors paired with dark walls are a great way to make a room feel cozy, plus the dark walls can seamlessly hide the TV for when you want to relax with a book instead, for example.'

'Although a smaller movie room, opt for a large, oversized sectional which offers generous seating for family and friends, that is comfortable enough to spend hours on at a time. Don’t forget good black-out blinds or curtains for added atmosphere.'

4. Cocoon yourself in tactile textures and pattern

This cinema room in Aspen was created as a place for the family to enjoy time together, a chance to wrap the room in a cocoon of cozy inviting textures and to create an incredibly indulgent and relaxing space.'

'The custom Todd Merrill Studio couch was upholstered in an emerald velvet by Dedar that plays off the carpet from The Rug Company,' says Samantha Todhunter, founder and creative director of Samantha Todhunter Design. 'The artwork is by Ian Ross.'

5. Match your movie room to your existing interior style 

Combining two decorating styles means that you need to pay attention to decorative details. 'I wanted this theater to feel fun yet luxurious. Shades of dark blue make the room feel lush and meld with the rest of the home's decor,' says Brittany Farinas, CEO and creative director of House of One Interior Design.

6. Use movie theater-style seating 

The focal point of every space, these movie room seating will provide a comfortable retreat for weary feet, and an indulgent vantage point for television viewing pleasure, so it is vital to find the perfect seating for the space.

'Make sure you arrange your chairs at a slight angle to create a sense of depth in the room, as shown here, otherwise if you place all seating against the walls you might end up with a narrow 'bowling alley' look,' says Mel Bean, lead interior designer at Mel Bean Interiors.

7. Opt for an Art Deco inspired theme 

'We love seeing our Divine Savages Crane Fonda wallpaper in charcoal in Arianna Danielson's home cinema. She wanted something luxurious and a little extravagant with an overarching Art Deco vibe.'

'With her black sofas and dark, moody walls our monochrome wallpaper offers a stylish and playful contrast to the lower half of the walls making the room equally as good-looking when the lights are on, adding the perfect touch of Art Deco to her cinema space,' says Jamie Watkins, co-founder of Divine Savages.

8. Adapt the space you have

'This open plan living area has sunken space that can be used for everyday relaxation, however, there's also a projector attached to the ceiling which means it can be turned into a fabulous movie room when its dark – a great interior design trick to consider if you don't have the space for dedicated movie room,' says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens.

9. Make your TV part of the design

'Cinema and media rooms are becoming more and more popular in design projects, with them being spaces where clients can come together with loved ones to watch their favorite box sets or movies,' says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director of Kelling Designs. 'Whereas before, TVs would often be concealed, now they are becoming a part of the design plan with modern designs being works of art in their own right – some even have the option to display art or family photos when not in use.'

'We've found that any size of TV goes, so long as the space is available and in cinema rooms, we tend to install anything from 75in to 90in. It's all about dedicating a wall to the TV or a projector if you have space and then including really comfortable seating. We're seeing clients opt for really deep, comfortable sofas and armchairs over the cinema-style seating to create a more stylized, relaxed look that will seat the whole family.'