A Comprehensive Guide to Cinema Chairs

Whether you’re into rom-coms that tug on the heartstrings, hair-raising horrors, or encapsulating dramas, there’s nothing like watching a film on the big screen. The cinema experience can make a movie even more magical, so why not recreate it at home?

A home cinema space can help to save you money in the long run, while bringing the all-encompassing environment of a cinema to your very own abode. So, if you fancy screening the latest blockbusters or even tucking into a binge worthy box set, then we’ve got you covered on all you need to know about setting up a home entertainment room.

What is a home cinema?

A home cinema is a space for viewing films or TV shows, all from the comfort of your very own home. They can vary in set up due to space and design preferences, but usually consist of multiple cinema chairs, a large TV or projector screen, and are usually dark and dimly lit for an immersive viewing experience.

What will I need to make a home cinema?

A cinema room needs three core items: A large viewing screen – you can watch using a TV or projector – a sound system, and comfortable seating. You may also want to create your cinema in a room with little or few windows, though blackout blinds can help with homes where this is not possible.

What will I need to make a home cinema?

You can decorate your home cinema however you like, and ultimately how you decorate your floors, walls and ceilings is completely up to you. You’ll need to decide on the best viewing spot to place your screen and home sound system, and will need to lay out a seating plan that offers a good view for everyone. You may want to stagger your seats for better viewing, just like a real cinema. You could opt for a generous amount of seating for guests, or keep it cosy, with one chair per member of your household.

What is a cinema chair?

Cinema seats typically look similar to a regular armchair, but often offer enhanced features with the movie-viewing experience in mind. They are designed to be comfortable for long periods of sitting, meaning plenty of cushioning, and can often recline too. Many of them also feature cup holders and storage space for snacks and beverages, and will usually have a leather or faux-leather finish for durability and easy cleaning.

What are the best chairs for a home theatre?

Most cinema seating is either leather or faux leather , as it is easier to clean should any drinks or snacks spill during a film. However, you may decide to opt for fabric chairs for a vintage cinema look. A recliner chair will also help you to feel at your most comfortable while immersing yourself in the film.

At Furniture Online, we sell a generous range of cinema chairs in different styles and colours, which are perfect for your own movie room. Our Broadway cinema chair is one of our best sellers, and is actually modular. This means it could technically be expanded to an unlimited number of chairs attached together – you can buy a four-seater collection of this chair for a better saving. If you’re on a tighter budget, the Oscar might be a good fit for your cinema. Priced at just £249.99, this seat has a chic, modern look and also takes up little space.

Broadway

For a more homely feel in your cinema room, the Ashton might be the best choice for you. Though available as a single chair or three-seater sofa, the two-seater version of this style has an impressive central console, equipped with wireless charging, USB and USB-C ports, an Aux port, plus two cup holders. It also has hidden storage within the console, and even hosts integrated Bluetooth speakers for immersive sound. All this is finished in a classy brown leather-look tech fabric finish.

Ashton

What is the cost of a cinema chair?

The average cost of a single cinema chair across the market ranges between £300-£1000. They can be purchased as individual seats or as a group, but you could even opt for sofas if you wish. Furniture Online’s cinema seating starts under £250, with our Broadway four seater recliner chair collection coming in at just £1,829.96.

What material is a cinema chair made with?

Cinema seats are usually made with leather. Ours are made with standard bonded leather or air leather – a faux-leather that offers the look and feel of genuine leather, with enhanced breathability and comfort – but you could also opt for seating with a fabric finish if you’d prefer. Some of our chairs also come in a technology fabric, which similarly to air leather, has the same look and feel as leather, but actually has the properties of fabric. It is vegan friendly, and more resistant to abrasion than leather. You can find this type of material on our Ashton chair.

How do recliner cinema chairs work?

