Phoenix home movie theaters get a makeover
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Project requests for home theater installations soared 562% in 2024, Yelp reports, as homeowners splurge on features that rival their local cinema.
Why it matters: Going to the movies is one way to beat the Phoenix heat, but this summer's coolest screenings might be in your — or a neighbor's — bonus room.
What we're hearing: Paying to sit in a musty theater isn't as appealing as staying home, where amenities and snacks can be customized to personal preferences
Zoom in: In and around the Valley, there are plenty of businesses specializing in such projects, including Camelback Smart Homes, Starpower, Cinematic Home A/V, Artisan Systems and Surrounded by Sound.
- Super-hosts can bring in pros to build custom snack stations, install the latest sound systems or curate plush decor, Yelp trend expert Tara Lewis tells Axios.
The big picture: "We're seeing growing interest in everything from full-scale theater renovations" to budget-friendly additions like blackout curtains, Lewis says.
Between the lines: Lately, more people want to upgrade their current house instead of buying a new one, builders say.
By the numbers: On average, Phoenix homeowners spent nearly $6,000 on home improvements in 2023, around $1,300 more than the national figure, according to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Reality check: Roller-coaster tariffs threaten to make everything from construction to flat-screen TVs costlier.
- Walmart and several other companies plan to raise prices. Some items may vanish from store shelves entirely.
What we're watching: That dream renovation might have to wait.
- 71% of homeowners say they've delayed a project this year, blaming inflation, economic uncertainty, high interest rates and job concerns, per a survey by Angi, formerly Angie's List.