A log cabin is known for its versatility. Other than converting it into garden gyms and home offices, did you know that it can also be utilised as a cinema?
With video-on-demand and streaming services on the rise, more and more people are creating their own theatre systems at home. But, setting one up requires adequate space which the living room or a spare bedroom may not be able to accommodate.
The good thing is that you can now fulfil your long-time dream of creating a home cinema through an excellent log cabin setup! It will allow you to enjoy a theatre-like experience without having to leave your garden.
You can also invite friends and relatives over for a cosy movie night in! Here is a complete guide on how you can turn your log cabin into the perfect home cinema.
1. Insulation
When converting your log cabin into a home cinema, you will want to make it an all-season entertainment room. Hence, proper insulation is crucial.
A well-insulated structure will not only provide warmth to your outdoor structure but also make it sound-proof. Essentially, you will need to insulate three parts of your log cabin: roof, wall, and floor.
If you have the proper knowledge, you can do so using bubble or fibreglass sheets. But if you are not adept in insulating a garden room, you can leave it to the experts to avoid any significant problem.
2. Pre-wiring: Surround Sound, Projector and Lighting
After you have insulated the walls and roof, your next step will be pre-wiring your log cabin. This is essential for your home cinema’s sound system, including projector and lighting.
Surround Sound
Most home theatres use a 7.1 surround sound system, including a subwoofer and seven-channel speakers placed at the centre, left and right, side surrounds, and rear surrounds.
Yours will depend on the size of your log cabin, and of course, your budget.
Screen
If you prefer a video projector, you will need to pre-wire an HDMI cable to be able to show high-definition videos. You will also need to set up CAT5 wiring to access your projector via a radiofrequency (RF) remote.
If you wish to use a home theatre TV, on the other hand, you can also pre-wire an HDMI cable if you want to connect it to your computer. You can also opt for a modern smart TV instead.
Lighting
In wanting to create a movie theatre atmosphere in your log cabin, install some downlights on your ceiling and sconces along your sidewalls. For this, you can plan their locations and run necessary electrical wiring on each.
You can also opt to connect the lights to an RF dimmer which you can control using the remote you use for your projector.
3. Drywall
One of the most important things to accomplish before attaching the drywall is to create careful incisions through which all your pre-wired electrical cables will be inserted. You can then install it using properly-driven fasteners.
At the same time, you can opt for speciality drywall which provides a significant sound barrier. If the budget doesn’t allow, however, you can also install standard drywall and add sound-dampening materials for sound-proofing.
After the installation, you can paint the drywall with black or any dark hue to complete your home theatre atmosphere.
4. Setting up a Video Projector
For the projector screen, the ideal size ranges from 100-120 inches. Motorized widescreens are now a popular choice for home theatres.
Your image projector should then be connected to an equipment hub where you can play your favourite movies. In the equipment hub, you can show content through various multimedia devices such as a Blu-ray player, cable/satellite feed, gaming console, or home theatre PC.
If you have a relatively small setup, you can also fasten a 42-65 inch TV into your log cabin wall. You can opt for the modern smart TV which allows you to access online streaming sites without a computer or disc player.
5. Setting up the Sound System
After setting up your home cinema screen, you can start hanging your speakers in their designated locations. You can then connect the receiver to your equipment hub.
6. Seating
For the last step, furnish your home cinema with great seating! You can choose to set up some comfy sofas, bean bags, or the authentic theatre-style seating. The number of chairs you will install will depend on how many people you plan to accommodate in your home cinema.
After completing every phase of your home cinema arrangement, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your favourite movies with family and friends! If you do not yet have a log cabin, feel free to choose among our wide selection of garden buildings that are perfect for a home theatre setup.
What do you think ?