Congratulations! The fact that you are reading this article means you have already begun the most important job when it comes to installing home theater systems: planning. Like other home automation solutions, when it comes to adding a home theater to your house, it is crucial to create a plan that outlines exactly what you want and where you want it.

This is not a time to be impulsive. Don't buy surround sound speakers on a whim, or suddenly plunk down your credit card because you happen to see an HD projection system on clearance. There are many factors you have to consider before you start shopping. The following list will help you make a great start on planning which home theater equipment you want to buy, and how to think about the overall home theater installation.

First, you need to pick the room for your home theater. Shape and size are both important. Don't choose a square room, because your audio quality will suffer if you do. Square rooms create a phenomenon known as standing waves. This means so much bass emphasis is created, it wrecks your overall sound quality. The ideal proportions for your home theater space are rectangular dimensions that are not divisible by a common denominator. For example, don't use a room that measures 24 x 16 x 8; pick one with the dimensions of 23 x13 x 7.

After you consider the proportions, you need to decide how big the space for your home theater installation should be. How many people do you expect to regularly use your home theater? Will you furnish it with couches and chairs, or do you want to invest in stadium style seating—similar to the chairs in a movie theater? The most important rule to remember when considering the size of your home theater is this—the bigger the home theater, the bigger your screen, speakers and amplifiers will need to be.

When purchasing your home theater equipment, here's another helpful hint that some homeowners overlook—do not scrimp on the sound equipment because you used the majority of your budget on an HD projector or on furniture and lighting control. You should use half of your home theater equipment budget for speakers and amplifiers. Nothing is more unsatisfying or a bigger disappointment than having a gorgeous, breathtaking high-definition visual image accompanied by a weak, poor-quality soundscape.

Finally, choose which type of projector best suits your home theater installation. If the space you decide to use is on bright and has a fair amount of ambient light, you want an HDTV rear-projection set. But if you have your heart set on recreating a movie theater experience with a truly large screen, you will need a front projector. Always remember though, that front projectors have to have a dark room to work well. Ambient light falling on the screen will severely lower the picture's quality. On the other hand, if you do have a space that you can completely darken, front projectors offer stunning visual impact.

Whether you choose front or rear projection, a small cozy home theater for a few or a spacious replica of an art house film theater, invest your time in planning every detail, from each dollar you want to spend to the kind of chairs you want to sit in and you will be rewarded with a home theater installation that gives you years of enjoyment and satisfaction.