Similarly, Lutron offers whole home and theater controls, as well as individual dimmers, switches and shading solutions. Lutron’s Abella lets you customize lighting with a simple wall plate. You can dim lights for a film and then brighten the room for socializing afterwards.  The company also designs a versatile whole home system HomeWorks which manages interior and exterior lighting. The wireless series requires no additional wiring, which is ideal for older, more historic homes.

Monster also offers wall dimmer systems with remote controls, like the Illuminessence and Controller 300 with OmniLink.

For DIYers, decorative wall sconces can add to the theatre’s ambiance. Art Deco styles are popular for ambient light solutions. You can create accents with specialty wall sconces that can also play into the theme of the room, whether it’s old-fashioned or space-aged. Lighting can also be added with rope lights and other decorative accents that will make your home theater look like a smaller version of the megaplex down the street.

Quick Tips for Lighting Your Home Theater:

• Integrate lighting with other system functions (this will allow you to present lighting controls for specific conditions, like turning down front-projected lights during show time or turning up low-lit backlights during a film).
• Don’t make your theater pitch black (leave low ambient lights on enough to see your snack or safely navigate a walkway).
• Blackout natural light with customized curtains (thick fabric eliminates natural light and softens acoustics).
• Sealing doors and windows will also eliminate natural light while also containing the audio from your speaker systems (so it doesn’t bother neighbors and other members of the household). 
• Paint your walls a darker shade to reduce glare (black, brown, dark blues and dark reds are ideal).

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Natalie Hope McDonald - Contributing Writer

McDonald is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. Her work has been published in magazines and newspapers including Real Simple, Essence, New Jersey Monthly, Boston Home, Philadelphia Style and many others. Check her out at www.nataliehopemcdonald.com.