Home Cinema & Theatre Room Renovation: The Complete Upgrade Guide

Everything you can do to transform an existing cinema room — from a single component upgrade to a complete reinvention

Home Cinema & Theatre Room Renovation: The Complete Upgrade Guide Everything you can do to transform an existing cinema room — from a single component upgrade to a complete reinvention Published June 2026 · Custom Controls · 25+ years designing and installing home cinema rooms One of the most common enquiries we receive is from […]

Kaleidescape Explained: Hardware, Movie Store and How to Choose Your System

A complete guide to the world's only high-fidelity movie platform — from an installer who uses it on every serious cinema project

Kaleidescape Explained: Hardware, Movie Store and How to Choose Your System A complete guide to the world’s only high-fidelity movie platform — from an installer who uses it on every serious cinema project Published June 2026 · Custom Controls · 25+ years installing home cinema systems Most of the questions we receive about Kaleidescape fall […]

Media Room vs Home Cinema: Which is Right for You?

A comprehensive guide laying out the differences between a Media Room and a Home Cinema Room.

Media Room vs Home Cinema: Which is Right for You? Published May 2026 · Custom Controls · 25+ years installing both It is one of the most common questions we are asked during a first consultation. A client has space, budget and an ambition for outstanding AV in the home — and they want to […]

Home Cinema Control Systems: Which One?

RTI, AVA, Crestron Home, Control4, Savant — an honest, independent comparison of the leading home cinema room control systems.

We do a deep dive in to the differences between a Media Room and a dedicated Home Cinema Room.

Crestron Home: The Complete Guide (2026)

Everything there is to know about Smart Home Automation

Crestron Home: The Complete Guide (2026) Published May 2026 · By Custom Controls · 25+ years as a certified Crestron dealer Everything there is to know about Crestron Home If you are researching smart home systems, you have almost certainly encountered Crestron Home. It appears on premium AV company websites, in luxury home specification documents […]

Bluesound & NAD Whole House Audio Systems

A complete guide to Bluesound & NAD whole house audio systems — audiophile nodes, rack-efficient multiroom amps, BluOS software, Roon & networks.

A complete guide to Bluesound & NAD whole house audio systems — audiophile nodes, rack-efficient multiroom amps, BluOS software, Roon & networks.

Building a Steinway Lyngdorf Home Cinema — The Complete Guide

A Complete Guide to the Design, Specification and Construction of a Reference Home Cinema

Custom Controls are authorised Steinway Lyngdorf dealers. Here we document the full specification and construction of a reference Steinway Lyngdorf home cinema — from room construction to RoomPerfect calibration.

Proactive Maintenance for Luxury Smart Homes

Why High-End Home Automation Systems Require Proactive Maintenance

Elevate your smart home’s resilience. Custom Controls delivers proactive remote monitoring and seamless upgrades for super-prime properties worldwide.

Why Your Home Wi-Fi Fails

The Hidden Barriers to High-Speed Living

Tired of Wi-Fi dead zones and buffering? Discover why standard ISP routers and Mesh systems fail in modern homes and how enterprise-grade WAPs, PoE technology, and professional hub optimization can unlock the full potential of your high-speed fibre connection.

Wifi Installation in Morzine

Reliable and Fast Wifi Installs

Wired or Wireless – high end Wifi and Security for your Alpine Chalet!

Lutron Palladiom Wireless Blinds

Easily add Motorised Blinds to any Home!

Lutron wireless blinds – easily add motorised blinds to any home with no cabling required!

Home Cinema Room - Emirates Hills, Dubai

A High End Home Cinema Room For a High End Villa

A High End Home Cinema Room Design for a High End Villa in Dubai’s Emirates Hills. A Luxury Cinema Room with Seating for 11 in Absolute Comfort.

Home Cinema Design, Knutsford Cheshire

A Design for a Dedicated Cinema Room in Knutsford, Cheshire

A luxury home cinema room design for a client in Knutsford, Cheshire. A very special cinema room with seating for 6 people in a cozy space.

Private Home Cinema Room - Chatel, France

A Private Home Cinema Room for a Ski Chalet in the French Alps

A Fantastic Private Home Cinema Room in Chatel, The French Alps. The Ultimate Home Cinema for the Ultimate Outdoor Playground!

Installing the Ultimate TV Sound System

A Guide to creating the Ultimate TV Surround Sound System

A Blog article showing every detail of the Ultimate TV Sound System. We cover the TV, Speakers and Room Aesthetics to create the perfect viewing experience!

St Georges Hill Home Cinema Room

A High End Cinema Room for a home in St Georges Hill, Weybridge

A High End Cinema Room for a home in St Georges Hill, Weybridge. A huge 5m projector screen, Trinnov Surround Sound and Seating for 6 in absolute comfort!

Luxury Home Cinema Installation Cheshire

Converting a Double Garage in to a Luxury Home Cinema Room in Cheshire

This unused double garage, measuring 18ft x 20ft (roughly 5.5m x 6m), has been transformed from an unloved space in to a luxury home cinema room capable of hosting friends and family in style.

Luxury Home Theater Room - Portugal

A Bespoke Home Theater Design for a Portugese Client

One of our Best Home Theater Designs for a Portugese Client. A Bespoke Theater Room with Seating for 11 and High End Theater Sound & Vision.

Crestron Heating & Cooling Integration

The Benefits of HVAC integration in to a Crestron Home Automation System

The benefits of integrating HVAC in to a Crestron Home Automation System. Increase Efficiency & Convenience, Lower Energy Use!

Living Room Home Cinema in North London

A Luxury Home Cinema System installed in a Living Room

A Stunning Living Room Home Cinema in North London. The full cinema experience, discreetly installed in a Living Room!

International AV Consultants

Covering Smart Home Automation, Lighting, Audio Video, Security & Networking.

Use local engineers to deliver a Custom Controls designed smart home system. All the benefits delivered in the most cost effective way possible.

The Ultimate Guide to Cinema Seating

Absolutely everything there is to know about Home Cinema Seating

Absolutely everything there is to know about Home Cinema Seating from options when choosing through to different styles and distance from the screen.

Basement Home Cinema Room - Berkshire

A Small Home Cinema Room delivering a BIG Home Cinema Experience!

One of our smallest Home Cinema designs delivering one of the BIGGEST Home Cinema Experiences! A stunning room!

The Ultimate Home Cinema Design Guide

Everything you need to design a home cinema that performs as well as it looks — from room acoustics and screen size to seating, lighting and control.

Everything you need to design a home cinema that performs as well as it looks — from room acoustics and screen size to seating, lighting and control.

Home Cinema Design - Manchester

A Challenging Home Cinema Design for a Converted Lounge

A stunning home cinema room designed for a very challenging lounge conversion! Thinking differently to deliver stunning cinema!

Home Cinema Room - Midlands, UK

A Stunning Home Cinema Room with Seating for Eight!

This stunning home cinema room design is for a Midlands based client. The room house eight people in absolute comfort, the home cinema system delivers an absolutely awesome experience!

Luxury Home Cinema Design - Abuja, Nigeria

Luxury Home Cinema at it's absolute best! A zero compromise cinema room in Abuja, Nigeria.

Home Cinema Rooms do not come more luxurious than this! A spacious 8.5m x 7m cinema room which is equipped with the very best technology and interior possible.

Crestron Touchpanels and Remote Controls

We look at the Crestron range of Touchpanels and Remote Controls

An article looking in to the various control surfaces from Crestron – from in-wall and table top touchpanels through to remote controls.

Family Home Cinema Room, Dubai

A Stunning Home Cinema Room for Family Movie Nights!

A fun filled Family Home Cinema Room for a client in Dubai! Perfect for Family movie nights.

Modern Home Cinema Room Cheshire

A Modern Home Cinema Room for a Cheshire Home

A Stylish & Modern Home Cinema Room installed in Prestbury, Cheshire. A very high end cinematic experienced enhanced by a stunning lighting design!

Krix Home Cinema London

A Very High End Home Cinema in London featuring Krix Speakers

This high end, 18 seater, home cinema in London features the very best Krix Speaker System!

