Designing the perfect home theater is never easy. There’s a lot to consider. Budget is a big one, the equipment you prefer is also important, the layout of your space deserves some thought, and of course, your ideal seating options.
There is hardly any point in settling down to a family movie if your seats aren’t comfortable. Full immersion in the experience is paramount, and seating that facilitates that and complete relaxation is a must.
Let’s start by considering how many people your theater will seat on an average night.
Do you have a large family who loves watching movies together? Or do you frequently host movie nights with your closest friends? Not all theater chairs are the same. The number of people who will be enjoying films with you does affect what type of comforts you should look for in your theater seating.
Home Theater Seating Essentials
Generally, there are a few essential considerations you should keep in mind for any theater seating:
Room Size & Layout
Consider the size of the room relative to the chairs, and how close or far you want to sit from the TV. Think about the placement of the seats and whether space is better suited for specific seating types.
Decide what the layout will be and if each spot will be the best seat in the house. Check out this guide to learn more about TV viewing distance as you plan your seating.
Seating Type
There is a vast selection of theater seating chairs types, styles, materials, features, and more. The key is to understand your options and test your choices before making a decision.
Budget
Whatever your budget, the right seating is out there. Your budget will help you narrow down your options so you can find the perfect set to fit your needs.
Home Theater Seating for Two
If your theater seating room is on the smaller side, you need something that will make the most out of your available space.
Seating for two offers an unparalleled level of intimacy and coziness for your home theater seating system. When looking for two-person theater seating, especially for a smaller room, look for something that’s plenty functional and that still has room for when you have an extra guest.
When you want something that combines both form and function, the Oxford Premier Seating may be the solution.
It was designed to save space in every way, which means more room for bonus features like a giant TV or speakers to maximize your cinematic experience.
One of our favorite features is the center console which converts into a third seat! Perfect when you have someone else joining you, or even if you want a little extra space to yourself. We highly recommend looking for a similar feature in your 2 person theater.
Home Theater Seating for Three
If you’re considering seating for three people a row configuration is typically best, both in terms of providing the best viewing experience and for optimal design layout.
However, one major issue with row configurations is that the middle seats often lack the same amenities as the end seats. This can make the person in the middle feel like the third wheel, or a tad bit uncomfortable. Fortunately, this problem is easier to solve than you might think. That’s because when it comes to home theater seating room for three, there are countless choices to pick from.
Nearly every one of our seating options works for accommodating three (or more!) viewers. When it comes to looking for seating for three, it comes down to which style and features you want.
For this reason, amongst others, we like the Tuscany Premiere.
The three-row configuration is our most popular arrangement and makes the third-wheel predicament obsolete.
The design optimizes three-person seating and ensures that everyone gets the same level of comfort thanks to its motorized controls, which allow you to have completely powered adjustability for recline, lumbar support & headrest position.
The streamlined design helps rooms look larger and works well with most interiors and layouts. In the case of accidental spills, the overall design, as well as the material, are made for easy cleanup so you can get back to enjoying your movie faster.
Home Theater Seating for Four
Just like with three-person seating, there is no lack of choices for comfortably seating four people. You may want to go with a sofa for a homey feel, but they often appear bulky and take up a lot of space.
Chaise style seating is another option. This is generally suitable for medium-sized families and gives you a variety of arrangements to choose from. However, they usually don’t have motorized features and have to be combined with other seats.
When looking for four-person seating, you want something where everyone can have legroom while not compromising the best view of the screen.
If you find that space is tight, we recommend our most versatile option, the Valencia Syracuse. It comes in a variety of arrangements for any room size while still providing a spacious seat for everyone.
This style’s space-saving secret is its narrower armrests, which add up to quite a bit of saved space between four seats.
Our top-rated space-saving arrangements include a row of four with a single loveseat in the middle and two individual seats on each side. Or, for maximum space-saving, opt for a single row of two love seats.
Home Theater Seating for Five or More
When you’re looking to fit more than five people, fixed seating is usually your best bet. The biggest issue you’ll run into is how to get enough seating in your home theater seating without having to crowd anybody, making the room seem cramped or losing screen access.
This issue will be especially exemplified if you need to accommodate big and tall seating and want more legroom than the average theater. So unless you have a massive space, we’d recommend steering clear of tall seating options.
Comfortably seating a medium or large group can seem like a tall order, but that won’t stop you from finding your perfect match. The majority of our selection works in most spaces, including theaters rooms on the smaller side.
Except for a single row of five, the space-saving tips mentioned in the seating for four sections will also work for seating five or more. Just look for chairs with narrower armrests or loveseat arrangements.
When arranging for an even number, we recommend two equally-numbered rows. For an odd-number, try two rows with one less seat in the front row. Any of our products, from Verona to Zurich, work for these configurations.
With the right seating, you can still have room for the theater-grade TV and sound system while enjoying all of it with your friends and family, too!
Conclusion
When you’re looking for the perfect seating for your home theater system, there’s a couple of things to look for:
- You want something that works for everyone who will enjoy the space with you, whether you’re accommodating two people or eight.
- That means finding seating designed to make the most of any space while still providing the best possible comfort.
- Additionally, you want to make sure those sitting in the middle still have all the same conveniences as those in the end seats.
No matter how big your room, Valencia Theater Seating can help find the perfect seating option for you and your loved ones, in numerous styles and configurations.
If you still feel stuck or need advice on the perfect seating for your space, we would be happy to talk to you about your room and discuss your options. Give us a call at 1-866-455-3932, or send us a message through our website and we’ll help you find your ideal configuration.