A blockbuster-designed media room really entertains at home. While a full-service home theater includes everything from the big screen and sound system to seating in a controlled environment, a family's media room can have multiple uses in a more relaxed social space.

Home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic has led to families engaging in everything from movie marathons to online gaming, often from the same communal space at different times, says Giles Sutton, senior vice president of Industry Engagement with Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association, based in Indianapolis.

"While people are spending more time at home with family, we are all aware of wellness and how one works and plays from home," Sutton said. "Now is the time when homeowners are considering how to upgrade the family room into one with a home entertainment system that can be used in many ways."

Sutton says there's an important distinction between having a home theater and creating a multiuse media room. "A dedicated home theater is often a space that is designed when building a house," he said. "The architecture of a home theater room should emulate that of a movie theater, which is, ideally, a larger enclosed, rectangular room with very little outside light, great acoustics and an immersive cinematic experience."

By contrast, a media room allows for a more flexible use of space and may require a smaller budget when compared to a home theater's top-of-the-line projector, screen and sound system. Because of advances in technology -- along with more affordable electronic componentry -- a media room can be easier for professionals to retrofit and a more realistic option for homeowners wanting to upgrade their home entertainment system.

But no matter how elaborate a home becomes with audio and visual equipment, Sutton says the first step toward a streaming media room is to make sure the internet connection is a robust one. While fewer wires may be needed as more electronic components become compatible with wireless equipment and controllers, the network for wireless systems still has to be hardwired into a home.

"Involve a certified integrator to make a technology plan for your media room before just adding the latest television technology and speaker system," Sutton said. "There's nothing worse than music or movie buffering due to a lack of Wi-Fi connectivity in your home."

Space

A media room can be open, both in design and functionality. Updating the audiovisual technology in a home with an open floor plan family room can make for a compelling couch-side cinematic experience, Sutton says. "Wherever the media room is located -- a converted garage, unused attic or basement -- the space should also be conducive to social interaction," he said. "Whether you're watching the big game or streaming a yoga session, the space needs to also feel comfortable."

Screen

After the space has been determined for a media room, the size and placement of the television screen is the next step. The picture should be large enough to be easily visible, but not so large that viewers have to crane their necks to take in all the on-screen action.

"Obviously, a 15-feet-wide screen wouldn't work in everyone's media room, but some people want to make that big statement," Sutton said. "The best in today's home electronics is more affordable and attainable than ever with a 4K ultra-high-definition television."

Seating

Creating the "best seat in the house" for everyone in the media room is not a task to take lying down. The size of the screen and the placement of the speakers are all interconnected to the seating setup.

Choose seating that is comfortable, but also opt for pieces that can be reconfigured and moved as needed in the media room. A sturdy sectional in an easy-to-clean neutral microfiber or denim fabric is a thoroughly modern and modular choice.

Surround-sound

Soft surfaces on the walls and floor -- such as curtains and carpeting -- cut down on disruptive echoes in a media room. "The quality of audio in thinner televisions is lacking, so it's important to strategically have speakers placed throughout the room," Sutton said.

For a proper surround-sound system, the media room setup requires two or more speakers in the front of the room -- from where the primary sounds emanate -- and two or more speakers toward the back of the room, which will fill in background sounds, such as birds chirping, dogs barking or water rushing.

Having a subwoofer speaker strategically placed on the floor or against a wall will help the low-pitched frequencies carry throughout the room.

Lighting

A media room setup shouldn't be made completely in the dark, either. While there shouldn't be a lot of ambient light in the room to cause glare on the screen, a completely dark room may strain eyes or cause a hazard, should someone have to leave while a movie is rolling.

Ideally, a media room should have soft ambient lighting, which is connected to a dimmer and adjusted by a single remote or voice-control device. If a television screen is mounted near a bank of windows, having motorized shades can draw the curtain on distractions.

While the do-it-yourself route may seem like a less-expensive alternative to setting up a media room, in the long run it's always better to have a technology strategy session with a professional, Sutton says.

"Now, through the aid of technology, there's a do-it-with-me movement, in which professional electronic designers and installers can ship the exact equipment you need and be available remotely to help the homeowner put components in place," Sutton said. "By planning with a professional, a homeowner can avoid the nest of cables and the purchase of unusable componentry, all while creating a show-stopping media room that can continue to grow with your needs."