All of our cinema chairs recline, and operate either manually or with electricity. You can get cinema chairs that operate with a simple push design (such as the Studio), which you simply lie back to recline the chair, or by using a latch release on the side of the chair.
Power recliners require a mains electricity supply and can be controlled by simple buttons that move the chair in your desired direction.
Some of our cinema-suitable chairs are also rise recliners, meaning they can gently lift you to a standing position. The Caesar is available with either single- or dual-motor operation, and additionally offers a massage feature with heat.

Cinema chair sizing and dimensions

Cinema chair sizing and dimensions
Most cinema chairs range between 100-110 cm in height, 85-95 cm in depth, and 80-100 cm in width. For single seats, the Studio and the Oscar are our most compact offerings, with designs such as the Ashton or Broadway being slightly larger in width. Their dimensions are listed below:

  • Studio: Backrest Height 67 cm / Backrest Width 52 cm / Depth 88 cm / Height 104 cm / Recline Dimensions H:75 x W:82 x D:165 cm / Seat Depth 54 cm / Seat Height 48 cm / Width 82 cm
  • Oscar: Backrest Height 67 cm / Backrest Width 52 cm / Depth 88 cm / Height 104 cm / Recline Dimensions H:75 x W:82 x D:165 cm / Seat Depth 54 cm Seat Height 48 cm / Width 82 cm
  • Broadway: Backrest Height 69 cm / Depth 91 cm / Height 107 cm / Seat Depth 50 cm / Seat Height 50 cm / Seat Width / 58 cm / Width 95 cm
  • Ashton: Depth 95 cm / Height 102 cm / Length 95 cm / Seat Depth 51 cm / Seat Height 50 cm / Seat Width 58 cm / Width 100 cm

Is a home cinema worth it?

Adding a movie room to your home can actually increase the value of your property. Renting movies at home is also cheaper than a trip to the cinema, as rental prices are much lower, and you also don’t need to pay for individual tickets. Brand new releases can be rented from platforms such as Apple TV, the Sky Store, or YouTube for as little as £4.99. For older movies, sometimes you can rent or buy these digitally for just £1.99.

How far should you sit from a cinema screen?

The distance you should sit from the screen depends on the TV you are using. For a 1080p Full HD resolution TV, the viewing distance is suggested as 1.5 to 2.5 times bigger the screen size. For example, if you have an 80’’ TV, the best distance would be between 10 and 16.5 feet. The distance differs slightly for 4K Ultra HD TVs, which is roughly 1 to 1.5 times the screen size, and similar recommendations apply if you are using a projector – for an 80” projector screen, it is recommended that viewers sit roughly 8.9 feet back.

Is it expensive to make a home entertainment room?

Making a home cinema can vary in cost depending on your desires, budget, and the space you have available. On average, creating a movie room can range anywhere between £1,000 to £30,000 in total, depending on how grand you’d like the room to be. You can make a saving by purchasing multiple cinema chairs together – the Broadway four-seater set costs just £1,829.96 (priced individually at £479.99).

Is a home cinema safe?

A cinema is generally safe to have in your home. Make sure you take regular breaks away from the screen to avoid eye strain, and sit at the correct distance from the screen in proportion to its size. If your movie room is large, you may want to highlight any exits with signage, in case of an emergency. It’s also important to follow all important electrical safety guidelines, such as not overloading plug sockets or extension cables, and ensuring all your electrical equipment can receive proper ventilation to avoid overheating.

How to keep a movie room clean?

You can keep any home entertainment space clean in the same way you’d clean other rooms in your home. Flooring can simply be mopped and/or vacuum cleaned, and other surfaces such as trays or tables can be wiped down with disinfectant. You should dust any audio or visual equipment from time to time too. When it comes to your seating, you’ll want to take care not to ruin the material or recliner functions on your chair. Leather can usually be wiped down with a damp (not wet) cloth, but you can also purchase a leather furniture care kit for a more hygienic clean that won’t ruin the material. Keep any liquids away from power supplies or operator buttons on your cinema chair to keep its recliner function working safely.