Choosing colors is hard; it just is. I struggle to choose colors for a new car, and I only have a few choices there. When it comes to selecting colors for a new home, there are SO many options that it can seem impossible to choose one you will love. This is even harder when you don't know what it will look like in the home, where the natural and artificial light look so much different than in a showroom or hardware store.

Whatever color you end up with for the majority of your home, one thing is certain. It won't be the right choice for your theater. So how do you avoid choosing the wrong color for your theater? Here are some tips from your home theater designer.

1. Understand the goal

Theaters are designed to be dark spaces primarily because of projectors. When a projection screen is lit by a projector, the light bounces into the room. If the room returns that light, such as bouncing it off of brightly colored walls, the result is a poor, washed-out image. So the first requirement to choose the correct color is to find something that won't impact the projector's performance, which means a darker color. The brighter the color, the more it will diminish the picture, so keep that in mind as you choose a color.

 

Project by BRAVAS Indianapolis

2. Consider the Lighting

Dedicated theaters tend to be darker spaces, often with no windows. The lighting is often provided by indirect lights in the ceiling and sconces on the walls. When choosing colors, it is important to keep in mind how the space will be lit, because the lighting will determine how the color you choose is perceived. When looking at colors, look at them in darker spaces, not just in a brightly lit showroom. It will help you better understand how you will feel about the color when it is on the wall in your home theater.

Project by BRAVAS Colorado | Photo by S. Brenner Photography

3. Choose a hue

Many theaters we encountered in the past were very bold shades of burgundy or even solid blacks. While both perform well as theaters, they don't necessarily create inviting spaces. But that doesn't mean you should be scared of color. While gray shades are very popular, like Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray, colors can inject your personality into the space. If you want a truly bold color, consider using it on the front or screen wall with a more neutral color for the rest of the room. The screen will help break the color up, and the pop of color can add excitement without impacting the image on the screen.

4. Have Fun!

The theater is intended to be an experience, so have fun. You should consider the color palette of the rest of your home, but don’t feel like it needs to match. Amy Guess, Principal of BGI Interiors, recommends colors like Indigo Batik (SW 7602) or Night Owl (SW 7061.) Both are deeply saturated colors that can make your space uniquely yours without creating a distraction from your theater experience.

BRAVAS has relationships with Interior Designers all over the country. So, if you are considering a project and need expert help from a home theater designer, don't hesitate to reach out to us today. We are the nation's largest luxury residential home technology installer, and we would love to help you turn your simple theater into a one-of-a-kind private cinema.