Step-by-step tutorials to make a DIY outdoor movie theater and s’mores station from a coffee table + fall outdoor decorating ideas.
This post is sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens at Walmart.
This has officially been the year of creativity! And silver linings too apparently.
Gotta stay at home? Paint a room. Want to celebrate a birthday? Have a drive-by parade. Want to go to the movie theater? Make one in your own backyard.
It’s been a tough few months for sure, and at the same time, I can’t help but be amazed at the creative projects and ideas that have come out of this.
Robert and I realized we were missing the movie theater big time and decided, with the fall weather temps being absolutely gorgeous and the days getting shorter lately, that we would make one on our back porch by rigging a few things together from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart for a DIY movie screen and DIY s’mores table.
DIY S’mores Table
Supplies Used:
- Coffee table (You could really use any wooden outdoor coffee table. This one isn’t meant to be outdoors specifically, but since it’ll stay under a covered porch, it should hold up fine.)
- Tape measure and pencil
- Fire bowl
- Drill with hole bit
- 1 gallon propane tank
- Roasting skewers & your favorite s’mores ingredients, of course 😉
The Steps:
1. Use a tape measure to find the very center of the table and mark that spot.
2. Drill a hole into the spot using the hole bit.
3. Place the base of the fire bowl into the hole.
4. Screw in the propane tank from underneath and enjoy!
For some of the goodies on the tabletop, we used these copper mugs for fresh local cider. And I love this white ceramic popcorn bowl that holds two entire regular sized microwave popcorn bags.
I think this melamine tray with bowls is actually meant for chips and dip, but it makes the perfect little spread for s’mores ingredients.
DIY Outdoor Movie Theater Screen
Supplies Used:
- White shower curtain liner
- 4 eyelets & eyelet kit
- 4 small bungee cords
- Hammer
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Tape measure & marker
The Steps:
1. Spread out the shower curtain liner on the floor and use a tape measure to mark the dimensions you want for your screen.
2. Trim the shower curtain with fabric scissors.
3. Drive an eyelet into each corner of the shower curtain with a hammer and anvil from the eyelet kit.
4. Secure each corner of the shower curtain with a bungee cord around porch posts. (You could even make posts in your yard or on a patio using this string light pole method we used in our last house.)
5. Stretch the shower curtain until wrinkles are mostly smoothed out. Then hook up a projector and enjoy a movie in the fresh air!
Since the shower curtain liner is waterproof it can hang out here in the rain without a problem. And it was less than $30 to make!
We really didn’t add much to the rest of the space (and this old patio set that we’ve had for years). Just a few cozy throw pillows and blankets to keep warm on chilly evenings and that’s it.
And of course string lights and lanterns… because that’s always the recipe for instant outdoor magic.
To spiff up the movie screen, I placed a couple of mums and pumpkins from the Walmart garden center. Now if only I remember to water those flowers. 😉 Who wants to place bets on how long they survive with me as their plant mama?
It really does feel like a total escape out here, and I’m wondering why we didn’t think to do this sooner.
I’m pretty sure we’re going to live out here now because I envision slumber parties and creepy Halloween movie showings from here on out.
If you want to know about any of the sources we used, you can find them all here:
- Coffee table
- Fire bowl
- Melamine tray and bowls
- Copper mugs
- Popcorn bowl
- Striped pillow
- Colorblock pillow
- Plaid pillow
- Ivory rosette pillow
- Cream knit pillow
- Gray outdoor rug
- String lights
- Flameless candles
Do you know what movie that is on the screen? It’s one of my favorites of all time. (You can take the English teacher out of the classroom, but you can’t take the classroom out of the English teacher. It’ll always have part of my heart.)
Do you have any fun outdoor activities you love doing for fall? We’ll take all the ideas we can get right now.
You always have the best ideas. Thank you!
I love it!! And the movie of course is Dead Poets Society!!!
Super fun idea!
It’s absolutely beautiful! ❤️ And where is your seating from? I love that wood settee with cushions.
Thank you, Kimberly! The settee is several years old from World Market and discontinued now, unfortunately.
I’ve been wanting to do this 💕 Can you please link your movie projector? I’m afraid to pull the trigger on one because there are so many options and reviews. Afraid to get a bad one. Thank you!!
Absolutely! Ours is nothing fancy, and I know there are better ones out there, but we’ve been happy with this one considering the price. https://rstyle.me/+e2kAX9Uq1_5Fhz-6Hevu9g We got an Amazon Fire Stick for it too, so that we can stream movies and multiple channels.
I’m looking for an outdoor projector; can you recommend one? I love what you did with the fall porch decor, it looks so inviting.
Absolutely! Here’s the link to ours: https://rstyle.me/+e2kAX9Uq1_5Fhz-6Hevu9g
I love how this safer at home time has brought out our creativity again. It’s definitely a silver lining.
I love this movie outside and smores setup! Perfect for Fall!
http://www.findmeontheporch.com
I love the cozy space you have created outside, so awesome!
That’s really nicely done. I love that movie too. I miss Robin Williams.
Beautiful decorating as always. I wish I could come over! I live in New England though.
Take care,
Christine
New Hampshire
I would have thought that the projector brand would have been first on your source list! But I see now that others have asked for it. Shower curtain is a brilliant idea! I would lazily hang it thru the curtain hook slits as is!!
Captain, my Captain! GREAT movie and awesome way to watch!
Looks great- enjoy all the fun you are sure to have!
Great idea!! What a cozy space to enjoy for many seasons. Wondering where you got your “leaf” candle holder. So, good looking! Thanks.
Is that Dead Poet’s Society? Goodness, I haven’t thought about that movie in years! Our porchette won’t work but I’d love to do this somewhere. I bet life at your house is so fun! Pinned.
OMG, can I come and be your little girl? To bad I am to old, 50🤫. Your daughter are so lucky to have such sweet, creative, and thoughtful, mom as yourself. How proud she must had felt when all her little friends were over to her house for this fabulous movie night sleepover. You nailed this!
Great space! I saw on Pinterest that if you but a black sheet behind the white, it makes the picture sharper.
Does the fire bowl give off much heat?
Hi, Cathy. There is just enough heat to allow you to stay around it without getting too hot. It is pretty functional.
So, so smart with the shower curtain movie screen. We just moved to a new house, and the set up we’d been using won’t work as well here. This solved the problem for us. My husband and I were scrolling through your post and when we saw the bungee cords around the pillars, we were both like “GENIUS!” Thanks for sharing, and what a beautiful and inviting outdoor space!
YES!! Thank you, Jessica! 🙂