Click Here To SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SALE NEWSLETTERS Click on the photo to be taken to that Store CategoryPosted by on 3/07/12 • Categorized as ,, I had seen the rows and rows of wooden chairs on the auction website. The seats and backs looked incredibly uncomfortable without cushioning, but the decorative ironwork that stretched from waist to floor on the sides was striking. On first look, I wasn’t too sure where the chairs could’ve come from. So, when I arrived at the auction house, I tried to stay near the outside dock to hear the auctioneer announce them for sale. What kind of chairs are they, I asked an auction-goer who sat soaking up the faint warmth of sunshine on this chilly day. Theater chairs, he said. And then I recognized what they were – seats removed from either a movie or performance theater. I was so used to sitting in fiber-filled chairs with nondescript arms that these didn’t register with me. I watched as auction workers set up five rows of the chairs in front of buyers on the dock.
They were being sold in threes, all joined at the sides. One buyer took all five rows for $160 per row. Another bought two rows for $130 each. The auctioneer didn’t mention what theater had once owned the seats, but I figured that they now would look great integrated into a home décor. If you’re lucky enough to have your own home movie theater, a handful of the chairs would make a nice addition, or they could be used as hallway or corridor seating or as part of a living room setting. The homeowner in this example attached them to a board and pushed them up to a table. In another, they offered a spot for watching movies at home, giving the owners a nice being-in-the-theater experience. Theater owners apparently toss the seats when they update or renovate. Sometimes, they sell them off; other times they give them away. Three years ago, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Pittsburgh replaced its lovely old seats and sold them to the public for $250 each.
The seats were not hardwood but plywood stained to look like cherry. In January, a theater in Portland, OR, sold off some plush red and blue-cushioned seats at prices starting at $20 each. Seats with decorative ironwork went for $100. Last year, Oberlin College in Ohio gave away seats for free when it renovated its old theater. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2006 sold off seats for $250 each that it had removed from its hall three years before. The red and brown upholstered seats made of wood and cast iron were replicas of the originals made in 1919. The seats were removed, according to one site, to comply with fire codes. Any renovations to theater houses must consider our changing body sizes and comfort levels. A 2010 study by Theater Projects Consultants of Connecticut noted that theater seat sizes had widened because we have gotten bigger (in height and girth), we want more personal space for comfort, and we want more leg room. Over the last two decades, the width of seats has gained an inch – to 22 inches, according to the study.
That’s a major jump considering that it had only increased two inches from 1900 to 1990. While the change may have led to a much better experience, it has also meant a decrease in the number of cheap seats available, the study said. With fewer seats on the floor, theater operators have to make up the cost in higher-priced seats. Broadway theater seats must be from an era when backsides were narrow and legs were short. My long legs are always flush against the back of the seat in front of me, and I have to stand to let people pass to get to their seats. I have a friend with bad knees who always requests the end-row seat. Maybe buying your own is a good way to go. I sampled prices on Google and found the seats selling on eBay, where a lot of 63 sold for $1,000. An architectural antiques company was selling what it said were four attached seats from the 1800s for $650. If you get a good price on some seats in need of repair, there are plenty of companies that do that, too.
Best Home Theater Seating - A lot of attention is placed on the basic equipment needed to experience home theater, but there are many add-ons that can enhance your home theater enjoyment. One add-on that is many times overlooked, is comfortable seating. Check out my list of suggested home theater seating manufacturers and seating options that will make your home theater viewing and listening experience more pleasurable. Octane Seating - Turbo XL700 Power Recliner Octane Seating - Turbo XL700 Power Recliner. Check out a great, comfortable, a home theater seating option from Octane Seating, the Turbo XL700 Power Recliner.This comfortable chair is great for home theater viewing with powered reclining, two armrests, a padded footrest, and storage compartments to keep those remotes about of view when not being used, and a swivel tray and cup holder for all your snacks and beverages. Also, you can combine two, or more, Turbo XL700's to create a row of comfortable seating for family and friends.
Flash Furniture 2-Seat Black Leather Home Theater Recliner with Storage Console. Image courtesy of Amazon Here is a comfortable home theater seating option, the Flash Furniture 2-Seat Black Leather Home Theater Recliner. This setup is great for couple. Both chairs provide variable recline positions, as well as a storage are between the two chairs for remotes, snacks, etc. In addition each chair has its own cup holder. Mainstays Home Theater Recliner - Black. Image Courtesy of Amazon The Mainstays Home Theater Recliner is pretty basic, but provides all the comfort you might need for an evening of movie watch. It feature a steel reclining mechanism and comfortable foam padding for extra comfort. Cinema Tech M3-4 Recliner. Image providd by Cinema Tech CinemaTech offers a wide variety of home theater seating options, from plush single seating cup holders, to single seat recliners, to reclining couches, and a variety of home theater/media room sectionals.
Premiere Home Theater Surroundings - PremiereHTS Recliner Premiere Home Theater Surroundings - PremierHTS Recliner. Premiere Home Theater Surroundings Don't settle for that dusty old couch or recliner to view your home theater presentations, step up to first class movie viewing with a specially designed home theater lounge chair. Check out some great, comfortable, home theater seating options from Premiere Home Theater Surroundings - such as the Grand Slam shown in the photo. Fortress Seating - Kensington Dual. Image provided by Fortress Seating Fortress makes really comfortable home theater seats, loungers, and sectionals. However, my favorite thing about Fortress Seating is that they offer a lot accessory options that can meet all your home theater comfort (and control) needs. If you are looking for home theater seating that is more than just a seat, check out what Fortress has to offer, such as the Kensington Dual shown in the photo. Elite Home Theater Seating
Eilte Home Theater Seating Model C1. If you are looking for luxury home theater seating, check out the offerings from Elite Home Theater Seating. Consumers have the option buying a pre-designed chair, but you can also design you own custom seating via Elite's Build Your Chair page - choose from 12 styles, 6 back rest types, material (leather/Suede) and color, cushion (soft, medium, firm), and layout (single chair or a variety of chair groups) . In addition, Elite Home Theater Seating also offers the inclusion of Crowson Technologies Tactile Effects System products, as well as additional accessories, if desired. Jaymar Home Theater Seating Jaymar Home Theater Seating. Image provided by Jaymar Jaymar goes back to the basics - comfortable seating without all the frills - if that is all you want. However, if you want to add extra features to your seating, you can request a variety of options, including cup holders, chrome or wooden legs, leather or other fabric, and an extensive choice of colors.