At a Glance:
What Are Theater Seating Options?
How Much Does Theater Seating Cost?
Our Best Home Theater Seating Picks
A long time ago in a home theater room far, far away, someone missed their favorite movie scene while trying to get comfortable. That’s when our hero started to wonder if it was time to upgrade to home theater seating — the next level of home entertainment and comfort. Luckily, you don’t need the force or the help of a loveable green guru to help you find the best home theater seating. At Bob Mill’s Furniture, our experts have been in the same situation as our hero, and we know just the solution.
But in order to identify the best home theater seating, you should know what it is. In this guide, we provide everything you need to know about home theater sofas, loveseats, and chairs. Then, we introduce you to four top home theater seating options, each unique to a different kind of buyer. Follow along as we journey far, far away and reveal how to bring the magic of the cinema to the comfort of your home.
What is Theater Seating?
Unlike sofas and loveseats, which are made for sprawling, theater seats have one sole purpose: to replicate the experience of the cinema. Although stationary seating looks similar, theater seats are designed in a row, giving each user an individual place to sit, plus two armrests on either side of a seat.
And just like at the movies, home theater sofas, loveseats, and chairs recline. These days, there are a number of home theater recliner setups buyers can choose from to match each user’s budget, room layout, and desired level of functionality. We’ll go further into detail below.
Other best home theater seating features include:
- Drop-down table
- Cupholders
- USB ports
- Adjustable headrests
- Variable lumbar support
A Note on Console Seating
Since they commonly come with consoles, multimedia seating or theater seating is also known as a console loveseat or a console sofa. But be aware: Not all console sofas and loveseats come with reclining mechanisms.
Shop Theater Seating at Bob Mills Furniture
Theater SeatingCustom Home Theater Seating Options
There are three main factors to consider when shopping for the best home theater seating. The first is determining how many seats you want. The second is which kind of upholstery is best for your living conditions. And lastly, you’ll want to decide on a reclining mechanism.
1. Seat Count
Some modular theater seating sets can link up to make a series of cinema-style seats. These are most often used in large home theater rooms that are miniature versions of the real deal. As you might’ve guessed, custom home theater seating falls on the higher side of the price spectrum.
Small home theater seating is more realistic for the everyday home theater layout. These multimedia seats are about the same size as stationary sofas and loveseats, but they do not connect like modular seating or a sectional sofa (although, some argue these are also theater seating).
It’s also a good idea to pay attention to what these seats are made of. Remember, you’ll probably be sitting on these seats for a while as you go through saga after saga of your favorite films. Material upgrades, such as high-density foam, sinuous springs, and pocket coils, will keep you comfy through every scene and will last longer than cheaper materials.
2. Upholstery
Upholstery plays an important role in deciding the type of theater seating you choose. That’s because some materials are made for lighter use, while others can withstand more wear and tear. Here’s a breakdown of popular upholsteries for theater seating.
Upholstered theater seating (such as those made of polyester, cotton, or a blend of synthetic fabrics) is generally the most affordable option on the market. However, seating made with these materials is vulnerable to stains, damage, and fading due to use. Overall, these aren’t the most kid- or pet-friendly, but with regular maintenance, they’ll still last a good amount of time.
Faux leather is a great way to get the look of leather at a fraction of the cost. In many cases, faux leather theater seating offers many of the benefits of genuine leather, such as durability and low maintenance. Plus, you don’t have to condition the surface, meaning these seating options are low-maintenance as well.
Leather is more resilient and comfortable than fabric upholstery or faux leather, but it costs more. On the bright side, it’s kid-friendly and easy to clean, but cleaning and conditioning these pieces twice a year is necessary to prolong the life, look, and comfort of these pieces.
3. Reclining Mechanism
Modern home theater seating is designed with every type of relaxer in mind. Take a look at the differences between reclining theater seats and who they’re best suited for.
- Manual reclining seating is great for media rooms with limited power outlets.
- Power reclining seating is made for those who like their relaxation automated — and have the outlet capacity.
- Power reclining + power headrest makes it easy to rest your head at a personalized angle.
- Power reclining + power headrest and lumbar is the ultimate splurge during movies, providing head and back support for those extra-long series.
How Much Does Theater Seating Cost?