Loft Home Cinema Room - Hertfordshire

Loft Home Cinema Room for a Hertfordshire Barn Conversion

A Stunning design for a Loft Home Cinema for a new barn conversion in Hertfordshire.

Bespoke IMAX Home Cinema Room - Dubai

High End IMAX Home Cinema Installation in Dubai, UAE

One of the best Home Cinema Rooms in the world! An IMAX Home Cinema Room with a HUGE specification. A must read!

Hampstead Home Cinema Room Design

A Very High End Home Cinema For a Beautiful Home in Hampstead

A very high end Home Cinema Room Design for a Client in Hampstead, London. Seating for 10 people in a beautiful classical room. A Must See!

Bowers & Wilkins Custom Theater 800 Cinema Room

Bowers & Wilkins Custom Theater 800 Cinema Room

A Simply Stunning Bowers & Wilkins Custom Theater 800 Home Cinema Room. Very high end with bespoke seating for up to 18 people! A Must See Case Study!

Home Entertainment Complex - Prestbury, Cheshire

Home Entertainment Complex - Prestbury, Cheshire

A Stunning design for a Home Entertainment Complex in Prestbury, Cheshire. A huge room featuring a Home Cinema, Pool Table, Lounge Area and Kitchen!

Small Home Cinema Room Design, London

A High End Immersive Cinematic Experience

One of our smaller Home Cinema Rooms – yet it delivers a stunning and immersive audio video experience! Seating for up to 9 people in comfort!

Home Cinema Room Design - District One, Dubai

A Beautiful Home Cinema Room in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Dubai

A beautiful Home Cinema Room Design for a Villa in District One, Dubai. Seating for 9 people in a stunning home cinema room!

Home Cinema Room Design - Al Barari, Dubai

A Stunning Home Cinema Design for a Villa on the Al Barari Estate

A full write up for this extremely high end home cinema room design for a basement in the Al Barari estate, Dubai. Seating for 12 people in absolute luxury!

TOP 5 LIVING ROOM TV SOLUTIONS

We share our Top 5 Living Room TV Solutions

Our Top 5 Solutions for integrating TVs in to Living Spaces – the options are many. A must read if researching how to install your TV in the living Room!

Home Cinema Garage Conversion - Hale, Cheshire

Home Cinema Garage Conversion - Hale, Cheshire

A Home Cinema Garage Conversion in Cheshire, Hale. A stunning Home Cinema Room with HUGE projection screen and Sony laser projector!

HOME CINEMA ROOM DESIGN – NIGERIA

Stunning Cinema Room Design Meets One of The Best Home Cinema Systems

When a client based in Abuja, Nigeria asked us to design a Home Cinema Room for his home he had one brief – quality. As experts in cinema design we are used to maximising return for a clients budget –

FACIAL RECOGNITION SECURITY SYSTEMS

Integrating Facial Recognition in to Security Systems & Home Automation

In recent years biometric finger print access has been used to replace security codes and security alarm fobs for convenience and heightened security. However we always been slightly

HOME WIFI – WIRED WIFI VS MESH WIFI

How to improve Wifi in a residential setting

In the modern home WiFi should be treated as a utility – everyone needs it and it should be fast, reliable and always available. Unfortunately the ISP provided routers are generally low quality and built to very tight budgets. This can result in a

CRESTRON SYSTEMS FOR DISABLED CLIENTS

How Home Automation Can Make Life Easier

A Crestron Home Automation system can make life a lot easier for clients with a disability such as reduced mobility, vision or hearing. A well installed system can increase independence and reduce the need for careers.

ULTIMATE GAMING ROOMS

A Gaming Oasis installed in a family home

Our Home Cinema Rooms aren’t solely for movie nights with the family – they also perform stunningly well as gaming rooms. High end surround systems fully immerse the player with audio coming from all sides, behind and even the ceiling! The

CRESTRON QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

Answers to the Most Common Crestron Questions

We have answered the most common questions asked about Crestron Home Automation systems so whether you have just heard the term and need to know what it is or you have a complete Crestron system installed in your home, the answer

AN IN DEPTH LOOK AT TRINNOV AUDIO

Why Choose a Trinnov Home Cinema?

