Home Improvement

DIY Backyard Movie Theater

backyard movie theater projector screen

Outdoor holiday entertainment season is finally here, so I helped to transform my parents’ backyard into an outdoor movie theater to host our upcoming family parties! This was a super fun project that only took a few days to complete! Here’s how I did it!

How To Make A Backyard Movie Theater Outdoors!

This project is sponsored by The Home Depot and contains affiliate links.  For more details on my partnership & privacy policies, click here.

Want to see this project in action? Check it out on YouTube & be sure to subscribe to my channel!

 

My parents’ backyard is the absolute hang spot for my family (although, I might be a bit biased since my workshop is there). They love entertaining year round in this space, and are super serious about their holiday hosting. So, I partnered up with my awesome friends at The Home Depot for their #THDDoerProject campaign to help create an outdoor movie space for them!

Here’s what the space looked like before:

And, here’s what it looks like now!

backyard movie theater projector screen

This project was so easy to complete! I usedThe Home Depot App’s Paint Calculator to calculate how much stain was required for the outdoor theater wall as well as the Augmented  Reality feature to help visualize furniture in the space! I also tried the new ProjectColor app to help pick a color scheme for the new décor! 

Download The Home Depot’s Mobile App to make your next project easier: http://homedepot.sjv.io/b3NOeB  

Download The ProjectColor App to help plan  your next project here: http://homedepot.sjv.io/n1EXzx 

What I Used:

cutting pressure treated wood

Tools
Brad Nailer
Miter Saw
Level
Tape Measure
Concrete Mixing Tub
Post Digger

Materials
Pressure Treated 1 x 4 Boards
Pressure Treated 4 x 4 Boards
BEHR Wood Stain
 Concrete

Home Theater Items
Projector Screen
Projector
Bluetooth Rock Speakers

Home Decor Items
Bar Cart
Fire Pit
Dining Table
Dining Chairs
Dining Bench
Outdoor Lights
Outdoor Umbrella
Umbrella Base

The Steps:

1. First step was to figure out how big we wanted out movie screen backer to be. The projector screen we purchased was 6 feet wide, so we decided to make the screen backer 8 feet wide. Once we figured that out, we measured where the three posts would go and evenly spaced them out.

digging holes in ground for posts

We then dug holes for each post with a post digger and added gravel at the bottom for drainage.

installing posts outdoors

2. Next, we marked how deep the posts needed to go and secured them inside of each opening with concrete. As I poured the concrete, my dad used a level to make sure each post was perfectly straight.

installing posts in ground

3. While the concrete dried, I focused my attention on cutting, sanding, and staining the 1×4 slat boards for the backer. I also stained the posts to match.

staining pressure treated wood

4. Once everything was dry, I added the 1×4 slats to the 4×4 posts using brad nails and a level. I also used a scrap 2×4 to make sure the spacing was consistent between boards.

installing privacy screen

staining outdoor privacy wall

5. I then added the projector screen to the backer using a small hook (I did have to remove the screen from the housing it came in to do this).

hanging outdoor movie projector

6. Last step was to add some decorative touches – like a new dining table and fire pit!

backyard wood patio table set

I also added some solar powered Bluetooth rock speakers to pair with the projector (which my parents keep on a rolling bar cart).

Now we can enjoy movies outside all year round!

backyard movie theater projector screen

Want to save this project for a special occasion? Make sure to Pin It for later!

Sam Raimondi

Sam is a full time psychologist and part time content creator from Long Island, New York.

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4 COMMENTS

  • Adam

    Really well done, I’ve attended a backyard movie night with friends and family although it was a fun time the screen was, budget to be nice and also for something they like to do regularly?? (Ca’mon.. John lol). I’m going to share this with them and leave a little hint to read the comments. Thanks for the tutorial 🙂
    Dude, Ill help you build it!

  • YIGII

    What a stunning backyard! It is a beautiful especially when the sun goes down and the lights been turned on. It creates a relaxing place to enjoy the night.

  • Eric S.

    You are very lucky to have such a supportive family, especially a dad even though he seems to always wants more plants. Your project was great, well thought out and the details are superb. Great job. You are truly an expert DIY’er and I am jealous. Thanks for such a great video. Enjoyed it completely, well done. Your family should be proud of your talent. Best wishes.

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