Articles and whitepapers

Home Theatre Seating (3/7/2006)

By Kevin Hellemans, CINEAK

The creation of a home theatre is like building a small palace within the home. Its design involves many factors, such as technical components, screen width, decorative materials, etc. While the aesthetics of a home theatre and the quality of the equipment used are very important, what ultimately makes the experience most enjoyable over the many hours spent in there, is the seating.

Design considerations

Designing a home theatre is like solving a sudoku puzzle. Everything must fit into a defined space, while perfectly integrating with each other. For example, when choosing a 3m wide screen, one should take into consideration the quality and throw distance of the projector.

The distance between the screen and the first row of seating is also important and should not create that 'having to sit in the front row when arriving late at the cinema' feel. The home theatre seating supplier will be able to advise on the process of designing and placing the chairs within the given room in order to get maximum enjoyment. Neither should the room be overcrowded with chairs, and there should be sufficient space so that recliners can be used comfortably.

A custom-built home theatre in which the seats blend into the overall design

Choosing the chair

The home theatre seating market is a specialist one, and while each manufacturer has its own designs, the flexibility and quality on offer will vary. The Cineak Fortuny Deluxe chair for example, is designed to blend aesthetics with comfort and luxury. It starts at Û2800, has a dual motorised reclining mechanism with seamless integrated control buttons, is upholstered in grade 2 leather, with a maple wood veneer finish, and comes in different materials and colours to match the interior of the home cinema.

The Cineak Fortuny Deluxe Chair

Of course, a real home theatre chair has to be adjustable, and there are two main types of mechanism used, namely reclining or inclining. Recliners tilt using either a manual or motorised mechanism, and look up to the screen. The footrest slides forward as the chair tilts further back. Incliners, on the other hand, tilt back slightly and slide the seating part of the chair a little forward. While reclining chairs generally look better and offer greater comfort, the incliner solution takes less space. Some incliners can even be placed against the back wall, thus making full use of the room.

An articulating headrest, found on most recliners, increases the comfort level of the chair by giving extra neck support while in the reclined position. It also helps to ensure a perfect viewing position. When choosing the chair, check whether the reclining mechanism is made of wood or a steel frame. A wooden frame is more fragile and can suffer from problems after time, especially when reclining, whereas a steel frame will ensure smooth operation for many years, despite the kids jumping all over it! Also check how easy the mechanism is to operate. Does it have built-in buttons and/or a remote control for example?

Comfort

Although a chair may have a comfy look, it is the quality and firmness of the foam used that will determine the performance of the chair for years to come. The design should provide the user with right kind of support, and additional options, such as cup holders, consoles, heating and massage systems, can add to the comfort level of a seat.

Make sure that the systems used are quiet and will not cause a disturbance while the movie is playing. If the system is being controlled with a touchscreen, a good solution is to have the console between two chairs, where it can also serve as a holder of drinks and popcorn.

Console placed between two chairs where it can hold a touchpanel and drinks

Configurations

The first rules of home theatre seating configuration are: don't overcrowd the room with too many chairs, and don't forget aisle space. Look for a supplier who can offer flexibility in terms of seating configurations for any room. Stand alone chairs, straight or curved rows and love seats are all available and can be combined to guarantee the ultimate enjoyment of movies or sport events.

The front row typically comprises ganged chairs with a console to allow for maximum comfort. For the back rows, a combination of ganged seats and love seats is a popular choice. It increases the number of seats available, while also creating more space for family and friends.

Curved front row with love seats behind

Conclusion

Home theatre is all about relaxing while enjoying a movie or show. Seating is a crucial part of that experience, and should considered in the design from the outset. There are many factors to take into account - not least of which are whether the first row blocks the view of the row behind, or whether the chairs chosen will indeed fit through the door! A good supplier should be able to advise on all of these issues, as well as on seating configurations, type of upholstery, etc.

For the best results, work with a qualified installer - preferably with someone who represents a home theatre seating brand, and who is able to provide the opportunity to try out the chairs.

Finally, don't skimp on budget and don't forget about aesthetics. Home theatre seating should be as comfortable as possible and should be considered as a long-term investment, but there's no reason it cannot look good too!

Kevin Hellemans is the Managing Director of CINEAK, manufacturer of luxury theatre seating.

www.cineak.com