Make your winter movie nights more memorable with the best possible setup. From homemade snacks to super-fast internet, here’s everything you need.
What makes the ultimate home movie night? Is it comfy seating, covered with lush blankets and mountains of throw pillows? Or is it a big screen and awesome sound? No matter your style, we have a few ideas to take your movie night to the next level.
1. Quality internet
When it comes to a movie night at home, you can go as big and bold as you like. Get a bartender, a popcorn machine and a screen so clear you’ll never want to leave home and battle the cinema complex crowds again. But all of it will be worthless if your internet can’t keep up. In the age of online streaming, the success of any movie night hangs on the quality of your connection.
Optus 5G Home Internet is Australia’s best 5G home broadband service. Thanks to its super-speediness, you can download movies fast, and stream without the dreaded buffering. The Optus 5G Internet Entertainer plan has a current typical busy period download speed of 225Mbps (7-11pm). Fetch mighty is included in the plan for easy streaming and entertainment options.
Enjoy smooth viewing with 5G Home Internet. Picture: Pexels
2. Excellent snacks
One of the many perks of watching a movie at home is that you can eat whatever you like. You don’t have to rely on heavily marked-up popcorn and choc-tops (not that these don’t have their place in the world). Get crafty with a home air fryer for crispy, crunchy snacks. Better yet, craft a themed, three-course meal to go with your movie. Enjoy some ratatouille with Ratatouille or take in Crazy Rich Asians while snacking on some hawker stall-worthy laksa.
3. Snuggle up
Some cuddly blankets will not only improve your winter movie night, they can also up your decor game. Aussie brand Seljak makes stylish and sustainable blankets out of recycled wool, while family-owned St Albans offers colourful and responsibly-sourced cotton and Alpaca throws. Finding it hard to leave the day’s troubles at the door? A weighted blanket can help alleviate anxiety.
Blankets are stylish accessories and practical additions to your living room. Picture: Pexels
4. A ‘home assistant’
Who needs to be fussing around with remotes and light switches when you can yell at a computer to do it for you? While you’re not likely to invest in a Google Home system just for your movie night, it can certainly make the process easier. A lot of living room tech, from our screens to our speakers, now come with the ability to be connected to a smart home device. Why not take advantage? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to adjust the volume or dim the lights without having to interrupt your comfy sitting position?
5. Mood lighting
Don’t have a dimmer switch? Wireless lighting systems like Phillips Hue offer smart, portable solutions for crafting mood lighting. Operated via an app, you can even save preset lighting modes for different scenarios, from parties to movie nights. Don’t have the budget for smart lighting? There’s always the old-fashioned options of candles, lamps or even a night light.
A movie night isn’t complete without cosy lighting. Picture: Pexels
6. Portable speakers
Your TV may have great speakers, but if you’re watching via a computer or laptop, you may want the added clarity of a separate speaker. Nowadays, bluetooth speakers come at a range of prices, although oftentimes price is indicative of quality. If you simply want to watch a film with better sound quality, a speaker of around $200-$300 should offer a quality sound experience without skimping on features like battery life or pairing distance.
7. Watching in bed?
Watching a movie on your laptop from the comfort of your bed? Don’t toil away hunched over your device or sit with the screen inches from your eyeballs. Invest in a laptop stand or tablet holder to support your device – and don’t forget something to support your spine too! An extra pillow or cushion could do the trick, but why stop there? There is a whole market of ‘sit-up pillows’ to give you a bit of added support in bed, on the floor or on the couch.
This article was originally published on 24 May 2021 at 9:08am but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.
Conclusion
With these seven essential elements, you can create the ultimate home movie night experience. From fast internet and delicious snacks to cozy blankets and smart home devices, every detail matters. Whether you’re a fan of action movies, rom-coms, or documentaries, a well-planned movie night can bring people together and create lasting memories. So why not get creative, get cozy, and make your next movie night one to remember?
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