Welcome to the 848th Metamorphosis Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! I’ve been busy as a bee working down in the basement, setting up a theater/movie room, of sorts.
If you’ve been reading BNOTP for a while, you may remember seeing the next two photos when I shared them in a post shortly after moving into the Dollhouse. If it can be avoided, I’ve never been a big fan of having a TV over the mantel. It seems a bit high for TV watching. In rooms with a lot of windows and doors, sometimes that’s the only place where the TV can go, but that huge wall on the right was giving me ideas. I’ve been itching to turn this into a kid-friendly theater room, envisioning movie nights here with my son, DIL, and grandsons who live nearby.
Around November of last year, I added this sectional sofa to the basement. It was the first step toward creating the media room I was picturing in my head. Though kid-friendly, I wanted the seating for this room to feel a bit luxurious with soft, cozy textures, a place to retreat and relax after the trials and tribulations of the day.
This sofa has tons of amazing storage—perfect for game night or stashing away a few blankets/throws. Since it’s a sectional, it can be positioned in a lot of different ways, including in an L-shape or as a sofa with two chairs. My favorite way to use it is the way you see above, and the way I’ll be sharing it in today’s post. (Sectional sofa is available in 4 colors here: Sectional Sofa.)
So, here’s how the theater room is looking so far. The original TV has been removed, only its supports remain. I need to borrow a strong wrench from my son to remove those. I found yellow paint behind the TV, so it looks like the room was painted after the TV was installed. I can see why the couple who lived here several years ago painted around it—it took some effort for the Geek Squad to remove it!
I still need some art or something on the wall under the window, but I love how the movie posters look on this wall. The Back to the Future poster on the right side is little smaller than the Harry Potter poster. I knew that when I ordered it, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be that noticeable. It bugs me being slightly smaller, although my DIL thought it looked fine. I’ve ordered another movie poster (Jurassic Park) that I know the kids will love, and it is the same size as the larger Harry Potter poster. Once it arrives, I’ll find another spot for the Back to the Future poster. The movie posters are available already framed here: Harry Potter Movie Poster, Back to the Future Movie Poster, and Jurassic Park Movie Poster.
They look the same size from this angle, but they are not.
Everyone loves the “bean” bag chairs! I knew my grandsons would love them, but I was surprised to see how much my son and DIL like them, too. Thankfully, they aren’t really filled with beans but are filled with chipped-up foam, or at least I think that’s what’s inside. They feel super comfortable and supportive. They were exactly what I wanted to keep that cozy-seating feeling in this space. And since they are so soft and pliable, they are easy to scoot by and around to reach the sofa. (Cozy chairs are available here: Cozy Chairs for Lounging.)
I’m really happy with the round table that I ordered to go alongside the sofa. It’s available in six finishes here: Round Pedestal Side Table. I ordered it in the “gray” finish, but it’s more of a dark greige color in person. Since I like it so much, I’ve ordered a second one for the other side. I thought about going with a different style end table to mix things up, but I couldn’t find anything that I liked as well as this one.
The brass lamp with the black shade is a lamp that I’ve had for 20+ years. I never really used it in the Georgia house since it only puts light from the top and the bottom. Well, that turns out to be perfect for a media/TV room! It can be turned on in a dark room, and it doesn’t blind everyone in the room. Finally found a great use for this lamp after all these years!
I need to find a remote-controlled shade or blind for the window in this room. As a temporary measure, I’ve been stuffing big pillow shams from my bed inside the window to block out the light.
The TV: So what’s on the TV wall? After watching a ton of TV reviews on YouTube and visiting two local Best Buys several times, I finally chose an 83-inch, LG G4 OLED TV. It was a tough decision between the three top contenders (LG, Sony, and Samsung) because they all looked great, but in the end I liked the picture I was seeing on the LG G4 the best. I went with the large 83-inch size to create the most immersive and theater-like feeling possible.
I asked David (with the Geek Squad) if I could take a few photos during the installation, of course not showing their faces. He said, “Sure,” adding that they don’t mind if their faces show. He said that they frequently end up in social media posts and don’t mind it at all–that’s it great promotion for their services. Here they were preparing the wall for the mount that will hold the TV. I had done a bunch of pre-measuring, which David appreciated. Though the console I ordered was supposed to arrive two days before, it did not arrive on time. I knew its measurements, so we used that to determine the correct height for the TV.
Since I knew there would be four cables for various electronics, the Geek Squad fished the wall to hide all the cables.
It made me nervous, not having the console present, but the mount allows for small adjustments. In the end, the height was perfect! David did an awesome job!
