Home Theater Seating: Dispelling Myths for Maximum Enjoyment

A race car is only as good as the tires that grip the road. Too slick and horsepower of genius engineering can be destroyed in seconds, with potentially deadly ramifications. Ever play golf? Don’t start, take it from me that it is a nasty habit like chewing tobacco but with more ugly, often emotional, side effects. The only way your whole body connects with your very expensive and often cursed golf clubs is through your hands/grips. Try playing excellent golf in the rain with worn grips. You quickly learn that you can’t control your shots without a little grip. Home theater seating reminds me of these out-of-industry issues. How much you love your audio and video has a lot to do with how comfortable you are when chilling out in your man (or woman, for that matter) cave. Comfort should be the highest consideration when designing and/or improving your AV listening room. Sadly, there are a lot of goofy rules and outdated concepts surrounding home theater seating. Allow me to clear matters up a bit here. 

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Myth No. 1: All Home Theater Seating Is Cheap or Crappy

Nope. That’s not true. I have a four-seat sofa/chaise-lounge configuration from the uber-high-end home theater seating company, Elite HTS, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Some argue that these guys are the “Mercedes of home theater seating” but to me they are more analogous with Bentley or Maybach. The frames in their seating are made of aluminum. The internal seat motors needed for smooth reclining of larger people like me -  are powerful yet silent. The “silk leather” used is not just supple but somewhat ageless as it doesn’t easily show the same wear I have in my AMG SUV’s front seats. Beyond being able to pick custom fabrics and wood finishes for your hand-built seating, you also get physically measured as if your chairs were a custom Brioni suit. They measure your torso height. They measure your legs. Then they build a seat for you. Yes, you. That makes the seating simply amazing and you can do this for everybody in your family too . Is Elite HTS expensive? Generally speaking, the cost of a luxury product this fantastic is pretty spendy. A basic, single chair costs roughly $7,000. I know an AV industry reviewer who has one that is pushing 20 years old and it looks brand new and performs like a champ. I couldn’t love my Elite HTS seating system more.

Myth No. 2: You Have To Have Cup Holders and Can Only Get Styles That Art Art Deco Inspired

Wrong again. Thirty years ago, when Dolby Pro Logic surround sound and VHS machines brought the concept of watching movies to the small screen from the silver screen, many clichés developed. People saw what Theo Kalomirakis was designing and robbed his s art déco style shamelessly. If you asked Theo today, I think he would tell you that red velvet theater seating has been done to death and he now has many more updated designs up his sleeve. Trends come and go in interior design as much as they do with home theater seating. To me, cup holders can look silly or overly detailed, but by no means does your home theater have to follow the ways of the past. Good seating options can look modern, rustic, sleek or shabby chic. Every color and design are available to you even if you don’t have a big furniture budget. You don’t want to buy a cheaply made sofa, but you don’t have to live with a design cliché either.

Myth No. 3: You Have To Buy Home Theater Seating From Your AV Store

By all means, you can design and order very premium home theater seating from your audiophile dealer or home theater salon, but you don’t have to. Two houses ago, I purchased simply fantastic home theater seating from the Minnesota-based, American-made furniture company, Room and Board. Their Metro Sofa is a true classic and nearly infinitely configurable for only a few thousand dollars. It isn’t IKEA priced, but it isn’t IKEA level of quality and comfort either. The seating in my screening room was so comfortable that it became an issue for me. Considering that paired with the light and sound controlled room and awesome HVAC, my screening room could have me fall asleep watching a movie in about 10 to 15 minutes. That wasn’t my goal, but it was an unexpected result. Other locations for more design-centric, upmarket seating solutions, including places like Design Within Reach, which focus a bit more on the concept of furniture-as-art. These two are national options, but everybody has good regional furniture options. Just like white speakers sell better on the coasts and wood-finished speakers sell better in the middle of the country – you will find locally relevant seating options if you take a Saturday to go explore.

Myth No. 4: Audiophile Rooms Are For One Person Only And Are Supposed To Be Messy Looking

The concept of having a messy-looking AV room is so a-generation-ago. Today’s home theater enthusiast and audiophile is expected to not just have their AV investment always ready for action and displayed neatly. It is also expected that you design your room to have more than one “hotspot” seating position so that all of your family (and/or guests) can enjoy the latest screening on any given movie night. Media rooms should be a focal point of a house. They should be where people congregate. Media rooms should have as much interior design and overall thought as any other high traffic room in your house.

Home theater seating is often overlooked as an important category in the hobby, but that is a mistake. The best big Hollywood theaters now spend big bucks on seating. You should invest appropriately too. Making your home theater room the go-to room in your house for family or personal entertainment is a very reasonable goal and one that should be embraced. You don’t have to spend the kid’s college fund to get there either. You just have to be aware of the importance of design and comfort when it comes to you and your fellow theater fans who watch (and listen) in your room. With that in mind, you simply can’t fail.

Creating a home theater is a dream come true for many people. It's a great way to enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and games with family and friends.

As streaming services and home theaters become increasingly popular, so does the need for comfortable seating options. Choosing the right home theater couch can make or break the movie-watching experience. When making your selection, there are many factors to consider.

Let's discuss the key points you should review when selecting home theater seating and why reclining sectionals, modular couches, armchairs, and recliners are the most popular solution.

What should you consider when picking your home theater seating?

You must consider several important factors to select the right home theater couch.

1. How will the space be used?

It's important to consider how the space will be used. If you have a designated home theater, your focus should be finding the most comfortable seating option possible.

However, suppose your home theater is part of a larger room that serves multiple purposes. In that case, you'll want to consider more versatile options that can easily be moved or reconfigured to accommodate different uses.

