Home Theater Seat Riser with lighting - DIY 

Thank you for the constructive criticism. I truly appreciate it. I wish I met you before doing it. And yes, you can tell I am a novice. I haven't covered the riser yet with any finish. I will definitely consider adding the electric boxes.

Thanks for the info Doug, im also a novice and looking for advice on how to build a riser in my own theatre room. I definatly wont be putting lights in mine though.

Yes totally agree. That electrical is not up to code and God forbid anything happened your home owners insurance would most likely deny the claim. Also if you put in boxes you need to be able to have access to them. You can't put boxes in and not have access. Anytime you make an electrical connection you need to be able to get back to it if there is a problem.

You just need to buy some $1 boxes to put your wiring junctions in. Like a handy box, then put a cover on. You can make them accessible if you like but you can hide them too, just know that if your connection shorts you're going to have to find it. The term accessible is relative. I would prefer to have a junction hidden than to have a bunch of plate covered boxes on my walls and/or ceiling. You could screw those boxes to the floor if you wanted to but I would screw them to the framing you built and leave the floor unharmed. Different times I haven't used boxes I used gobs of electrical tape, it is insinuative, but people on here will say that tape is dangerous too and they are right. Boxes are best. The framing for the riser itself and the filling looks fine, its not something that needs to be to code anyways, you should put the joists vertical; but whatever. I bet it worked fine. The only real problem is those bare wire connections surrounded by all that foam. If a short happens anywhere (and they can happen, it just takes one loose wire) it could start a fire. That is why they need to be inside a fire proof or retardant box. A short is arcing electricity between two wires that are almost touching and complete a circuit. It is very hot. Many times I remove old outlets sitting side by side n double gang boxes to see burn marks evidencing some arcing between the sides of the outlets. Electricity wants to jump. If two of those wires in your riser start arcing they could set the foam on fire. This is more likely to happen to because the wire nuts were not applied correctly. You don't twist the wires first then twist the nuts on. You put the wires next to each other, put the wire nut on, then you twist the wire nut until it twists the wires together, biting into the wires as it twists them. You did not do this. Your connections in your wire nuts are more likely to come loose and start arcing because of this mistake. I applaud your effort. I want to say that I am self taught. I can build a house to code now. When I began doing things like electrical or plumbing I expected to have to do things more than once before I had it right. Please do not feel bad. It is great that you are taking initiative to build something. We all build on previous experience. We all have many learning opportunities. I say this with love and kindness: your riser is a serious fire risk with those bare wire connections surrounded by foam. It is like a spark stick and kindling. Please take it apart and put each one of those junctions inside of a metal or plastic box before one of them starts a fire and hurts you or your family. One or two boxes and some longer wires would probably do it. Electricity is simple as long as you are sure to be safe, like with junction boxes. Then you can watch your movies in peace. Best of luck to you. Even if you do this two or three times it is still cheaper than hiring someone else, and next time it will go a little easier, and so on. Also, most people will over charge and don't really care about doing a great job. You need to learn how to these things for yourself, its a life skill. So don't give up, just fix it, and do it right, then you can be proud.

I love the advise people are giving you here. I am a novice too but will take what you created and all the valuable information share here. You guys rock! And thank you for posting this video. You made it simple to understand and follow. I personally think it looks amazing. Now, if you fix those issues identified I think you will have a safe and great looking platform. Great job!

Thank you for the pointers. I used 5 watt light fixtures so I am not too concerned about the heat. But definitely something to consider in my next electrical project. Glad my video helped you in other aspects of your project. Good luck

Thinking the same thing.

According to the electrical code, the box needs to be accessible.

They do work, as I don't feel the riser shake when the subwoofers are loud

Thanks. I opened the recliners all the way before I built it, and added to the depth a foot to ensure I had extra space.

I would open both of the to the maximum reclining position, and leave a few inches clearance between the back wall and the chair on the riser, and same between the two chairs. Your room size will dictate how much space you afford to leave. I would do a foot if possible.

In my research it showed it's not a requirement but it can enhance your acoustic effects especially with two subwoofers

To let the flames escape.

19x13 ft

What's the ceiling height from floor to ceiling and from riser 2 ceiling? Thx looks great 👍