Media Rooms and Home Theaters by Budget

If you closed your eyes and envisioned your dream home, you'd probably rattle off a list of certain features you've always wanted. Would a custom-built media room or home theater be on that list? It should be. It's the perfect place to kick back and relax, entertain guests, or enjoy a movie night with the family.

You can hand pick everything from the room's decor to every last high-tech amenity — and there are plenty. These recreation rooms can range from a basic, family-friendly media room to a multi-million-dollar theater that looks and feels like an actual movie theater. With thousands of options to choose from, you might not know where to start.

Take a look at these examples from CEDIA, the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, broken down by price, to get an idea of what's within your range.

This media room features a relaxed, open environment, suitable for watching movies and playing video games. The 133-inch screen creates an immersive environment, while media equipment is stored out of the sight, though still easily accessible. Dynamic A/V, Inc. of Granger, Ind., worked to incorporate all the homeowner's desires, including a projector that provides great audio performance and a clear picture in any light.

For this project, Dynamic A/V, Inc. remodeled and upgraded an existing theater to feature the latest technology. The control system allows for easy, full-featured use, and a custom screen was added to allow for an optimum viewing experience in a room that is shallow in depth. The clients were able to get exactly what they wanted — a beautifully upgraded room complete with user-friendly technology.

This award-winning home theater was designed to serve as the centerpiece of a model home in an affluent Southwest Florida community. In order to allow custom-home-sales professionals to show the home to prospective homeowners, the user needed to be able to control all systems at the touch of a button. One of the most notable features of this project, designed by Accent Electronic System Integrators of Bonita Springs, Fla., is the one-touch "on" button for the whole home, which allows for convenience and control.