Starting prices for theater seating can start at around $2,000 and go up from there. Factors like upholstery, reclining mechanisms, brand, and construction all affect how much each set of theater seating costs. For instance, a leather power reclining sofa with all the bells and whistles will most likely cost more than $3,000.
As always at Bob Mill’s Furniture, we offer promotions throughout the year, including sales on reclining furniture for your media room. Check out our promotions page to find solutions like a power recliner sofa or seats for home theater rooms when the cinephile bug bites.
Our Best Home Theater Seating Picks
Which kind of movie watcher are you? Here are four options our experts think every movie lover should consider.
Manual Reclining Theater Seating Pick: HomeStretch Living Room Gentry Red Leather Loveseat
This manual recliner loveseat in fiery red matches your passion for your favorite films. HomeStretch crafts this theater seating with overstuffed back and padded armrests to keep you comfortable — even when you’re on the edge of your seat. Once you’ve settled in for the good parts, pull the tab on the side and kick back to your preferred seating angle.
Theater Seating for Snacks and Devices: Corinthian Waylon Power Console Loveseat
This power recliner loveseat from Corinthian is more than meets the eye. At first glance, its stunning faux leather upholstery with fine stitching and track tufting captures your attention. Once you sit, discover a console with two cupholders to keep your favorite movie snacks and beverages within reach. Look a little closer and you’ll find two hidden cupholders — one beneath each armrest — along with USB ports to stay connected to your device.
Together with a durable hardwood frame and cozy power reclining, this two-seater loveseat recliner from the Waylon collection is a welcome addition to your movie-watching experience.
Customizable Theater Seating Pick: England Furniture EZ Motion EZ2200 Double Reclining Console Loveseat
With over 500 fabrics and leather options to choose from, England Furniture reclining sofa and loveseat pieces were made for discerning tastes. This double power reclining loveseat can be customized to match the design of any home theater setting. Whether you choose leather or upholstery, its handsome silhouette with block arms and square backs provides a minimal look that works with a variety of interior designs.
Theater Seating Splurge Pick: HomeStretch Nichols Triple Power Console Loveseat
Looking for an elegant home theater room? The Nichols triple power recliner from HomeStretch has all the luxury you could ever want for your movie marathons. Start by enjoying its plush upholstery wrapped around padded arms, split backs for extra support, and plush footrests. From there, you choose how to relax with a combination of reclining, headrest adjustability, and lumbar support to your preference. We give this 5/5 stars for comfort, design, and convenience.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with staging your movie room with a living room set. But for the next best thing to kicking back in front of the silver screen, theater seating is hard to beat. When seated on theater seating, each user can personalize the way they relax with upgrades like reclining, headrest adjustability, and even lumbar support.
Home theater seating is also great because it allows you to “cheat” at creating the optimum viewing angle. For example, some small rooms require seating to be a certain distance from a TV. Since theater seats recline, they allow you to create more distance between a screen and your point of view, enhancing how you see its pixels.
That’s all to say multimedia seating for the home is a great investment if you take your at-home visual entertainment and comfort seriously.
Theater Seating FAQs
What is the most comfortable theater seating?
The most comfortable theater seating uses high-density foam for cushioning, along with a series of coils for extra support. Coils come in a variety of designs, with sinuous wires and pocket coils providing some of the best comfort and support.
What should I look for in a home theater seat?
Your home theater seating should provide full-body support, including support in the lumbar and neck regions. You should look for seating that has head support, provides ample legroom, and reclines. Many home theater seats will recline 50 degrees, granting you the best in entertainment viewing.
Why Trust Us?
At Bob Mills Furniture, we believe that everyone is family. Since 1971, we have delivered beautiful furniture for 50 years (and counting), with ten sprawling locations in the U.S. — from our flagship store in Oklahoma City to San Antonio in Texas to Wichita in Kansas. Our friendly staff aims to offer the greatest comfort and value, with elegant styles to match your taste, décor, and design. In addition to coziness and style, we also stock furniture and mattress brands with strong reputations and track records of durability so that you can enjoy your investment for years to come.
Shop Theater Seating at Bob Mill’s
Start reveling in endless comfort and shop theater seating online for unbeatable prices at Bob Mills. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you best home theater seating — whether you call the Bob Mills Furniture store nearest you or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one our showrooms throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas to discover why we are everyone’s favorite local furniture store. Visit us today!
Learn More: 5 Top Recliner Picks