HT in basement... go big and have columns in way, or stay small?

[Valkyr47]

the way my basement is constructed makes it hard to figure out how to build a dedicated HT room. If i wanted to stay REALLY small i could fit it into the space of approx. 11'x15'

That seems REALLY small though and not enough for wanting to seat 4-6 people comfortably

Or i could go larger on that side of the basement and get the usable area up to 15'x20' which seems like enough, but then i have these 2 load bearing posts coming down right in the middle.

here's a few pics to give you an idea:

1 - this is of the wall that would be completed along the stairs. Right now there is a 3' opening on both left and right at bottom of stairs, but i would finish this wall to the exterior basement wall which would give me the 11' for possibly the screen?


2 - this is the load bearing wall with colums, i would simply box columns inside the interior wall, and the length of this wall would be 15'8"


3 - this is simply the continuation of the 15'8" wall, where it would meet foundation wall


this would allow for a nice clean rectangle room of 11'x15, no obstructions, but it would obviously be very small. If you think this could work, what size screen would be best for that 11' wall, and what kind of seating choices do i have?

ok so heres option 2, in this case, that same wall that would have been only 11' will now be built all the way to the exterior foundation wall on the north side of the house, reaching a total of just over 24'


now heres that same image showing that wall, plus i would box in the columns to cover them, and possibly use the opportunity to place some small wall sconces on them for lighting


these two columns are the ones that would be in the middle of the room:


then the new wall for the projector screen would be on the exterior foundation wall on the south side of house which is the one roughly 15'8" long, so then i could presumably put the seating directly under the load bearing wall that i would box in the columns? if i put the seating there, possibly a large seat or two small ones in between each of the 3 spaces between the columns? as long as they are not BEHIND the columns (when looking at screen, the view wouldnt be obstructed so it would be ok you think?


i know these drawings are horrible but just for an idea of what im looking to do i threw them together in paint

once i choose a layout im planning on designing the plans on 3d using Trimble SketchUp

Any and all recommendations, advice, tips, etc are welcome!
thanks!