Ever wondered what makes a home cinema truly special? When we partnered up with Zebra Home Cinema and Virtus Integration, to create an underground cinema room at an outbuilding project over in Ashbourne, we learned it's all about getting the details right.

Come behind the scenes as we share how this project came together.

Working with the Right People

Creating a great home cinema needs more than just buying good equipment. Zebra Home Cinema helped our team with all of the technical bits - like exactly where to place the projector and how to get the best sound quality.

When our clients visited Zebra's showroom, they knew what they wanted: built-in speakers (no visible wires!), a proper fixed screen, and really comfortable cinema seats. Having this clear vision from the start made everything much easier.

Mixing Design Ideas

During the initial design phase, we gave our clients two design options. One was a very modern design, with timber slats and LED lights (see above). The other was more traditional, with red cinema seats and a starry-lit ceiling.

The clients loved bits from both, so we combined them! We came up with a design that utilised the timber slats and LED lighting from the modern design, plus the starry ceiling and red seating from the more traditional one. It worked perfectly!

Walls That Work Hard

Those timber slat walls we mentioned aren't just for looks. They help absorb sound, and making everything sound better. We used special acoustic panels too, so you get great sound without echo.

We actually used the same timber slats upstairs in the office to tie everything together nicely - and they hide the secret basement cinema door, whichis a detail that everyone loves!

Lighting Made Simple

The lighting system throughout this space is really clever. One remote controls everything - lights, temperature, and all the TV/sound equipment. You can go from bright lights to complete darkness without fiddling with different controls.

The Bar Under the Stairs

The space under the precast staircase was the perfect spot for a mini bar. There's a wine fridge tucked in, and shelves for glasses and snacks. The lighting here dims completely so that the glare doesn't affect the screen when you're watching something.

Our clients thought about adding a popcorn machine and jukebox here but decided to keep it simple instead.

Seats You Never Want to Leave

The traditional red reclining cinema chairs from Front Row Seating are seriously comfortable - the perfect spot for long films! There's also space to add beanbags for when friends come over, positioned so everyone gets a good view of the screen!

Getting the Technical Bits Right

While our Powell Design & Construction team handled all of the design and building work for this leisure outbuilding and home cinema project, we of course needed specialists help along the way for all of the other technical elements.

Virtus Integration sorted the sound and vision system. GeoSphere handled the air conditioning and ventilation (keeping it quiet was crucial), and F.P. McCann supplied those precast bespoke concrete stairs.

Here's a fun detail too - Zebra Home Cinema even helped create a special room fragrance for the cinema, bespoke to our clients. It's these small touches that make the space feel extra special.

Key Considerations of a Home Cinema

If you're thinking about a home cinema, here's some things to consider:

• A hidden entrance makes it more fun
• Proper blackout blinds/curtains are essential if you have windows
• Good acoustic treatment makes a huge difference
• Keep controls simple - one remote for everything
• Plan versatile seating for different group sizes
• Include somewhere for drinks and snacks
• Get the temperature control right

It's fair to say that our clients love their new cinema room. They say it feels like a proper escape from everyday life. When we asked if they'd change anything, they couldn't think of a single thing!

Thinking About Your Own Home Cinema?

Building a home cinema takes a lot of planning and the right team. Whether you're converting a room or starting from scratch, getting everyone involved early makes all the difference.

At Powell Design & Construction, we love creating these types of special spaces. We work with partners like Zebra Home Cinema to make sure everything - from the building work to the technical setup - works perfectly together.

Want to chat about creating your own cinema space? Get in touch and let's talk about what's possible.

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