1. Utilize Your Patio

The simplest way to create an outdoor movie experience is to put a television in your backyard. There are many ways to go about this and the way you do is dependant upon your style, where you live and the design of your property. In the southern part of the U.S., where the summers are longer and the weather is hotter, you'll find more backyards with swimming pools. For example, there are more inground pools in Mobile, Alabama than you'd find in New York City. Homes with pools often have decks and patios that can be used to design a great space for watching movies.

A covered patio is an easy space in which to create a cozy atmosphere. With the overhead protection to keep everything safer from the harshness of weather, you can add comfortable plush furniture and hang a TV on the wall. Aesthetically, this creates a new focal point and provides more useable space for your backyard as well. 

2. Do-It-Yourself With a Screen and a Projector

If you're looking for a way to create an outdoor theater experience for little expense, you can simply do it yourself. There are three basic things you will need to start: 

• a projector,

• a sheet or screen

• and speakers.

Projectors come in all levels of quality and vary greatly in price. If you're thinking of creating a more permanent setup, you can buy a higher-quality projector that comes with a screen for more efficient pixelation. You'll want to hire an A/V professional to install it for you to ensure that everything is wired safely.  If you just want to create a temporary space, you can use a white sheet and a portable projector. Options are available to suit any budget. The quality will vary, and brightness plays a large role. The brighter the picture is, the better the visual. However, if you get your placement correct, you'll find the picture perfectly acceptable regardless. 

You also need to consider an audio source. Many projectors come with built-in speakers, and that is a great option for those that just want to create a setup for one night. A more permanent solution would be to install a sound system. Speakers spaced further apart create better sound quality. Again, you may want to consider having a professional do that as well. 

3. Create a Functional Outdoor Space for Year-Round Movie Nights

Creating an outdoor space that can be used year-round is a great way to turn an ordinary night into an experience, and a nice wood-burning fireplace will turn the space into a functional hang-out for those chilly evenings in the fall and spring. Fireplaces are the focal point of whatever space they're in. You can hang a TV above the fireplace inside a cabana or pergola, stock up an outdoor refrigerator with drinks and snacks and create a comfortable seating area for everyone in the family. Now you'll have a space for movies night in the cold weather. 

Once you've decided how you want to set up your backyard movie experience, make it a little more fun with some staple movie night snacks and aesthetics. Hang lights around the area or light candles to create ambiance. Fill the space with pillows and blankets to make it cozier. Set up a snack tray with all the theater staples, such as candy, popcorn and drinks. Putting just as much thought into the small details as you do in the technical setup is crucial to creating an entire experience. Don't forget to bring in anything that isn't waterproof when the movie is done. 

Add This Entry To Your CureZone Favorites!