Media rooms and home theater rooms are becoming more and more popular these days. This may be a result of the recent pandemic, or the fact that the prices for media room components have come down from the stratosphere and are now affordable on almost any budget. And just because you may live in a tiny home or have a small space doesn’t mean you have to do without this popular feature. Being a minimalist doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy that big screen experience in your tiny space. Sacrificing square footage doesn’t mean sacrificing style.
by Krystin Krebs Interiors
Media Room Location
As they say in real estate, “Location, location, location”. Because space is at a premium in a tiny home or room, one of the first decisions you need to make is where to locate your media room components. It will be important to be able to control both light and sound and to be able to “tuck away” the required components when they are not being used. It is not uncommon these days for tiny houses to have a second bedroom. If your home has this extra space, it can be designed for multipurpose, a media room that can be converted back into a bedroom when needed.
Audio-Video and Electronic Components
The first important consideration will be TV or projection screen size. You will not always want to be forced to sit in the “front row” craning your neck, or to need a good pair of binoculars to enjoy the show. Space availability will determine the sizes you can use, as well as the number and location of any speakers. While a wall-mounted TV may work, a retractable projection screen may make the conversion back into a bedroom more feasible.
If you decide to go the projector route, consider purchasing what is called a short or ultra short throw laser projector. These types of projectors can be placed on a low table only 18-24 inches in front of the screen, as opposed to a regular projector that requires 12-18 feet of distance from the screen. Using a standard projector in the typical tiny house may mean locating the projector out in the yard.
Instead of having four or five speakers located around the space, consider using a sound bar for your audio. They are not as great as true surround sound speakers but they occupy much less space. They install easily and require minimal wires. Sound bars will not create true surround sound, but they perform better in the smaller rooms that you will be placing them in. And some of the newer models come equipped with their own wireless subwoofer.
The last component, although an important one, that you need for your small-space media room is an A/V receiver. There are compact A/V receivers that are great for all forms of media, from streaming TV shows, movies, or music, and that will fit nicely into a small space. These compact models lack none of the features found in their larger relatives.
Small Space Media Room Furniture
Available space is naturally limited, so furniture options must be taken into account. You will still need comfortable seating so a love seat that can be converted into a bed is one great option. Of course you will need someplace to set snacks and drinks, a small end table or two will fill the bill. And then you will need that low table in front of the screen for your short throw projector to sit on, if you decide to go the laser projector route.
If you would like help in setting up your small-space media room, we are here to help. At Kystin Krebs Interiors, we specialize in designing small spaces that are both beautiful and functional.