But what if you haven’t any space within your castle? Can you make use of a redundant garage or outbuilding? Experts Philharmonic AV converted a client’s Essex cowshed into an entertainment space where two zones were created: one for watching a movie with full surround sound, and the other to push back the sofas and turn the volume up for dancing.
“We hid the technical equipment within purpose-built cabinetry, so it didn’t impose on the interior design,” explains director Phil Turner. The budget was around £35,000. Philharmonic AV has set up a show home to offer a try-before-you-buy experience, such is the importance of getting it right.
The media room, however, is fast becoming a battle of budgets within couples, especially when “improving not moving” is on the cards.Increasingly, the kitchen is taking a hit to make way for enhanced technology elsewhere in the home.
Katie Sparrevohn from West London AV Solutions says it’s a nice trend to have one room where the family gathers but tastes are changing apace.
The media room in Medenham Abbey, on the market with Knight Frank
“We created a cinema room that cost nearly £200,000 which the family only used five times, then ripped it out to install a simulator for driving cars,” says Sparrevohn. “The really wealthy can afford multiple media rooms in multiple properties across the world, so we go wherever they want us to.”
Period properties at the luxury end are being adapted for the 21st century media moment. The historic grade II listed Medenham Abbey in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, includes a media room with ring-side tiered seating for 20. Duntisbourne House, set on a Cotswold country house estate, dates from 1760 and has a lower ground floor media room with valley views for daytime activities, and its own night kitchen hidden behind bespoke wooden doors for after dark.
Themed rooms are no problem for Finite Solutions, which was asked to create a cinema room for a James Bond enthusiast where 007 would feel at home. As well as highly sophisticated acoustics and cinematic technology, an automatic curtain glides open as the screen powers on, accompanied by the iconic Pearl and Dean advertising jingle – all for a cool £250,000.
The 007-themed media room
If that doesn’t have you reaching for a hotdog, the club-style cinema games room at Papillion Hall certainly will. The semi-subterranean retreat, built below the vast detached swimming pool complex, is a paradise for gamers with interactive screens and plenty of space for a pool table.
Media rooms are also the latest must-haves in high end developments says George Kyriacou, head of the real estate firm CIT, which is developing the landmark South Bank Tower in London into 191 luxury apartments.
Residents can book the cinema any time of the day or night to indulge in their favourite films or televised sporting events in absolute privacy for themselves and their guests.
“It completes the five-star lifestyle package residents demand,” he says.