Media Room….The Before and Inspiration

Updating our 20 year old media room. The before, during and inspiration for our media room makeover.

When we designed our home 24 years ago we carved out a space for a media room. We wanted to create a destination space without leaving the house. We put in a raised floor for seating, got media recliners, installed black velvet drapes…. complete with gold fringe and painted everything black. I wanted it to look like a real movie theater….without the grossness of sticky floors and buttery popcorn smells. The finished room was like the ‘cool kid’ in the house.

Before the Media Room Makeover

Years later and after the kids came along, I wanted to ‘fun it up’ and create a bit more personality in the room. I painted the walls lighter, added some cute signs to the walls and added some pillows.

Several years later, I decided to update the space once again and paint the walls white. This time, however, I was careless and spilled a gallon of white paint on the black carpet (and to think I was being so careful). Leaving it to look intentional didn’t seem to work, so the carpet had to go. The room sat for a while since we had other projects going on….which takes us to today.

My inspiration for the Media Room Makeover

The room measures about 190 square feet. It is big enough for 6 recliners or a small sectional. Here’s my plan for the room.

• Since I am doing this project on a budget, we will keep the existing seating…for now. With that in mind, the room configuration will also remain the same.

• The entire space and ceiling will get painted a color called ‘Carbon’ from Behr. It’s a deep charcoal color.

• Add boxed trim to the walls. For added color and interest, I may add fabric or wallpaper to the insets of the boxes.

• Install wood to the wall the TV will sit on ( similar to the first picture below)

• I’m leaning towards carpet but honestly, not completely decided about flooring.

• Get a new tv for the wall.

Our budget is about $2,000, with the electronics costing the most.

I found a few images that have helped me with the vision for the space.

Since my kids love to have their friends over, I want to get this room finished… yesterday. I only have a few years before college so now is the time that we should be enjoying the room. We have begun the demo and trimmed out the walls. I’ll be sharing those updates next.

More Media Room Posts and pictures on how the space has looked over the years.

Media Room Updates

DIY Ticket Sign for movie room

The Oscar goes to

Thanks for following along!