Star-studded

Consult a local Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association professional to help create a personal home theater: www.cedia.org, click on the "Find a Pro" link.

Traditionally, the spring clean season is a rite of passage that involves deep cleaning a home from top to bottom. This year, however, spring cleaning has taken on a whole new meaning with the rise of the coronavirus pandemic, says Linda Cobb, former cleaning and disaster restoration company owner, Queen of Clean Media Group president and best-selling author of her eponymous books, based in Phoenix.

"I think the important thing to understand is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting. You can clean without disinfecting, but you can't disinfect without cleaning," she said. "Cleaning removes germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces or objects and works by using soap and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs, bacteria and viruses on surfaces or objects."

Seventy-eight percent of American households spring clean annually, according to the American Cleaning Institute's 2020 National Cleaning Survey. But with the shelter-in-place practices across the nation, and more people at home focusing on cleaning, ACI suspects even more will be spring cleaning this year, says the organization's spokesman, Brian Sansoni, based in Washington, D.C.

"Clearly, the benefits of good, targeted hygiene and cleaning are top-of-mind for many of us as we make our way through this coronavirus crisis," he said. "Great household hygiene starts with soap and water. Simply put, just wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. It is the easiest action you can take to help stay healthy, especially during the coronavirus crisis."

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released cleaning guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Sansoni advises regularly cleaning and disinfecting "high-touch hot spots," such as light switches, remote controls, door handles, kitchen and bathroom faucets, game consoles and appliance handles.

"Don't use social media as your go-to on the coronavirus. Many things that normally work to disinfect do not work on the coronavirus," Cobb said. "Many DIY disinfectants, such as those made with essential oils, do not work on this virus. Just because the label says 'disinfectant' doesn't mean it works on this virus."

Unexpired bleach and at least 70% isopropyl alcohol solutions are two household items that will disinfect as you deep clean, according to CDC recommendations. A diluted bleach solution of 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per 1 quart of water is effective for virus disinfection. Do not dilute solutions made with isopropyl alcohol, which is a disinfectant that is generally safe to use on all surfaces, according to Cobb.

"Wear gloves while using bleach, and never mix it with ammonia or anything except water," Cobb said. "Bleach can also corrode metal over time, so do not get into the habit of cleaning faucets and stainless steel products with it. Because bleach is harsh for many countertops as well, you should rinse surfaces with water after disinfecting to prevent discoloration or damage to the surface."

After continual disinfecting, your home may get a clean bill of health, but the rite of spring cleaning also encompasses decluttering. ACI's 2020 survey found that Americans prioritize their bedrooms (25%), closets (23%) and kitchen (22%) most frequently for spring cleaning, Sansoni says.

"Decluttering frees up space, especially when you get rid of items that are only gathering dust," he said. "Focus on priority areas instead of taking on the entire house at once. A room-by-room strategy works for many spring cleaners ... essentially, map it out, then carry it out."

Try to look at your home with new eyes. Walk backwards into a room or lie down in a bedroom for a fresh perspective. Tasks that make the checklist should include dusting cobwebs out of ceiling corners, cleaning light fixtures, vacuuming under furniture, scrubbing shelves and washing windows and their respective window treatments.

When starting the spring cleaning process, think of literally cleaning a space from top to bottom, because dirt from light fixtures and dust from furniture will fall onto the floors, which will be cleaned last. Invest in microfiber mops and cloths that capture the dirt instead of spreading dust around. Change the bag in the vacuum or empty dirt out of the canister before cleaning a room.

"Spring cleaning should be a clean and purge," Cobb said. "Donate, repurpose and toss the things you don't need. You can cut your cleaning time drastically by having less to move each time."

After making a clean sweep through a house, it's important for families to clean and disinfect as messes are made, especially during this time of self-isolation at home, Sansoni says. "Family life runs more smoothly when there is a shared responsibility for the housework. Whether it's a simple effort like putting dirty clothes in the hamper or a major job like washing the kitchen floor, almost every family member can contribute in some way that fits his/her age and other responsibilities."