The console finally arrived on Saturday, and I put it together over the weekend. (Console is available here: Console.)
During my extensive research phase, I learned that for optimal viewing, a TV should be mounted where the center of the TV is approximately 42 inches up from the floor. That’s apparently around eye-level for your average person when they are sitting on a sofa. Initially, I had been looking at consoles that were a good bit taller, but once I learned that tidbit of information, I changed my shopping direction and started looking for shorter consoles.
There are not nearly as many lower/shorter consoles online for purchase as there are taller ones. This is the console that I liked the best of those I found online. It’s designed in three sections and measures approximately 23.62 inches tall, 15.55 inches deep, and 104.33 inches wide. I always prefer for a console to be a bit larger than the TV that hangs or sits above it. I just prefer how that looks. This console is probably a little longer than I needed, but it was the one I liked the best, and the extra “counter” space is handy for the Eero Wifi “mesh” unit, TV remotes, candles, and such. (Read about the Eero Mesh Wifi system here: Eero Mesh Wifi.)
After watching and reading a lot of reviews, including getting some helpful input from my son, the sound system bundle I chose is the Sonos Arc Ultra, which includes a soundbar, two small rear speakers, and a subwoofer. (Sonos Soundbar is available here: Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar. The Subwoofer is available here: Sonos Subwoofer.) Soon, I’ll be shopping for baskets to fill many of the openings below for additional hidden storage. (The LG G4 is available here: 83-inch LG G4 OLED TV. It’s available in smaller sizes here: LG G4 OLED TV.)
Don’t judge the screen since photos won’t do it justice, but here’s a quick view from the sofa.
Once the other table arrives this week, the back Sonus speaker in this corner will have a better place to rest than on the built-in cabinetry. I added a bit of fun to that corner…do you see it? It’s hard to photograph at a distance when it’s turned on.
Here’s how it looks lit up. 🙂 I love it so much! For me, it’s one of the best things in the room, and it looks amazing lit up with the lights off. It has 6 or 7 brightness settings, so it can be turned up to be super bright or dimmed down. My DIL and I like the 3rd or 4th brightness level up from the bottom. (Neon Movie Night sign is available here: Neon Movie Night Sign.)
I’ll share additional photos when I add another table/lamp on the other side of the sofa, swap out the poster on the right for one that’s slightly larger and a better fit, add additional wall decor under the window, remove the mounts for the old TV and get that area repaired/painted. What should I hang on the wall above the fireplace? A painting? I don’t want to hang a mirror or anything that would reflect light. Any suggestions?
Looking forward to all the wonderful Before and Afters linked for this week’s Met Monday! Like to know when a new blog post is up? Subscribe for email updates (it’s free) and your email will never be shared. Subscribe for free email post updates here: Subscribe.
Metamorphosis Monday: Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. Please link up your Before and After projects like DIY projects, room makeovers, craft projects even recipes. Please do not link up Table Settings, save those for our Tablescape Thursday party on Thursday. If you are participating in Met Monday, you’ll need to link your post to the party using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address. To get your permalink, click on the name of your post, then copy and paste the address that shows in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz when prompted.
Everything looks great! You have a wonderful vision for things. I cannot stand that every home these days thinks having a high television is a good choice, especially when it’s competing with a beautiful fire underneath. The fireplace should be in the corner or on another wall. Anywho, I love your room! My suggestion for the previous TV location is oversized, faux movie reels. Have fun and Happy Friday to all!
Thanks so much, Jane! When I’ve been on home tours, I’ve seen them several times above fireplaces. In some cases, there was nowhere else for it to go. I do love it when they are down lower and at eye level, when possible. I love the faux movie reels idea! I saw some on Amazon, and I need to see if those are the right size. That would be perfect for a movie room. 🙂
Hobby Lobby often has fun movie-themed decor items, too.
I will definitely check there…thanks for that suggestion!
This is perfect timing for me. I am shopping for a TV/console and I think I want the same console Where did you find this one?
This is it: https://amzn.to/4lKOxCt. It was super easy to put together, really good instructions.
I think something a bit 3-dimensional would be great in the space previously occupied by the prior tv. Wire sculpture of a city scene? Or nature? Perhaps a trio of ‘sculptures’. I am wondering if this would be nice … Amazon (37″ wide x 9″ hi x 2″ deep) Touch of Class Flowering Charm Metal Wall Topper – Metal – Pink, Gray, Green, Taupe, Gold – Flowers Sculpture for Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Office, Entryway, Foyer (https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Class-Flowering-Topper-Pastel)
That sounds so pretty! That’s beautiful! Thanks for that suggestion, Laurie!
XXX
Your movie room looks fantastic Susan. Your family will enjoy this so much and you’ll make great memories. I’m looking forward to seeing it completed. I agree with you, I’m not a big fan of TVs over the fireplace. Luckily I’ve been able to avoid it in our home. Since you have movie posters on the other wall maybe some type of Hollywood artwork over the mantel? I’m sure you’ll come up with something genius. XO- MaryJo
Thanks so much, MaryJo! My son is already planning a movie night for this weekend. My oldest grandson came over two nights ago and asked if he could take the Mickey Mouse ice cream he was eating downstairs. As he watched TV, he said, “This is my dream, to eat ice cream while feeling like I’m at the movies.” Made me so happy to hear him say that. They seem to really love it. I tried to watch a Hallmark movie last night that was filmed at The Biltmore Estate in NC, and ended up falling asleep. I need to see how it ended!
You’ve made so much progress, Susan! I hope you’re happy with the way it’s turning out. I can see why the boys would love those chairs. They look so comfy. And that is a great price for that end table! It’s such a good looking table and the price is fantastic. Unfortunately, Laurie’s link didn’t work. Maybe she’ll post it again. I’m curious to see what she suggested.
Can’t wait to hear about the family’s first big movie night.
Thanks, Pam! I was surprised by the price for the table, too! I just tried to do a search for the words “Touch Class Flowering Topper” that’s in that link, and it took me to this page: https://amzn.to/4jrWvyP . I think it’s the first two items on that page.
What a fabulous room to enjoy with your family! Creating spaces that my grandchildren enjoy is always on my mind in both of our homes. I love your movie posters(Back to the Future is a 3 generation fav in our family!). Those chairs look sooo comfy! We have the same tv in our family room & really enjoy it.
I love the movie night sign…it’s in my cart to give my oldest son’s family—they have family movie night every Friday!
Thanks so much, Merri Jo! Yes! I love surprising them whenever I can.
That’s wonderful! I’m still learning what features to turn on and turn off.
I know they’ll love the sign, it’s one of my most favorite things in that room.
Great job in this room. I wish you many years of fun TV watching with your family. I appreciate your comment about having the TV so high over a fireplace. I think it is most uncomfortable to have to crook your neck to look up at it from a seat on the chair or sofa unless you are pretty far away and then it’s too small to see. Why do so many think they have to put it there these days? Good for you for not going with the flow!!
Thanks so much, Dianne! I was just thinking the same thing today, that they may work over a fireplace, as long as you’re pretty far, but then who wants to be that far away. I never really thought about having it down closer to eye level until I started doing so much research shopping for a console to go underneath. This has def been a learning experience for me.
WOW! What a fabulous media room, Susan! Really like your choices. Well done.
Those puffy chairs look sooooo comfy! Love the neon sign too.
What are you doing with the old wall mounted tv?
Thanks so much, Michele! It’s funny because I would normally never go for chairs like that, but fixing up this space for family and my two grandsons has been so much fun! It reminds me of when I added on the screened porch in Georgia and had a reason to shop for very different furniture/accessories than I would not normally buy/need.
I can’t tell one TV from another, but my son said that the one above the fireplace was very old and not worth keeping, so I let Best Buy recycle it. It was so old that the last two families who lived here didn’t want the TV or any of the electronics that were attached. I took all of the electronics/speakers/receivers, etc… to Goodwill yesterday. I was told there are people who like to collect the older pieces, so hopefully, someone will enjoy them.
So much progress! Great spot to get cozy and hunker down during a storm. For the old TV spot, maybe paint it a dark color and hang the neon sign. I did a quick search for home theater vintage decor and saw some fun ideas. Also, even though the Back to the Future poster would be partly covered, have you thought to put it in the middle right under the window?
That’s true! Next time I have to head to the basement, I’ll have a place to lay down. Tornadoes always seem to come through in the middle of the night. There are some really fun pieces online for media/movie rooms.
That space directly over the sofa/under the window is pretty small. I need to measure it to see what will fit there. I had been thinking about some movie reels…I saw some on Amazon a while back.
Just love your new Media Room! That sofa looks so comfortable. Can’t believe you never watch TV at all. I have 4 in my house and am a TV Addict!
Thanks so much, Judy! Yeah, I basically quit watching when HGTV stopped carrying the shows I was enjoying…and I find the news depressing. So I mainly just watch movies…like comedies, romances, nothing too intense or violent.
