What's an ideal or respectable size room for HT?

[Wreck]

For a smaller home theater ... what's an ideal room size I should be looking for?

Obviously I'd like it as large as possible but I just dont think thats going to happen ... I'm looking at houses and the easiest solution is looking at 3 or 4 bedroom houses with keeping in mind that one would be a HT ... But I dont want something too small ... I'm just initially looking at houses so telling me to go visit the house is redundant ...

Alot I'm seeing are 11x11 and I figured that's too small ... so what's the smallest but yet can "Get the job done" in your opinions?

16x16 ? ballpark ? .... could 16x11 get it done?

[Driver_King]

Generally, you want to stray away from a perfectly square room. A 16x11 room would be better than a 16x16 enclosed room.

[squirrel101]

A room that is 16x11 would be ideal for 1 row of 3 theater seats and a 110" diagonal AT scope screen

[vega2K]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Generally, you want to stray away from a perfectly square room. A 16x11 room would be better than a 16x16 enclosed room.

If I had a choice, I would actually go for the 16x16 room where I would be able to build a wall to shorten the room to say 16X12, giving you a 4' section for blu-ray storage, recessed equipment rack room, concession stand etc. Not to mention easier cable management!

[Anthony P]

Oh yeah, sorry ... all in all just looking for 2 rows ... 6 recliners ... but if I had to go small ... enough for 3 recliners with obviously floor room for seat rockers or laying or something ...

with two rows and recliners you should try (at least) aroud 18-20' long (i.e. 10' to the headrest of the first row, 5'-6' to the head rest of the next one and then 3-5' to the back of the room. Width (assuming more sofa then HT with aremrests between seats) you could do 11'-12' (i.e. 1' to the side, 8' for the sofa, 2-3' for the coridor)

so absolute min, something like ~11x18 a more realistic min where you are comfortable ~12x20. 11 for length is definitely un realistic for 2 rows. Most seating is 3', so the two seats together will take up 6 of the 11' and let's face it you can't stick the seats together.

[Driver_King]

Originally Posted by vega2K

If I had a choice, I would actually go for the 16x16 room where I would be able to build a wall to shorten the room to say 16X12, giving you a 4' section for blu-ray storage, recessed equipment rack room, concession stand etc. Not to mention easier cable management!

Of course I was talking about ideal situations but when is anything ever truly ideal?

[Wreck]

thx for all the insight guys.

[Pirate King]

When Angel (Wife) and I bought a new home five years ago, I wanted to find one with a bedroom that could be converted into a HT. What we found was a three bedroom home, the master, one very small bedroom and one that was 11 x 15. I wanted a room a little larger, but the price on the home was right, soooooo, I made it work. Knowing what I know now, I would have put in a 100 inch screen with a front projector. I purchased a 70 inch Sony instead (Which I am quite happy with) I have a love seat for me and the Angel, and four movie theater seats on a riser behind the love seat. It is a little crowded, but we can seat six. The PQ and AQ is very good. You can look at pictures by clicking on my HT gallery under my avatar.

I guess what I am trying to say, is that sometimes you cannot have a room as big as you want, but you can make it work. IMHO I would think that you need a minimum of about 15 feet. The wider the room the better, but mine works ok with only 11 feet width.

[Rob71]

Originally Posted by Wreck

For a smaller home theater ... what's an ideal room size I should be looking for?

Obviously I'd like it as large as possible but I just dont think thats going to happen ... I'm looking at houses and the easiest solution is looking at 3 or 4 bedroom houses with keeping in mind that one would be a HT ... But I dont want something too small ... I'm just initially looking at houses so telling me to go visit the house is redundant ...

Alot I'm seeing are 11x11 and I figured that's too small ... so what's the smallest but yet can "Get the job done" in your opinions?

16x16 ? ballpark ? .... could 16x11 get it done?

Hey, mines in an 11x12.



Since your looking at houses, you may want to consider one with a "bonus" room above the garage. Like Driver_King said a rectangular room is better than a square room. And as far as size goes, go with whatever you can afford taking into account the economy.

[Wreck]

I meant alot of floorplans ... There is chance I can get a basement built underground before the house is built and possibility of making that whatever size but it would add more cost as opposed to jsut finding a house in this neighborhood already made

[Anthony P]

1) there is no such thing as ideal or respectable room size, it all depends how many people you want to fit, what kind of seating, size of screen and tech used.

what I mean is
a) HT seats for 3 will be more wide then a sofa and it more wide then a loveseat
b) you want 3' min and preferably 5' or a bit more between the head of the person sitting in the rear most seat and the back wall. (and if they are reclining seats then that would mean in the reclined position) PS, that would also apply to the sides
c) if you have several rows then make sure to leave enough space for people to pass to their seat
d) on a cheap crappy projector the eyes of someone on the first row might be better at 1.5x or 2x the screen width on the other hand with a good projector you might want to be 1x width
.....