2. Where should it be placed? 

Another critical factor is the couch's distance from the walls and the screen. Your seating must be the proper distance from the screen to ensure the best viewing experience. This is particularly important if you have a large screen or projector setup. Distance from the walls is only critical if you choose a traditional reclining couch or wall hugger recliners. With Homebody, distance from the wall is a non-issue. Homebody recliners need only 2”to completely recline, 140º. 

3. Who will be using your home theater?

Your audience will also let you know your seating decision. Of course, stain-resistant fabric is always a good idea since refreshments are critical to the viewing experience. If your audience includes kids and four-legged friends, pet-friendly fabrics and sound construction are essential to ensure longevity and durability. Pet-friendly fabrics are resilient to scratches and shedding. At Homebody, all fabrics are stain resistant. Shell, the pet-friendly fabric, also stands up to playful pets and shedding. Since pets and kids will also bring more movement to your home theater, be sure the frame of your seating has sinuous springs. This will ensure your couches' longevity - the seats keep their bounce and will not sag. 

4. Extended viewing

Cushion construction is critical to your home theater experience. Watching a movie marathon or every game in March Madness is only possible if your seat is genuinely comfortable. If your cushions are too soft, they will not provide support, and your back might ache after a prolonged sitting. If your seating is too hard, the entire experience will be uncomfortable. Please be sure to look for cushions with a combination of down and foam. For instance, Homebody’s cushions have five layers of padding. The sustainable down lets you sink in, while the three types of foam provide bounce and support.

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Seating Types: Reclining sectionals, modular couches, and armchairs

Reclining sectionals are large couches with built-in recliners, allowing you to lay back and relax while watching your favorite movies and shows. These are great options to entertain a large crowd for movie nights.

Modular couches are ideal for theaters and tv rooms if you need to rearrange your seating easily. Their versatility makes them perfect for entertaining. You can customize the layout to fit your needs, whether you want to create a traditional couch shape, a U shape, or even a large L shape. 

If your crowd likes to have their own space, armchairs and recliners are the best solutions. If they are modular, they can be standalone seating options or added to a loveseat or sectional for a larger group.

Benefits of reclining sectionals

Reclining sectionals are popular for home theater seating because of their optimal comfort, space efficiency, and numerous positions. Here are some of their attributes:

1. Optimal Comfort: Reclining sectionals are designed to provide maximum comfort while you watch your favorite movies or shows. The built-in recliner allows you to adjust each seat to your liking, so you can relax and enjoy your entertainment. Reclining sectionals often come with incremental padding and support to provide extra comfort and reduce fatigue during long movie marathons.

2. Space Saving: Some reclining sectionals, like Homebody's, are designed to require minimal space clearance. This is an excellent feature if you have a smaller home theater space or want to maximize your room's space. Traditional recliners require 12” backspace, wall huggers require 5”; Homebody needs only 2” of backspace. 

3. Fully Automatic: Some reclining sectionals, such as Homebody's, are fully automatic. They provide more positioning options and require minimal effort to use. This feature is great if you aim to kick back, relax, and enjoy your favorite flicks.

Benefits of modular couches

Modular couches are an excellent choice for home theaters because of their versatility, ample seating, and durability:

1. Versatility: A modular design allows for maximum flexibility in terms of customization and configuration. This means you can rearrange the different sections of the couch to suit your specific needs. So whether you need a long row of seating for a large group or a more intimate seating arrangement for a smaller gathering — a modular couch may be a perfect choice. It adapts according to your entertainment needs. Homebody’s modular sofas are designed to incorporate their seamless recliners for maximum comfort and flexibility.

2. Entertaining: Comfortable cushions and various size options make modular couches ideal for hosting movie nights, viewing parties, or other social gatherings in your home theater. With plenty of space to spread out and relax, guests can enjoy the movie or show in comfort and style.

3. Durability: Identify a modular couch that is highly durable and stain-resistant. This is crucial for a room that sees a lot of use. Home theaters involve many snacks and beverages, so spills and stains are always possible. Modular couches from brands like Homebody are made from durable, sustainable materials with stain-resistant fabric options. Choosing a solid fabric will ensure your couch is easy to clean and can withstand regular use.

Benefits of armchairs

Armchairs and recliners are popular seating in home theaters for their individual comfort, flexibility, and authentic experience.

1. Individual Comfort: Armchairs are ideal when everyone needs space. If your armchair is also a seamless recliner with edgeless arms, you will have unlimited options to stretch out without encountering a hard edge. Seamless recliners appear to be regular couches or armchairs; their reclining function is concealed.

2. Flexibility: Armchairs and recliners can quickly move around the room to create different seating arrangements. This allows you to customize your home theater to suit your needs. If your room is small or irregularly shaped, having seating that creates more options is especially helpful. Modular recliners, like Homebody’s, can also be connected to form a couch. 

3. Theater Experience: If you want to create an authentic yet elevated theater experience in your home, armchairs, and seamless recliners should be your first choice. Homebody’s recliners have an adjustable ergonomic headrest that extends +2”. The versatility of the headrest and options for reclining create countless opportunities for comfort.

Choosing the proper seating for your home theater is critical to creating a comfortable and enjoyable movie-watching experience. Reclining sectionals, modular couches, recliners, and armchairs can each provide comfortable solutions that meet the needs of your space and audience.

Homebody's collection of reclining sectionals, modular couches, seamless recliners, and armchairs provides an array of styles, materials, and configurations to suit any home theater need.

So why not elevate your home theater experience with Homebody's high-quality and stylish seating options?

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