Susan, okay, I’m going with the first thing that hit me for the wall where the TV previously was. I would put some of those old timey movie film reel things. Maybe wall decor that’s like a fake big box of popcorn or some gigantic movie tickets. Something along those lines that’s a mix of items. I just don’t think it would be very interesting to put up one big picture in that space. And on the bookshelves on either side I would keep it simple and uniform with strictly books and movies displayed both vertically and horizontally for interest. That’s what popped into my head right off the bat.
I love those ideas! I may put something like that over the sofa under that window…that area needs something badly. I know, I can’t envision a big picture there either, that would feel too “living-room-like” and just isn’t the vibe of this room. I’m glad you said that because I was thinking the same thing.
I love the idea of books and movies displayed there! I’ve never had so many bookshelves to fill in my entire life! There are bookshelves everywhere in this house! It’s a nice problem to have, though…I’m not complaining. It may take me a while to fill them all!
Wow – what a room! LOVE that sofa!!!
Thanks so much, Ann! It really works for a media/TV room…super comfy!
Great use of your space. I don’ t like tv’s above the fireplace either!
Could you mat your smaller print to fit the same size frame as your other print? Love the idea of movie posters. Looks like a fun space, for sure!!
Thanks for that suggestion, Bev! Unfortunately, I bought these already framed since it was less expensive than having to take them to be framed. They are inexpensive, so I don’t mind keeping this one and just putting it in on a different wall.
My Link Ups for today’s party are #
Susan,
I just love your media room…The furniture is fantastic!!
Thanks so much for hosting this charming party!!! I truly do appreciate it as I do know the time involved with it….I hope you and your family are well and enjoying your week!
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
Thanks so much, Debbie! I was going for lots of soft, comfy surfaces.
XXX
Almost all that you are missing is the popcorn machine!
Ha! I thought about it! When I’ve shopped for those, the reviews seem to indicate they are a pain to clean, but that would be the perfect finishing touch! lol
Iris, I couldn’t resist. I looked at the reviews again and I found some that were saying that it’s really not hard to clean. So I went for it and ordered a machine. That room needs one!
Aww, your comment about what your grandson said melted my heart! For the area above the fireplace I thought some kind of Now Showing or Showtimes blackboard or LED display you could update with the name of the movie, or the movies you plan to watch that week would be cool, but I love the other reader’s idea of the old-style movie reels – you could do some kind of up/backlighting or even fairy lights around them to illuminate them at night. I’m a popcorn fiend and agree with you about the big freestanding popcorn machines – seems like they would get greasy. At home, I mostly use a plug-in countertop hot air popper and add melted butter from the microwave to the bowl before serving, but recently learned you can add the hot-air style popcorn kernels to a brown paper lunch bag, fold it a couple times, and then microwave it for a couple minutes til it’s done. I’ve tried it a few times and it’s best not to use too much at once as it doesn’t all pop before getting overdone – you might have to experiment with your microwave, but you can reuse the bag as needed and then add your butter when done! If I do use the storebought microwave popcorn, Pop Secret’s my favorite. You’re so caring and creative, I can see you doing something fun with candy “concessions” too. Happy Viewing!
Love that idea for over the mantel! I decided to go ahead and try one of the machines…found a few reviews that said they aren’t terrible to clean. I purchased the premade sets of popcorn that use coconut oil, so hopefully that will be pretty healthy/safe to use. Keeping my fingers crossed that I like it. I guess if it doesn’t work as it’s supposed to, I should be able to return it.
Susan, I’ve enjoyed all your posts over the last few years but this has to be my number one favorite! I appreciated your vision for the room, and the amount of research you must have done is staggering! Thank you so much for sharing your inspirations with us! Truly enjoyable!
Thanks so much, Barbara! ♥ The research part was both exciting and exhausting. There are so many great TVs on the market, and they all have something special that sets them apart. There’s a YouTube channel called Digital Trends, with a super knowledgeable host named Caleb, that I found very helpful. After many years with that channel, Caleb just left and created his own channel called, CalebRated. He is a wealth of knowledge about what to look for in a TV. So both of those channels are great when you’re trying to learn as much as possible about today’s TVs and what’s coming next.
You are the best mom/grandmother ever for creating this area for your family. I love the neon sign! I didn’t notice the difference in size of the posters until you mentioned it and then my eye kept going Back to the Future. Ha! Bet that’s what you are doing also!
Everything looks so nice and inviting to watch a chick flick .
As for what to hang above the fireplace.
Maybe enlarged photo of the boys on the Colorado ski trip.
Something that makes the space more family friendly, you could do
a collage of your travels, the photo of you feeding the Giraffe in Kenya, or riding the camel in Egypt.