Clean Sweep

-- CDC Cleaning Guidelines www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html

-- American Cleaning Institute's Cleaning Tips: CleaningInstitute.org

-- QueenofClean.com

When it comes to cooking at home, the kitchen's larder is large and in charge. Today's kitchen pantry not only stores food, it has also evolved into a work area that houses everything from large pots to small appliances. Now more than ever, people are relying on a well-appointed and stocked pantry to survive home isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, says Rebecca West, Seriously Happy Homes founder and CEO, based in Seattle. West is also one of the nearly 13,000 certified members of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

"Right now, people are hyper-aware of their own kitchen pantry and what's in it," she said. "These times of uncertainty see people going back to basics, and cooking is a way to connect and sustain those nearest to us."

A well-stocked pantry should be both appetizing and visually appealing by storing like items together, making foodstuffs easy to find. Modular storage racks make walk-in pantries customizable, allowing shelves to house everything from dried goods to wine.

In February, California Closets launched The Everyday System, a line of customizable organizational shelving units, in an exclusive license with Martha Stewart, lifestyle expert, teacher and founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. With a modern metal and wood design, this organizational system features minimal installation and seamless adjustability to fit most pantry spaces.

"It is vital to have an organized pantry in your kitchen, otherwise cooking and baking really are not all that fun," Stewart said. "We created The Everyday System to make organizing your pantry a breeze, with multiple different storage solutions such as shelves and wire baskets that have been fully incorporated within the unit."

Today's walk-in pantry can really get cooking by housing nearly everything, including a kitchen sink. Modular organizational units allow homeowners to take stock and spruce up a new or existing pantry. As more kitchen real estate is dedicated to the pantry, this space has evolved into a multifunctional storage place in the home.

The first step to organizing a pantry is prioritizing the needs of the space, says Erin Hardy, California Closets' national manager of design, based in Boston. "What you can store in a pantry is vast -- ranging from basic overflow kitchen items to food and wine, pet food, cleaning supplies and even extra countertop prep areas to extend a kitchen," she said. "Understanding the priorities will set the tone for the final design and organization."

Whether your space is as large as a butler's pantry or as small as a bookcase, the area in which you store your extra food items should have good ventilation and air circulation. Ideal pantry conditions include low humidity and a relatively cool temperature, not unlike other storage areas in the home.

"Today's pantry is to the kitchen what the master closet is to the bedroom," West said. "Organizing these storage spaces helps keep the mess out of the living areas and makes you more efficient."

While the walk-in variety may be the most mouth-watering of all pantry options, the space needs to be organized. Before catering to the impulse to build a large pantry that incorporates the mudroom and laundry room spaces, you must first have a plan; otherwise, there is the potential for the space to become a catchall.

"The pantry should be one of the most purposefully designed spaces. There needs to be a place for everything, so everything is put back in its place," West said. "Purge anything in your pantry that is an obstacle to you cooking or living your best life, which includes expired foodstuffs or small appliances you don't use."

Rollouts are especially good to use in cabinets, while trays and containers can organize items on shelves. When replenishing the pantry, place newly purchased food behind similar items to rotate the stock, so nothing will be used past its prime. Common sense dictates putting items used most frequently in easily accessible places at eye level. Also, make your pantry kid-friendly, so little hands can grab snacks for themselves.

Flours, sugars and other dried goods, such as beans and rice, are easier to use when contents are poured into clear, airtight containers, says West. This will not only help items stay fresh longer, but will also keep your pantry from becoming infested with pests. Keep potential drips off shelves by placing nonrefrigerated liquids -- such as vinegars and oils -- on trays in your pantry.

You don't need to be a world-class chef to enjoy a top-drawer pantry with a sink, countertops, small appliances, refrigerator drawer(s) and plenty of storage space. "As the kitchen becomes more of a social area, you want to keep countertops clear of clutter," West said. "The pantry is the utilitarian space that is going to help get the cooking done, but it's also a sacred space that houses the ingredients you use to feed your family."

Pantry Picks

To find a certified kitchen professional, go to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's website: www.nkba.org and click the "Find a Professional" box at the bottom of the page.

Martha Stewart's The Everyday System: CaliforniaClosets.com/martha-stewart/ and through California Closets design consultants. Pricing begins at $999.

Seattle Designer Rebecca West: HappyStartsAtHome.com