Are Media Rooms Popular in Australia?

In recent years, custom media rooms have moved from a luxury feature to a lifestyle essential for many Australian homeowners. With more people spending time at home, entertainment spaces have become a defining part of modern interior design — especially in Melbourne, where architecture blends comfort, technology, and creativity.

A custom media room is more than just a home theatre; it’s a multifunctional space designed for movies, gaming, streaming, and music — all enhanced with premium sound, high-definition visuals, and intelligent design. Across Melbourne and greater Australia, demand for personalised home entertainment spaces has surged as families seek to recreate cinema-quality experiences in the comfort of their own homes.

1. Why Media Rooms Are Gaining Popularity in Australia

Several factors have contributed to this growing trend:

1. Smart Home Integration – The rise of automation systems has made it easier than ever to manage lighting, sound, and screens through a single touch.
2. Streaming Culture – With platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Stan dominating entertainment, Australians now prefer cinematic experiences at home.
3. Luxury Property Trends – In high-end Melbourne homes, a custom media room has become a key selling point for property value.
4. Hybrid Living Spaces – Post-pandemic design shifts have seen media rooms double as family hubs, game zones, or music lounges.
5. Repurposing vacant bedrooms –  Across Australia, homeowners are increasingly converting underused spare bedrooms into compact media rooms or gaming rooms with a feature media wall —adding blackout blinds, basic acoustic treatment and wired networking—to gain year-round entertainment without major renovations.

2. Increasing Property Value

In Melbourne’s competitive property market, features that stand out make all the difference. A professionally designed custom media room can significantly boost your home’s appeal to buyers seeking modern luxury and convenience.

3. Family and Social Connection

In today’s fast-paced world, families are rediscovering the joy of spending quality time together. A custom media room offers the perfect setting for shared experiences — whether it’s a Friday night movie, intense gaming tournament, or live sports event.

• Encourages togetherness without leaving home
• Reduces screen time spent in separate rooms
• Creates an immersive environment for bonding and relaxation

It’s no surprise that many Melbourne families now see their media room as the heart of the home — a space that blends entertainment, connection, and comfort.

4. Adaptability and Personalisation

Unlike generic home theatre setups, custom media rooms are tailored to suit personal preferences. Homeowners can choose everything from the room layout and acoustic materials to the type of seating, lighting, and automation system.

Personalisation options include:

• Tiered or lounge seating layouts
• Custom cabinetry and media consoles
• Themed interiors (modern, industrial, or cinematic)
• Hidden technology and cable-free design

Each room becomes a unique expression of its owner’s style — a hallmark of Australian home design.

5. The 7 Biggest Media-Room Trends (Australia)

1. Multipurpose over dedicated – lounges or games room that moonlight as cinemas with concealed acoustics and blackout.
2. Big TV first, projector when it fits – 98″ TVs in bright spaces; UST/short-throw + ALR screens in darker rooms.
3. Acoustic comfort as a design brief – hidden absorbers/diffusers and proper noise isolation.
4. Wellness & fatigue reduction – warm evening CCT, bias lighting, flicker-free dimming.
5. Streaming-led sources – robust networking and higher-fidelity services for film/music lovers.
6. Smarter storage & joinery – soundbars, subs and cabling disappear into custom cabinetry.
7. Resale appeal – agents increasingly highlight “cinema/media room” in premium listings.

6. What Actually Matters (More Than the Brand List)

• Sightlines & viewing height: keep image centre close to seated eye height (≈ 1,000–1,100 mm) and a 30–40° horizontal FOV (≈ 1.2–1.6× screen width).
• Room proportions & seating: avoid square rooms; allow 800–1,000 mm walkways; add a modest riser for a second row.
• Acoustics before wattage: a handful of broadband panels and bass control beats overspending on speakers.
• Light control: blackout for films; warm, dimmable scenes for everyday TV; bias lighting behind TVs.
• Networking: run wired Ethernet to the rack and display; reserve Wi-Fi for low-stakes devices.

7. Budget Benchmarks (Very Rough)

• $5–15k: Big TV, quality soundbar + sub or a 5.1 floorstanding speaker system, blackout and basic acoustics (living-room media zone).
• $20–45k: 85–98″ TV or entry projector + ALR screen, in-wall LCR/surrounds, dual subs. 
• $50k+: Dedicated room—4K/8K projector + acoustically transparent screen, 7.x.4 or 9.x.x concealed speakers & subwoofers, sound isolation, stretch-fabric walls, acoustic treatment, lighting scenes, luxury recliners, custom cabinetry, full calibration.

While the upfront investment can be significant, the long-term value and enjoyment make it worthwhile — especially when integrated into a broader smart home system.

Spend 15–25% of the AV budget on acoustics and light control; it’s the difference between “loud” and good.