OK, You are in the market for a Home Cinema to be installed in your home by a home cinema installation company. Why would you choose a Trinnov system? What does it offer over a high end AVR from the likes of Anthem or Denon? It costs a

HOW WE WORK WITH ARCHITECTS AND INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Ensuring Complete Client Satisfaction

We regularly work with Architects and Interior Designers to deliver their vision of a client space. We are Home Technology specialists which means we can simply the process of integrating home technology in to a home and crucially

WHAT IS A LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM?

A Beginners guide to Lighting Controls

What do you think of when you think about home lighting? Perhaps it’s the bulb hanging from the pendulum fitting in your living room. Maybe it’s the standard lamp in the corner. There are a few variations on the theme, but that pretty much covers

HOME AUTOMATION? WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT?

An in depth explanation of Home Automation & Smart Home Technology

Everything these days is “smart”, from your smartphone through to smart TVs. You might be able to remember when all this technology began to be introduced – it wasn’t that long ago. Like every new

DOUBLE GARAGE HOME CINEMA CONVERSION

Converting an Used Double Garage in to a Bespoke Home Cinema Room

Double Garages can be the perfect space to transform in to a stunning, bespoke home cinema room. Very few people actually park cars in their garages nowadays as cars get bigger and the

BESPOKE HOME CINEMA ROOM DESIGN

A Stunning Bespoke Home Cinema Room Design for a London based Client

A Stunning Bespoke Home Cinema Room Design for a London based Client

We love designing home cinema rooms and this client came to us with the perfect brief – “Please convert this unused room in my home in to a bespoke home cinema room.” The client pointed us in the

MOVIE ASPECT RATIOS EXPLAINED

Widescreen, 16:9, 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 – What!?!

Movie aspect ratios seem very confusing! What do they mean and how do you decode them?

In the good old days with 14″ portable TVs which were as deep as they were wide we used to watch TV on a 4:3 (or 1.33:1)

SAMSUNG THE FRAME TV

A Totally New Approach to Installing TVs

The new Samsung “The Frame” TV is one of the best products we have seen for some time. Normally we balance TV picture quality with aesthetics – normally choosing Samsung TVs to go in our home entertainment systems due to the great

LIGHTING & AV CONSULTANTS IN LONDON

Specialist Lighting & Audio Video Consultancy in London

As Custom Installers we design and install high end lighting and audio video distribution systems. We fully appreciate that our high end systems are not suitable for every home being built and for every client, however we do feel every new build

SPOTLIGHT ON ORIGIN OUTDOOR

Using Origin Acoustics Outdoor Speakers

We regularly install audio solutions in to swimming pools, terraces and gardens but they can be very tricky places to make audio sound good – particularly if the area is also a video zone with the need to hear voices clearly. Our usual audio distribution

THE C SEED OUTDOOR CINEMA SOLUTION

Using C Seed to Install the Perfect Outdoor Home Cinema

Outdoor cinema makes perfect sense in climates warmer than most of the UK. Our Clients in Dubai and Africa spend huge amounts of time outdoors – hosting dinner parties and enjoying time in their swimming pools. The logical extension to

INTRODUCING AGATH MIRROR TV

High End TVs hidden behind Mirrors!

Agath Mirror TV solutions have been featuring in our whole home audio video installations for some time – traditionally with a small mirror TV at the end of the bath or in the shower. They are a great way to relax and catch up with recorded TV

Home Cinema Acoustic Treatments

How We Design & Install Home Cinema Acoustic Treatments

Acoustic treatments are fundamental to delivering a good home cinema room. It is important to minimise unwanted reflections in a room across all frequencies – so no boomy bass or “chattery” spaces.

INTRODUCING CINEAK HOME CINEMA SEATING

High Quality & Hugely Flexible Home Cinema Seating

We have been specifying and installing Cineak Home Cinema Seating for years (our earliest case study with it is our Dubai Home Cinema Room) for a few simple reasons:

• The range is huge. There is literally

CHOOSING HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS

Follow our Guide to Choosing Home Security Systems

Unfortunately a good home security is a necessity in the modern world but there are so many options! Follow our guide to choosing home security systems. Most people look around at their neighbours homes to get the contact of a local alarm

AMAZON ALEXA FOR MULTI-ROOM AUDIO

Amazon Alexa – The future of Multi-Room Audio?

There is no doubt voice control is here to stay and leading the charge is Amazon Alexa. The convenience of being able to start and stop your favourite music simply by talking to Alexa is revolutionary – and that is only one trick up Alexa’s sleeve.

Home Cinema Lighting Design

How to Design the Perfect Home Cinema Lighting

Home Cinema lighting design is crucial to creating an enjoyable home cinema room. Lighting levels should be just right to create the perfect environment!

GARDEN HOME CINEMA ROOMS IN LONDON & CHESHIRE

Garden Home Cinema Rooms – Create the Perfect Home Cinema.

Building a garden room can be an easy way to add value and space to your home – transforming the old patio at the bottom of the garden in to a stunning room which is isolated from the rest of the property. A

THE ULTIMATE SMART HOME AUTOMATION GUIDE

Everything there is to know about Smart Home Automation

Smart Home Automation systems allow complete control of your home while home or away – providing convenience, comfort and security. Most home automation systems come complete with some form of Artificial Intelligence – for example a

40 Home Cinema Ideas — Real Rooms by Award-Winning Installers

40 real home cinema rooms — dedicated screening rooms, garage conversions, basement cinemas and living room setups. Award-winning UK installers since 1998. See the full gallery.

From intimate screening rooms to full IMAX-spec installations, Custom Controls has been designing exceptional home cinemas since 1998. See what’s possible.

VISIT THE ARTCOUSTIC SHOWROOM IN CHELMSFORD

Experience one of the Best Home Cinema Systems in Europe!

Experience the Artcoustic Range of Multi-Room Audio and Home Cinema Speakers in absolute comfort! One of the best Showrooms in the UK!

SPECIFYING HOME CINEMA SCREENS

Ensuring you have the right size Projection Screen

Choosing the right size home cinema screens is crucial to designing a successful cinema space – but it is a tricky thing to get right! Before working out sizes there are a couple of decision points – is this a dedicated cinema or a room

TOP 5 POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CRESTRON DEALER

How to choose a Crestron Dealer? Top 5 Things to Consider.

So, you have decided on a Crestron home automation system – you have done your research and have a rough idea of costs – how do you choose a Crestron dealer to work with? This is a crucial question and

HOME CINEMA DESIGN FOR GHANA

Home Cinema Design for a Ghana Private Cinema Room

Our high end Home Cinema Designs all benefit from full renders – allowing clients to visualise the space before construction begins. This home cinema design for ghana has been produced to show a client the home cinema room designed to fit in a

Specifying Home Cinema Projectors

Choosing Home Cinema Projectors For Cinema Rooms

There are a huge array of home cinema projectors available so how do we choose which model to install in our home cinema and home theater rooms? We have a number of criteria which we evaluate when proposing a projector for a

CRESTRON VOICE CONTROL – ALEXA, SIRI & GOOGLE HOME

Crestron Voice Control with Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri & Google Home

It’s not that long ago that controlling your home via your voice would of seemed particularly far fetched. Voice control in cars had been around in niche vehicles for some time but was fairly unreliable and

CASE STUDY:- SONOS MULTI-ROOM AUDIO INSTALLATION PUTNEY, SW15

Sonos Multi-Room Audio & Home Cinema – Putney, SW15

One of our simpler jobs –Multi-Room Audio Installation Sonos London (Putney, SW15) – this client got in touch as she had just purchased a new home which was wired for Multi-Room Audio but had no sources in place. She has Sonos

BOWERS & WILKINS SPEAKERS – B&W DEALER & INSTALLER

We supply the full range – Custom Install to Cabinet Speakers

We are very pleased to be a partner of the British speaker manufacturer B&W. We have access to the full range of equipment, from their custom install range to the 800 series speakers installed in

SMART HOME VS HOME AUTOMATION VS CONNECTED HOME

Home Automation, Smart Homes and Connected Homes – Explained

Smart Home vs Home Automation vs Connected Home – With the rise of the Internet of Things more and more people are realising the benefits of an intelligent home. New products from the likes of

LUTRON LED LAMPS

Lutron Homeworks QS, Quantum and Grafik Eye Compatible LEDs

Lutron lighting control systems excel at energy efficient mood lighting and automated lighting controls – however specifying compatible Lutron LED lamps has always been far from straightforward. Cheaper LED lamps can change colour

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A SMART HOME SYSTEM?

8 Ways Smart Home Technology can benefit Home Owners.

What are the Benefits of a Smart Home System? Smart Home Systems are becoming more and more common, with a huge number of devices becoming “Smart Home Enabled”. A huge number of manufacturers are making enabled

LUTRON LIGHTING VS KNX VS Z-WAVERF – WHICH IS BEST?

Three of the most capable lighting control systems, compared by specialists who install them all. Independent advice from Custom Controls, est. 1998.

Three of the most capable lighting control systems, compared by specialists who install them all. Independent advice from Custom Controls, est. 1998.

UPGRADE TO A LUTRON OR CRESTRON LIGHTING SYSTEM

We specialise in upgrading Mode, iLight, Vantage & Rako Lighting.

Due to the huge flexibility of Lutron and Crestron lighting control systems we can guarantee to upgrade old, obsolete lighting control systems to modern, efficient and reliable versions. We have a number of

CRESTRON VS SAVANT – WHICH IS BEST??

Crestron and Savant Smart Home Systems Explained

If you are planning to install a Smart Home system in to a residential property you will probably come across Crestron and Savant (and Control 4 but we have that covered here). These companies are the two main players in the residential smart

SPOTIFY INTEGRATION IN TO A HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Integrating Streaming Services into a Home Entertainment System

Spotify Integration is a great feature of our home entertainment systems. There is no doubt that the future of music streaming around the home is internet based – services such as Spotify, Pandora and

CRESTRON INTERCOM SOLUTIONS

Using a Crestron Home Automation System for Intercom Functions

Update! Crestron have just partnered with 2N – a high end IP based intercom company. This allows us a huge range of door intercom stations (from a simple camera, microphone and bell right through

ENERGY MONITORING AND SMART HOME AUTOMATION

Using Smart Home Automation Systems for Energy Management

Smart Home Automation systems excel in new build properties – more and more new build properties have high amounts of insulation and renewable energy elements. Our Smart Home systems increase

HOME AUTOMATION FOR LARGE HOMES

Why Home Automation Systems Excel in Large Homes

A well designed, installed and programmed home automation system is a convenient way to control electrical devices in the home. Touchpanels and iPads allow simplified control of different subsystems and whole house pages allow

Crestron vs Lutron vs Control4: An Expert Comparison

After 25 years installing all three, our engineers give an honest, independent assessment. No brand loyalty — just the right system for your home.

After 25 years installing all three, our engineers give an honest, independent assessment. No brand loyalty — just the right system for your home.

WHAT CAUSES FALSE ALARMS IN WIRELESS HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS?

Troubleshoot Your Wireless Alarm System

Wireless home security systems are becoming more common – even in high end homes due to ease of installation and incredibly long battery life. Wireless can be a great way to expand a pre-installed system – for instance enhancing a home

THE ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF A HOME LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM

Is a Home Lighting System always a good idea?

First of all we need to lay our cards on the table – if we were embarking on a new build or renovation project a lighting control system would be the number one requirement. If budget was an issue we would install a lighting control system

HOME CINEMA SPECIALISTS – CALIBRATION EXPERTS

Make Sure Your Cinema is Performing at its Absolute Best!

As Home Cinema Specialists we are experts at designing and installing Home Cinema systems. For each and every system we install we preform a full calibration service – after all the best equipment in the room needs setting up

HIGH END HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS

The World’s Best Home Music Systems

Our bespoke Home Entertainment Installations are the best available – hugely flexible installations allow any source to be distributed to any room. Our systems allow centralised sources such as Sky HD, Apple TV and Movie servers to be