Unfortunately, houses aren't built with projection mapping in mind. What were the builders thinking???

Here are some things to consider, and how to mitigate or compensate for projection-challenged houses.

Will My House Work??

House Features That Effect Visibility

Surface Color
Surface Texture
House Size, Shape and Features
Obstructions
Ambient Light
Projection Positioning and Placement

A Difficult House...

An Easy House...

Things You Can Consider...

Brighter Projector – Because Dim is Just a Mood, Not a Feature

When it comes to projectors, brighter is always better—unless you’re trying to hide from your in-laws. The challenge? Projector prices start climbing faster than a squirrel on a bird feeder once you go past 4000 lumens. If your budget allows, go for higher ANSI lumens—your future self (and your audience) will thank you.

💡 More lumens = brighter image
💰 More lumens = lighter wallet

Option 2: Double Up!
If one projector isn’t enough, you can use multiple projectors. But be warned: lining them up perfectly is harder than folding a fitted sheet. Syncing them takes some effort, but when done right, the results are spectacular.

Projector Comparisons Below – Because Shopping for the Right One is a "Bright" Idea

⬇️ Check out the options below and find the perfect glow-up for your setup!

My current projector: Optoma ZH406ST

An even brighter option is the Optoma ZU607TST

Coverings for Surfaces or Windows

If walls or windows aren't ideal, sometimes you can cover them with products such as these:

Windows

I use simple black-out curtains, with white on the 'Window side'. This is simple and seems to work well. And blocks out projection light from spilling into my rooms.

https://amzn.to/3CwAkHI

Some other good options

Projection Screen Fabric - https://amzn.to/3CzMzDd
White Blackout Window Film - https://amzn.to/4gjp27z

Thanks to Old School Haunter for this Window Material Review!

Another creative option from Stanley of the Sea:

https://amzn.to/3EmEbHO

If All Else Fails...

If you aren't able to do the whole house, you can try a smaller area. Such as projecting on your garage. And use one of the wall or garage coverings mentioned above.

By the way, our shows can be fitted to a smaller area, such as a garage at a lower price than full house mapping.

Here is an Example: