San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
MEDIA ROOM SEATING 101
Choosing the right furniture for your Tv-watching needs
It’s a safe bet that you probably got a new big-screen TV over the holidays or invested in one recently. With so many great streaming services available, Blu-rays to watch, and video games to play, that television is likely to get a serious workout week in and week out and provide countless hours of entertainment.
But your screen and A/V equipment comprise only one portion of the enjoyment in a TV room, home theater, or media room. The furniture you relax in while exercising your eyes and remote controloperating thumb is equally essential to complete the experience of comfort and convenience.
“It’s important to pick the proper furniture in your TV area because this is going to be the space, outside of the bedroom, where you spend the second-most time in your house as well as entertain guests, binge-watch content, and view sports,” says John Linden, an interior designer in Los Angeles. “The furniture in the room has to be comfortable, stylish, easy to clean, and quality built – all without breaking your budget.”
Lisa Torelli-sauer, the editor of West Grove, Pennsylvania-head
quartered Sensible Digs, agrees that careful thought and mindful shopping are required when selecting media room furnishings.
“Significant time sitting can strain your neck and back if you don’t choose pieces that are comfortable and right for you. In addition, it is recommended to pick furniture with stain-resistant fabrics or materials and that includes a place to store beverages, snacks, and remotes,” she says.
To help you narrow down the correct furniture pieces you’ll need to complete this space, Torellisauer recommends asking yourself the following questions:
• Will you be doing any other kind of entertaining in this room?
• Are you going to use the room to sit and chat with family or guests, or will the space be used exclusively for a viewing?
• How many people will regularly be watching?
• How long do you plan on keeping the furniture?
• Will eating, drinking, and pets be allowed on the furniture?
Perla Lichi, an interior designer in Pompano Beach, Florida, often recommends sectionals with built-in recliners or ottomans, cup holders, and low backs (that don’t compromise the view) to her homeowner clients.
Another in-demand approach is to choose modular furniture; here, pieces in a set can be custom grouped to create a personalized sectional layout, and you can purchase additional pieces to expand your collection as needed.
Alternatively, consider individual home theater recliners that can be grouped in a row of two or more, which is ideal for a dedicated home theater room meant to mimic the look and feel of the movie theater experience.
Whatever furniture type you choose, “leather and faux leather are the preferred materials, because they are easier to clean, although top grain leather is recommended for better quality and longevity,” Lichi says. “However, many opt for a stain-resistant fabric with a plush feel; this prevents sliding in your seat while still being able to clean up spills and messes quickly.”
Proper positioning of your furnishings will depend on the size and dimensions of the room and your desired aesthetics.
“When you have a long room, it’s best to create a home theater-style seating setup with steps and added height in the rear. High-back sofas and chairs are better so that you can recline and ensure neck comfort,” suggests Lichi.
Ponder the angle of the screen versus the position of your seating, too. You don’t want to have to turn, raise, or lower your neck to watch comfortably, and the TV shouldn’t be too close or distant. Experts advise moving your furniture back 7.5 to 14 feet from the screen, depending on its size, to avoid eyestrain.
“Also, think about how accessible the area will be to clean. Placing the furniture too close together could make it challenging to clean the f loors and sides of the furniture,” Torelli-sauer notes.
As far as budget, remember that you get what you pay for. Good quality media room furniture can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more for a sectional or a sofa with two or more recliners or chairs with ottomans.
“In general, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000 for each seat,” cautions Torelli-sauer.
Even if you don’t cheap out, be realistic in your expectations for longevity.
“You can anticipate your TV room furniture to be obsolete or in need of replacement in around 10 years,” Linden says.