Weekend Project: How to Create Your Own Outdoor Cinema

What better way to take advantage of the warm summer evenings than by hosting your own open-air movie night? Picture it: you are reclining on your sun-lounger, wrapped in a blanket, a glass of something refreshing to hand, watching your favourite film, under the stars – perfect!

So, how do you go about setting the scene? Actually, it’s pretty easy – something you could do in half a day. Our woodcare partner, Cuprinol, has put together a simple step-by-step guide. Watch the video and discover how you can create a colourful outdoor cinema garden that’s perfect for catching a film with the family.

Watch the video below.

How do you make an outdoor cinema in your garden? Follow these 5 steps

1. Find the right location in your garden for your home cinema

Firstly, you need to find the right spot in the garden for your home outdoor cinema. A good rule of thumb is to find an area that’s dry and not too exposed – anywhere too breezy is a no-no. You want to make sure there are no lights shining onto the screen too, so keep away from the glare of streetlamps. If you feel the area needs a lick of paint to look the part, try the Garden Shades range. Here we used Dusky Gem on the fence and Fresh Rosemary, Lavender and Wild Thyme on tables we created out by upcycling pallets.

2. Decorate your outdoor cinema garden

You want your outdoor garden cinema to feel relaxed and inviting. So, when it comes to decorating the space, start by thinking about seating. Your seating area should be as snuggly as possible, especially if you’re watching a movie in the evening, when the temperature drops. Here, we created a Moroccan-inspired space, with lots of squidgy cushions and faux-fur throws. For the backdrop we went for a colour combo of Forest Mushroom and Coral Splash from the Garden Shades range.

3. No outdoor home cinema is complete without snacks and drinks

Somehow, watching a movie just isn’t the same without something to sip and to snack on. Of course, popcorn and soda is the classic combination, but you could go for nachos with cheese and chillies. On the other hand, if you’re settling down in front of the screen after a big meal, why not go for a more sophisticated spread – cheese and biscuits with olives on the side.

4. Create the ultimate garden cinema experience

If you’re going to the trouble of setting up a cinema in your garden, you might as well push the boat out and make the evening one to remember. An ice bucket is essential if you’re planning on sipping something bubbly. Or why not create your own cocktail bar and mix up something special to go with your movie? Here we mounted our drinks selection atop an upcycled chest of drawers, painted in contrasting Crushed Chilli and Warm Flax from the Garden Shades range. 

To make the evening really memorable, why not have your children create and cut out some old-fashioned cinema tickets that you can keep as a memento?

5. The technical side of creating an outdoor home theatre

Probably the most important bit of kit you need to create a garden home cinema is a projector. This might seem an expensive extravagance, but you’d be surprised how cheaply you can pick one up, especially in the sales. Then you simply connect your projector to your film source – typically your smartphone or laptop. You can project the picture onto pretty well anything that’s white, even an old sheet tied between two trees or fence posts.

We’d love to see your home cinema setups. So, don’t forget to share your ideas with us on social media using #FeelGoodColour.

Looking for more garden inspiration? Read how to create an outdoor oasis with Cuprinol Garden Shades. Or go from creating an outdoor cinema, to your own back garden party with our Micro Makeover ideas.