Backyard Delulu Glow-Up, Part 2
How We Built an Outdoor Movie Theater (On a Normal Person Budget)
When we first imagined our backyard, we kept coming back to one thing: Movie nights.
Not a fancy outdoor kitchen. Not a pool… (although ask me again in a heat wave.)
Just somewhere to throw on a movie, invite friends over, let the dogs roam, & stay outside until someone says,
“Should we watch one more?”
While searching for ideas, I stumbled across a backyard projector concept by Cisek Designs that completely inspired this project. Their step-by-step build gave us the confidence to finally stop overthinking it & start building our own version.
Ours won’t look exactly the same — & that’s kind of the point. Every backyard, budget, & space is different.
This is simply how we’re making it work for our little Lazy Daisy bungalow.
Spoiler: it wasn’t nearly as complicated as the internet made it seem.
⚠️ Transparency moment: This blog series contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using these links — at no extra cost to you! Thanks for supporting my chaotic dog-parent life & tiny home upgrades.💛 Project Inspiration: Huge thanks to Cisek Designs for sharing their original DIY projector wall plans. If you’re looking for another great approach, definitely check out their tutorial → DIY Project Tutorial
🏡 TL;DR
If you’re building an outdoor movie space, here’s what I’d prioritize:
🎬 Permanent projector wall
📽 Budget-friendly projector
✨ Layered lighting
🛋 Comfy seating
🍿 Fun hosting essentials
🦟 Natural mosquito control
🎬 Step 1: Build a Screen That Can Actually Stay Outside
Before we even started shopping for projectors, we had one requirement:
We didn’t want another thing to set up every single time we wanted to watch a movie.
I knew if the screen had to be carried outside, assembled, taken back down, & stored after every use… we’d probably stop using it.
So instead of buying a portable projector screen, we built a permanent projector wall using a white plastic wall panel.
Why?
✔️ It’s designed to handle moisture & outdoor conditions.
✔️ It wipes clean with minimal effort (because Georgia pollen is undefeated).
✔️ It’s lightweight enough to move if we ever redesign the backyard.
✔️ Best of all, it’s always ready for movie night — no setup required.
Sometimes the best DIY isn’t the prettiest option. It’s the one you’ll actually use.
🛒 What We Used
White plastic wall panel → $26.00 at Home Depot
Lumber for the frame → $23.00 at Home Depot
Pocket hole jig → $34.00 KREG
Exterior screws → $10.00 KREG pocket screws
Velcro x2 → $18.00 16 ft heavy duty
🤓 What I’d Recommend
If you’re debating between a portable screen & a permanent one, ask yourself: Will I actually want to set this up every weekend?
For us, the answer was immediately NO. Making the projector wall permanent means all we have to do is grab the projector, hit play, & enjoy the evening.
📽 Step 2: Picking the Right Projector
I’ll be honest… shopping for a projector felt way more intimidating than it needed to be. Every listing was throwing around words like lumens, throw distance, native resolution, & I was just over here trying to watch Jaws in the backyard.
Here’s what actually mattered for us:
✨ Brightness
Since we’re using this outside, brightness was one of my biggest priorities. We usually wait until dusk before starting a movie, but I still wanted something bright enough that everyone could actually see the screen.
📱 Bluetooth Connectivity
Being able to pair a Bluetooth speaker was a must. Built-in projector speakers can work in a pinch, but for movie nights with friends, better sound makes a huge difference.
📏 Throw Distance
Before buying anything, measure your space.
We wanted enough distance to project a large image without needing to place the projector halfway across the yard. Taking a few measurements beforehand saved us a lot of guesswork.
💚 What We Chose
After way too much research, we landed on this Projector, & it’s been exactly what we needed for our backyard setup.
It offers:
🎥 Crisp picture quality
🔊 Bluetooth connectivity
🌙 Great performance for outdoor movie nights after sunset
Bonus: HDMI ports
We also paired it with a portable projector stand, which makes it easy to adjust the height, move around the yard, or bring inside when we’re done for the night.
🤓 What I’d Do Again
Don’t overbuy.
Unless you’re planning to host a neighborhood movie festival every weekend, you probably don’t need the most expensive projector on the market. Focus on finding one that’s bright enough for your space, easy to connect, & simple enough that you’ll actually use it.
✨ Step 3: Layer the Cozy
The projector might be the star of the show, but the lighting is what makes people want to stay after the credits roll.
Instead of relying on one big light source, we layered different types of lighting throughout the yard. It makes the space feel warmer, more inviting, & honestly a lot more expensive than it actually was.
Our goal wasn’t to make the backyard bright—it was to make it feel cozy.
💡 Rechargeable Lights → Shop(affiliate)
Cozy tap lamps instantly made the biggest visual impact. They define the space, add a warm glow after sunset, & make even a random Tuesday movie night feel a little special.
🏮 Rechargeable Orbs → Shop(affiliate)
I love using recharbel lights because they don’t require cords or outlets. They’re an easy way to add light around seating areas, planters, or pathways without adding another project to the list.
🌿 Solar Garden Lights
Adding a few solar lights throughout the landscaping helped define the backyard after dark while making it easier (& safer) to navigate once the movie starts.
🪴 The Little Details
We’re still layering things in as we go — planters, outdoor décor, & little touches that make the space feel lived in instead of looking like it came straight from a catalog.
One of my favorite parts of this project has been realizing that you don’t have to finish everything at once. Every small addition makes the backyard feel a little more like us.
💛 Worth Every Penny
If I had to recommend just one thing from this entire project so far… It’s the lights. They’re affordable, easy to install, & completely changed how the backyard feels at night.
🪑 Step 4: Build Around How You Actually Live
Once the projector wall was up, we realized something pretty quickly… People need somewhere comfortable space to hang out. Instead of filling the yard with furniture just because Pinterest said so, we started by asking:
“How do we actually want to use this space?”
For us, the answer was easy:
🍿 Movie nights
🍔 Backyard BBQs
🌹 Rosé nights with friends
🐶 Dog zoomies while we pretend to supervise
☕ Slow mornings with coffee outside
That helped us prioritize pieces we’d use over furniture that just looked nice.
🛋 Outdoor Couch → Shop (affiliate)
The couch instantly made the backyard feel like an extension of our living room. It’s become the go-to spot for movie nights, catching up with friends, or simply enjoying an evening outside. Bonus: Modular so I can roate it as many times as I want.
💺 Bean Bag Chairs → Shop(affiliate)
We added a few chairs to create flexible seating for guests. They’re easy to move around the yard depending on whether we’re watching a movie, sitting around the fire pit, or grilling.
📦 Outdoor Storage → Shop(affiliate)
Outdoor living comes with… stuff & things. Blankets, pillows, extension cords, citronella candles, dog toys — you name it. But having a weather-resistant storage box keeps everything organized & makes setup much quicker.
🔥 Fire Pit → Shop the Solo Stove (affiliate)
There’s something about a fire pit that keeps everyone outside a little longer. Even after the movie ends, it’s become the place where conversations continue long into the night.
🍔 Grill → Shop the Weber Charcoal Grill (affiliate)
This project was never just about movies, it was about creating a space where people naturally gather. Adding a grill made the backyard feel complete & gave us one more reason to invite friends over.
💚 Lesson Learned
You don’t need to buy everything at once. We’ve been adding pieces slowly as our budget allows, & honestly, I think that’s made the space feel more intentional. Every addition has solved a real need instead of just filling an empty corner.
🍿 Step 5: It’s the Little Things That Make It Feel Special
The projector gets everyone outside. But the little details are what make people want to stay.
I wanted our backyard to feel less like watching a movie… & more like one of those nostalgic sleepovers from the ’90s, just with better snacks & significantly more back pain.
So we’ve slowly started collecting a few movie night essentials that make hosting easier (& a little more whimsical in our 1930’s).
🎬 Movie Night Must-Haves
📀 HDMI Adapter for Our DVD Player → Shop(affiliate)
Yes… we still own DVDs.
Some movies just hit differently when you pull them off the shelf instead of scrolling through six streaming apps wondering what to watch. An HDMI adapter lets us hook up our old DVD player for the ultimate nostalgic movie night.
🔌 Outdoor Extension Cords → Shop(affiliate)
Not glamorous… absolutely essential.
🧊 Cooler → Shop the Yeti (affiliate)
Less running inside = more hanging out.
🐶 Dog Water Bowl → Shop(affiliate)
Ozzy & Jeter fully expects to be included in movie night, so keeping a large water bowl outside is non-negotiable.
🦟 Bug Spray (Humans + Dogs)
The mosquitoes were not invited, but apparently nobody told them. We keep bug spray for people & a dog-safe option on hand so everyone stays comfortable.
🪰 Fly Fans → Shop(affiliate)
One of the most underrated purchases. These rechargeable bug fans keep the flies & gnats off snacks while everyone is busy watching the movie instead of guarding the charcuterie board.
🥂 Unbreakable Glasses & Plates
We’re slowly swapping in colorful acrylic drinkware & fun outdoor plates that bring a little whimsy without the stress of broken glass on the patio.
Plates → Shop(affiliate)
Bowls→ Shop(affiliate)
Trays → Shop(affiliate)
Cups → Shop(affiliate)
Wine Glasses → Shop(affiliate)
🍿 Nostalgic Popcorn Bowls → Shop(affiliate)
Because everyone deserves their own bowl instead of fighting over one giant one.
🧺 Cozy Blankets → Shop(affiliate)
Atlanta evenings can cool off surprisingly fast. Having a basket of blankets nearby means nobody has an excuse to leave early.
🦟 Bonus: Our Natural Pest Prevention Routine
Let’s be honest… Atlanta summers are beautiful. They’re also mosquito season. Eww!
While nothing gets rid of every bug, we’ve found a few products that help make our backyard a lot more enjoyable without constantly reaching for harsh chemicals.
🌿 Wondercide Yard Spray → Shop (affiliate)
We keep this natural bug spray for our yard, using it about once a month is the summer season.
🌲 Cedarcide Pellets → Shop (affiliate)
Cedar pellets have become one of our favorite low-maintenance additions. We spread them around garden beds, along the fence line, & throughout landscaped areas to help discourage unwanted pests while freshening up the yard. Pro tip: use a spreader.
💧 Mosquito Dunks → Shop (affiliate)
If you have standing water anywhere — a birdbath, rain barrel, or even a forgotten planter, mosquito dunks are a game changer. They help prevent mosquitoes from breeding before they become a backyard problem. We also added the viral buckets with holes in the lids to trap & kill them.
💚 Pro Tip: The biggest difference for us has been layering our pest prevention instead of relying on just one product. A little yard maintenance, a few natural repellents, & tackling standing water has made movie nights much more enjoyable.
💛 My Hosting Philosophy
The best backyard isn’t the fanciest one.
It’s the one where people feel comfortable grabbing another blanket, pouring another drink, & saying:
“Okay… one more movie?”
🌿 Backyard Delulu: Behind the Scenes
💸 Approximate Budget
One question we’ve gotten a lot is: “How much did this actually cost?”
The honest answer? We’re not building this all at once.
This year’s (April 2026) Home Depot spend was a little over $1,600, but that includes materials for multiple upcoming DIY projects, not just the projector wall. (More on those soon. 👀)
For everything else, our outdoor couch, hosting accessories, lighting, & movie night extras — I waited for Amazon Prime Day, seasonal sales, & holiday discounts before buying.
💚 Pro Tip: Outdoor furniture goes on sale constantly. If you can wait, do it.
📅 Backyard Delulu Timeline
✔️ Projector screen April 2026
✔️ Outdoor movie setup May 2026
✔️ Cozy lighting last year
✔️ Seating & hosting essentials we’ve collected
⏳ More landscaping & plants (we add plants ever Spring & Fall)
🏡 Future indoor projects… because this bungalow always has another idea waiting.
🤓 Things I’d Do Differently
Honestly? I’d start sooner. The heat has us really slowing down, & I spent way too much time worrying about whether every decision was the right decision.
Turns out… there usually isn’t one. Trust your gut. Move the couch 10 times if you need to. (I did.)
Try the layout. Change your mind. Move things again. Some ideas will work. Others won’t. That’s part of the process.
Our backyard still isn’t “finished,” & that’s okay.
We’re saving our pennies for a few indoor projects next, but this little space already gets used more than it ever did before.. & that’s the real win.
💛 The Biggest Lesson
You don’t need a magazine-worthy backyard to start making memories. Start with one project.
Add one chair. Hang one light. Host the movie night anyway.
Because the spaces we love most usually aren’t the ones that were finished overnight. They’re the ones that slowly became part of our lives.
See you in Part 3. 🌿🍿