When you’re setting up your home theatre, one of the main challenges is hiding the projector.
It’s not always easy to find a place to put it where it’s not visible, but with these tips, you can make sure that it blends in perfectly with your décor.
Read on for ideas on how to hide your projector.
How to hide a projector?
1. Custom-Made Soffit
If you’re looking to set up a home theatre, one of the best ways to hide your projector is by using a custom soffit. A soffit is a box, usually made of wood, that is designed to match the aesthetics of your room and is placed around the projector.
This is a popular solution for home theatre setups because it requires very little work and is relatively affordable.
When building a projector housing, the most important factor to consider is proper ventilation. The projector needs adequate airflow to keep it cool, so make sure to leave plenty of openings for air to circulate.
Depending on your setup and projector you may need to install additional cooling fans to keep the soffit well ventilated. Some soffits may require an additional trap door installed to provide easy access to the projector.
Check out this video explaining how to create your own custom soffit:
2. Place a wall
You can hide your projector by building a wooden barrier around the projector. The housing should be open in the front and on the bottom.
The housing will only cover a portion of the projector, so there’s no need for cooling equipment. You can also leave a few inches around the projector so that you can upgrade to a new one in the future without worrying that it won’t fit.
3. Hide it behind a wall
You can also place a projector in a closet or an unused room, similar to a cinema. The projector will stay hidden, except for the lens, which will come out through a hole in the wall.
The projector should be mounted close to the ceiling so that the hole will be less noticeable.
4. Hide it behind a screen
There are projectors that allow you to put the projector behind the screen. This is called a rear-projection system.
You will need a special screen and some extra equipment so that the image appears correctly on the screen. For this type of setup, you will need a bit of open space behind the screen for the projection gear.
5. Place on a shelf
You can use a piece of furniture that is a suitable size to support the projector, making sure there is enough ventilation for heat to escape.
6. Hide it in the ceiling
If you do not like to have your projector insight, hiding the projector in the ceiling might be the only option.
You will need a pedestal, a motorized mechanism, electrical power, and enough space to hide the projector.
You’ll also need to add ventilation, cooling equipment, and electrical power to drive the motor of the lift that will move the projector in and out of hiding.
Hiding the projector above the ceiling can be a labor-intensive and expensive project, but it’s well worth it for a home theatre setup.
Check out this video for the tools needed and how it’s done:
7. Consider a short-throw projector
Short throw projectors can create large images at much shorter distances, making them ideal for those who have smaller spaces.
Since short throw projectors can be placed closer to the screen, you can place the projector closer to the floor without having to worry about finding a place to hide it.
8. Use a cabinet
If you do not want to hide your projector on the ceiling, you can place it in a cabinet. The cabinet can be attached directly to the wall.
The cabinet is more likely to blend in with your decor compared to having a projector exposed in the open.
Make sure you have the correct distance and angles before attaching the cabinet to the wall. Reversing and correcting mistakes with this type of setup can take up a lot of time.
Check out this video for this type of projector setup:
FAQ
How to hide a projector screen?
Types of Projector Screens
Instead of trying to hide your projector screen, get familiar with the many types so that you can work more efficiently.
Portable Screens
Portable projectors are a great investment because they can be moved from one place to another without having to deal with too many issues. They’re also cheap and provide quality entertainment anywhere you want it.
There are different types of portable projector screens that come in different sizes. They are all easy to carry around and store away when not in use.
Retractable projector screens
Retractable projector screens are a great way to project without the need for an elaborate setup. The screen will retract and descend automatically with a press of a button on its remote. This p
There are two types of retractable projector screens, manual and motorized. With a manual screen door, you have to pull it down and push it into its housing by hand.
But with a motorized screen door, you can just press a button on the remote control and it will pull the screen down and up automatically.
How to hide a projector in the ceiling?
Hiding a projector can be a bit tricky, but it’s definitely doable. There are a few things you’ll need to consider before getting started.
First, decide if you want to hide just the screen or the entire housing.
If it’s just the screen, you can simply install the projector housing to your wall or ceiling, set up your projector and other electronics and your movie night is ready.
However, if you want to completely hide the screen and its housing, this will require a bit more planning and effort.
Coffered Ceiling
One way to hide a projector screen is by putting it on the ceiling. This is a popular way to do it because it looks good and doesn’t ruin the appearance of your home. It also goes well with modern décor.
This type of installation is easy to create space for the projector screen. The electrics will be hidden, and you can use a coffered ceiling to hide the projector.
Flush Ceiling
A flush ceiling is a great option for hiding a projector. It’s plain and doesn’t have any indentations or protrusions, making it the perfect choice for a home theatre setup.
If your ceiling sits low, or you don’t want a baroque coffered ceiling, a flush ceiling is recommended. To keep the setup looking seamless, make sure the screen’s housing is the same color as your ceiling.
how to hide a projector outside
How to hide a fixed projector screen?
If your projector screen is not coming down from the ceiling, you can try these methods to hide it.
But if your projector screen is fixed in place, you will need to find a way to hide it or make it less noticeable.
This can be difficult because there is no mechanism to hide it like there is with retractable screens. This is why people are usually willing to put up with the trouble and time needed to set up a retracting screen in their ceilings.
If you want a fixed projector screen and you also want to be able to hide the screen, then you don’t have many options. You can hide the projector screen by moving a piece of furniture in front of it or by hanging some window blinds and sliding them across when you’re not using the projector.
How to hide a Halloween projector?
Where you put your projector will affect how easy it is to hide it. Using a projector on the floor should be your last resort.
That’s because if anything blocks the image, it will ruin the illusion. This includes people walking in front of it.
If you want to hide your projector, remember to never cover the fan. If you do, the projector might overheat. Also placing the projector in a higher place will make it easier to hide.
Do not direct the light from the lamp at people’s eyes. It is too bright and can be dangerous. Keep it at a level where it is not harmful.
Ceiling Mounted Projector
If you have a ceiling-mounted projector that needs to be hidden, an easy way to do this is by creating a temporary box. This can be done by using materials that you may have around the house, such as cardboard or wood.
You can also paint or place stickers on the cardboard to match it with the rest of the Halloween theme.
Use Holloween Decor
The best way to hide a projector for a home theatre setup is to find a decoration that can easily conceal it. If you plan on placing the projector on the ground, you can cover it with a fake jack-o-lantern.
Just keep in mind to have enough space and holes for the projector to breathe and ventilate.
You can also hide your projector by using cemetery decorations. You can put tombstones all around the projector to cover it up.
Just make sure that the projector lamp is not blocked. If it is mounted on a wall or ceiling, then most Halloween decorations will work perfectly.
White Sheets
Similar to using Halloween decorations, you can also hide your projector by using white sheets you might already have at home. The idea is to make ghosts out of the sheets. You can make one or multiple ghosts, depending on how many sheets you have. Avoid wrapping the sheets around the projector.
One way to improve this type of setup is to use white shower curtains instead of white sheets. Shower curtains are more durable and easier to clean than sheets.
You can also add some red food coloring onto the sheets. This will give your ghosts a bloody look, which is perfect for Halloween.
However, if you are using white sheets, you might have a tough time removing the food coloring. That’s why shower curtains are recommended for this step.
How to hide projector wires and cords?
It can be a real pain trying to hide all those cords and wires when setting up your home theatre.
But don’t worry, with a little bit of creative thinking you can have them neatly out of sight in no time. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Cord Cover
Cord covers are a great way to keep your cables organized and tangle-free. They can be attached to your wall or ceiling for a clean home theatre setup.
If you plan to use a cord cover:
- First, measure the distance from the projector to the power outlet. Make sure to get your measurements correct so the wires can still reach the outlet.
- Clean the area where you plan to mount the cord covers.
- Then cut the cord cover to the desired length.
- Place double-sided tape on the backside of the cord cover.
- Peel off the paper backing and stick it to the wall or ceiling. If you want something that’s more permanent, you can use screws.
- Slide the covers off and insert your wires then slide the covers back on when you’re done.
You can also paint these cord covers to match your room decor.
Check out this video showing you how to use cord covers:
2. Tucking wires
Crown molding is great for hiding the wires of your projector. If you have any along the ceiling/wall, use that space to conceal them and secure them with cable ties or staples as needed.
If your projector is set up at the center of the ceiling, you’ll need to use cord covers to hide the wires from the projector to the crown molding.
3. Run the wires through the ceiling/wall
This method is a little more challenging, but it’s worth the effort. The wires will be hidden from view completely.
Follow these steps:
- Cut a small hole in the ceiling (just above the projector) and near the power outlet and media source.
- Feed the wires into the hole.
- Run the wires through the ceiling and down the wall.
- Fish it out from the hole near the power outlet and media source.
Making sure the wires don’t get stuck in the studs and joists can be a little tricky. You can use a stud finder to help you avoid them.
If you have an attic with an outlet, you don’t need to worry about this as much. Just feed the cable into the hole in the ceiling and plug it in.
This video shows you how to run wires through the ceiling and wall:
4. Use Soundproofing Material
Using soundproofing material to renovate your room will not only give it a cool look and feel but also improves the quality of sounds. This is important for an immersive cinema experience.
The materials used for soundproofing can also hide your projector wires. To install them, make sure the wire goes underneath and is tucked away out of sight.
5. Use furniture
Hiding your wires is never easy, but if you’re looking for something that’ll work at least temporarily then furniture might be the answer.
You can weave or twist them around shelves, sofas, and picture frames so they remain hidden and out of sight. Using furniture should be your last option for hiding your projector wires and cords.
How to hide a projector outside?
There are many great places to put your projector outside. You should choose a spot that is suitable for your projector and the number of lumens it has. It is also important to consider where you will be able to place the projector’s screen before deciding where you want to position your projector.
When choosing a spot for your projector, you’ll want to consider the amount of ambient light present. A projector with lower lumens will work better in a shadier spot, while a projector with high lumens can be more flexible with its placement. Keep in mind that you’ll also need to be near an outlet or have an extension cord to provide power to your outdoor setup.
There are projectors that can be used outdoors, but you shouldn’t leave your projector outside for a long period of time because it can get damaged by the outdoor elements. You will need to use a stand when your projector is in use outside. The stand should be placed at a certain distance from the screen depending on your projector model.
The perfect placement for your projector will depend on where you want to place the screen and how much space there is outdoors.
Final Thoughts
There are a few different ways to hide your projector. The best and the most expensive is to use a motorized projector lift. If you don’t want to spend the money or if you’re not comfortable with DIY projects, attaching a cabinet to the wall is a good alternative.