Set Up The Perfect Backyard Movie Night On A Budget With These Tips

There are many ways to turn your garden into the perfect outdoor oasis, but a place to enjoy movies is one of the most versatile and simple. For example, it may sound fun to get a nice tub to soak in, but you may want to think twice before buying an inflatable hot tub. If you're looking for a way to turn your backyard into a fun place to spend not only days but also evenings, consider an outdoor movie experience instead.

Sure, you can watch a movie indoors on your couch, but there's something exciting and pleasant about watching something outside at night. However, you don't have to find an event near you or go to a drive-in movie theater to do so. With a few tips and tricks, and a pretty low budget, you can turn your garden into the perfect place to relax, eat some popcorn, and watch a movie.

Without sacrificing any quality, you can get an outdoor movie setup starting at about $270 according to PCMag. Going up in price, if you have the money to spend, will give you some pretty glamorous upgrades, but they aren't necessary to enjoy yourself. 

The main cost comes from the projector. You could get a fancy one that is made to use solar panels, is waterproof, and is specifically created to handle the outdoors, but these kinds of projectors cost upwards of $700, and how many times are you going to want to watch a movie in the rain anyway? For most people, something with great sound, at least 4,000 lumens of brightness, and 4K quality is more than enough. For extra ease, a projector with WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities might also be something to look at.

If you don't mind the colors being washed out a bit, it's easy enough to make a movie screen with sheets or a white wall. However, screens made specifically for outdoor movies do exist and they provide richer colors and a higher resolution for around $100. Then, you just need to figure out how you want to stream movies. Something like an Amazon Fire Stick, your computer, or your phone are all viable options. If you really want to go all out and not just sit on some blankets in the grass, you can also create your own patio with some quality material, even on a tight budget.

Once you have these items, you're ready for a movie night. Make it a party and invite all your friends and family, or keep it more intimate with just those in your household. If taken care of right, you should be able to watch movies for years before having to buy any replacements, making the purchase worth the investment. However, you do have to take care of all your equipment. Always make sure to put your projector and screen up when they're not in use. That way, if it's windy, something falls, or it starts raining out of nowhere, your items don't get damaged.

The same is true of the furniture you sit on while watching the movie. If you live in a location that often gets cold and snowy in the fall and winter months, you may want to consider not leaving your patio furniture outside during winter.