COMING ATTRACTIONS ... AT HOME THEATERS JUST THE TICKET FOR FAMILY ROOMS.

Byline: Diana McKeon Charkalis Lifestyle Editor

When Steve and Beth Manning moved into their new home in Valencia, they wanted a versatile family room - one that was bright and airy and afforded a lake view, but could also be converted into a dark and cozy home theater setting. Thanks to some clever design ideas and a bit of high-tech wizardry, they were able to do just that.

With the help of interior designer Pam Jaffke, they created a built-in media center, used a creative seating arrangement geared for both socializing and viewing, and installed concealed remote-control shades to darken the room at will.

``My husband thinks it's the coolest thing in the world because it's like James Bond,'' says Beth Manning of the shades they installed. ``We're really happy with the whole room. It's sophisticated but comfortable.''

According to statistics from the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, about 28 percent of U.S. households have home theater systems, which include everything from basic box kits for a few hundred dollars to more elaborate custom jobs costing upward of $250,000. But despite the growing legions of high-tech-hungry viewers, a dedicated home theater isn't practical for most people. So here are some tips from the experts on how to create a living space that integrates style and comfort along with your big-screen dreams.

CONSIDER ROOM SIZE: ``So many people will buy a TV that is way too large for the room,'' says Valencia interior designer Jaffke. A good rule of thumb for TV size that allows adequate space for seating is to take the diagonal measure of the TV (in inches) and multiply that number by three. Then divide it by 12 for the best distance from the TV (in feet) for viewing.

To further aid room planning, Davis Remignanti, lead design consultant for furniture.com, suggests visiting Web sites including his company's, which offer virtual room planners with movable images of furniture.

``These help you deal with the architecture of the room. If you go for a 65-inch projection TV, it's going to dominate the room. It won't show up in Architectural Digest, but you can still have a comfortable, well-designed room.''

LIGHTING: ``The big challenges people run into are windows and natural light,'' says Remignanti. ``It's the enemy of a well-designed media room.'' He suggests keeping windows to the left or right of the screen to avoid reflection or direct light.

Jaffke advises controlling the light with remote-control room-darkening shades. ``They're not that expensive, and what's nice about them is when you raise them they can be completely hidden. You can get the home theater experience without heavy draperies on the windows.''

Another tip from Remignanti: Use a neutralizing, flat gray paint behind the TV to maximize the quality of how colors look on screen.

FURNISHING: ``With multipurpose rooms, you don't have to let the rooms suffer because you want to have a TV in there,'' Remignanti says. He and Jaffke agree that sectionals are a comfortable alternative to the recent spate of designated home theater furnishings that recline and offer cup holders. Cube ottomans are also great for doing triple duty as storage, seating or accent tables for holding drinks or snacks.

Jaffke also installed an extended window seat in the Mannings' home, which she decorated with pillows. It's great for added seating when there's a crowd, as well as for storage. Similarly, she advocates choosing coffee and end tables with storage options for housing the overflow of videos and DVDs as well as board games for nonviewing occasions.

TV PLACEMENT: To enclose, or not to enclose, that is the question. New slim TVs with sleek designs may command center stage, but ``some people still want to hide them,'' Jaffke says. ``Usually the guy wants to show it off and the wife doesn't.'' And with plasmas dropping in price, there's also the allure of hanging the TV on the wall. But use caution, the experts note. Hanging it up may look great, but it requires a lot of support. Also, unless you want visible wires, it involves electrical expertise to conceal everything in the wall behind the TV.

Jaffke often advises clients to opt for an entertainment center that is also a piece of fine furniture. In one home, she chose a custom built-in that featured lighted shelving on both sides of the TV to display a glass and pottery collection.

``A lot of people will go out and buy all the components for a home theater, then they get it all home and it overpowers the room. Furniture manufacturers have come a long way in designing furniture for TVs.''

If you have a room that must do double duty, consider a piece of furniture for the television that has doors that can close in an innovative way, Remignanti says.

``You don't want the interior decor of the room to look like you've set up the room as an altar to the TV gods.''

When choosing a home entertainment center, be mindful of dust and poor ventilation, he says. A unit should be large enough to avoid stacking electronics - which can block vents and reduce performance. Adjustable shelving will allow enough room to wipe components clean frequently. Shutting cabinet doors when the system is not in use will keep dust under control. The entertainment center itself is actually a fine piece of furniture.

AUTOMATION: Room lights, window shades and screens that drop down from the ceiling can all be automated and dramatically change the look of the room. One of the hottest trends, says Josh Christian of DSI Technologies in Studio City, is using motorized screens and one-touch technology. ``We like to see a client with one remote that can lower the shades and dim the lights. That really makes it a high-performance multipurpose room.''

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Create a home theater that's right for you

Just add popcorn

David Kessler Studio

(2 -- 5 -- color) The media center in the Valencia home of Steve and Beth Manning, top left, features built-ins and concealed remote-control shades. It was created by interior designer Pamela Jaffke, top right, who also added an extended window seat for storage. In some homes, a single remote control, like the one pictured above, can be used to power all the equipment.

Photo by Pamela Jaffke

Terri Thuente/Staff Photographer

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer