Home theaters are appealing to just about everyone. There’s nothing quite as relaxing as settling in for night on the couch with a good movie and some popcorn. Home theaters can be expensive to create. The good news is that with the advances in technology nearly everyone can put in their very own home theater for very little money.
Use What You Already Own First
The first part of saving money is to make good use of your existing equipment. Today having a high quality and large flat screen television is fairly common place, and they are a viable alternative to costly projectors. Many people will also own DVD players, streaming devices, and even stereo systems. When first starting your budget home theater you should try to build on the items you already own.
If You Build It Yourself, They Will Come
Some of the most expensive purchases you will make have nothing to do with actual entertainment. A home theater will require cabinets and other woodwork to hold your electronic equipment. If you have decided to refit a space for this purpose then you will need to think about painting the walls, running lighting, and any other installations you may need. These are all projects that are well within most people's abilities.
Even a novice carpenter can build solid and straight shelves and anyone can paint a wall. Running LED mood lighting is a simple matter of placing small wired lamps. You can set up speakers easily with the help of the included intructions. By doing these tasks yourself, you can save yourself a lot of money.
Invest in Multi-use Equipment
There are several devices on the market today that can easily fill a number of entertainment slots. A multi-use device allows you to save money and space on individual items such as DVD players or hard drives for storage of personal media. From tiny Android based devices capable of streaming nearly every type of web content onto a big screen TV in full surround sound and HD, to late generation gaming consoles that can do all of that and more, there is a perfect candidate for your needs and budget.
Some people even choose to connect an older desktop computer to the television. With a few minor upgrades to the audio/video card and RAM, you could have the centerpiece to your home theater at your fingertips.
Theater In a Box
The last option for a budget friendly home theater system is to find a “theater in a box”. These are kits that may include speakers, media storage, or a media player. Most kits are aimed at a particular niche of entertainment. You can choose systems for music lovers, movie buffs, and gamers. There are many good well-rounded systems available at nearly every price point. Choosing to buy a theater in a box can save you time and money if you don’t already own the necessary entertainment equipment. Shop around until you find one that fits your needs and budget.