2) for audio reasons
- a) there is a door you can close well to make sure the sound does not escape (the last thing you want is "turn it down I am ..."
- b) you want to stay away from rectangles where the wall sizes are relatively the same or close to it(x:x, x:2x, 2x:3x...) 11x11 is a square 10x20would be bad because the length is 2x the width, 12x18 is 2*6 and 3*6, the issue is that they are more likely to create standing waves and null points (i.e. screw up audio because it bounces off the wall in the similar way on all the walls)

[Anthony P]

I meant alot of floorplans ... There is chance I can get a basement built underground before the house is built and possibility of making that whatever size but it would add more cost as opposed to jsut finding a house in this neighborhood already made

if you do go the build your own house and have the $, then make sure all the walls and ceilings are insulated. The money will be extremely well spent.

[Wreck]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

1) there is no such thing as ideal or respectable room size, it all depends how many people you want to fit, what kind of seating, size of screen and tech used.

)

In other words ... whats the smallest room size that can get the job done, respectably? ... thats how I wanted to come off when wording my question

[Beta Man]

Basements are common place here, and I'd assume Indy is no different given the water-table....

Why don't you look for places with either a finished basement, or unfinished, but water-proofed basement? If you find a place that is $30/$40K under your budget, but it has an unfinished basement, just plan on finishing it off yourself, and increasing the value of the home in the process....

My basement would have required FAR TOO MUCH work to finish, since it's a 100 year old home..... but newer construction homes usually are a breeze to finish.... just find one that is "open" then invite the buddies over for some beer and pizza, and throw up insulation, and drywall (sound absorption specific materials though)

Even if you don't mud it yourself, you can save a TON..... If you have dry basement, you can make a REALLY NICE space in no time.... just have to reach out to a few friends who know electrical and general construction

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by Wreck

For a smaller home theater ... what's an ideal room size I should be looking for?

Obviously I'd like it as large as possible but I just dont think thats going to happen ... I'm looking at houses and the easiest solution is looking at 3 or 4 bedroom houses with keeping in mind that one would be a HT ... But I dont want something too small ... I'm just initially looking at houses so telling me to go visit the house is redundant ...

Alot I'm seeing are 11x11 and I figured that's too small ... so what's the smallest but yet can "Get the job done" in your opinions?

16x16 ? ballpark ? .... could 16x11 get it done?

Are you looking at newer or older homes? Would it be possible to find a 3 or 4 bedroom house with an office large enough to use as a home theater room? Many newer home offices today are bedroom sized, but they don't have space taken up by built-in closets. You could then use one of the spare bedrooms as your office, if necessary.

In older homes, you'd more often find a bedroom, basement, or attic space for conversion.

Are you wanting a completely sealed off space from the rest of the house? Personally, I think 11' wide is too narrow, but 16' is a decent length. Before deciding to build 4 years ago, I was looking for either a HT room already completed, or a bonus room or basement to convert to a theater/game room. Conversion of a basement will probably give you the most flexibility for seating and projection, with a large bonus room following second, depending on how open it is.

It's definitely a buyer's market out there, so you can be a bit selective in your decision.

[Anthony P]

In other words ... whats the smallest room size that can get the job done, respectably? ... thats how I wanted to come off when wording my question

Not sure what you mean, but my point is that you need to know and tell us what you want first.

I have seen exceptional HTs built for 2 and exceptional HTs built for 30, obviously if you put 30 people in the HT built for 2 you would be uncomfortable and there is no reason for an HT for 30 if there will always be only 2 of you.

[Wreck]

Oh yeah, sorry ... all in all just looking for 2 rows ... 6 recliners ... but if I had to go small ... enough for 3 recliners with obviously floor room for seat rockers or laying or something ...

I'm looking more so at Model homes ... you pick the floorplan etc ... although most of the floorplans with extra rooms were like 11x11 and 11x14 and stuff ... but I dont have to go with these people ... im in the EARLY stages of buying a house.

Its just that they looked really nice, nice neighborhood, good price and alot of customizations and upgrades u can purchase ... none of the floorplans showed a basement ... However, when visiting the neighborhood I seen some signs saying "Basement available" .. Sure, I need to go talk to these people for more info ... but I kinda wanted an idea of what to look for if ..

1) Got no basement because of extra cost ... then im looking at extra rooms sizes (bedroom converted etc.)
2) If I did get a basement, what size would I want to be requesting.

and as far as all the construction work ... I was lucky enough to marry a latina who's family does nothing but building houses, remodeling and construction ... so that will all be done at cost w/ no labor charges. :-)

[Beta Man]

recliners take up a lot of space..... I'm not suggesting that you go with a different type of seating if that's what you want, but I'm just saying you're going to need a longer room.... I'd say 16' long and up, if you want to have 2 rows of recliners without having the front room basically sitting on top of the screen!

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Wreck

For a smaller home theater ... what's an ideal room size I should be looking for?

Obviously I'd like it as large as possible but I just dont think thats going to happen ... I'm looking at houses and the easiest solution is looking at 3 or 4 bedroom houses with keeping in mind that one would be a HT ... But I dont want something too small ... I'm just initially looking at houses so telling me to go visit the house is redundant ...

Alot I'm seeing are 11x11 and I figured that's too small ... so what's the smallest but yet can "Get the job done" in your opinions?

16x16 ? ballpark ? .... could 16x11 get it done?

16x11 would work, 12x16 is better, 16x24 is i think the sweet spot

[DiverSpear]

I have 20x20, but what ever your budget allows is the ideal size at that moment in time.