An outdoor home theater provides you with a way to watch movies under the stars, especially on mild nights. Whether you want to have regular movie nights with the family or entertain a few friends from time to time, you don’t have to rely on professionals to build a home theater outside. These tips can help you create the ideal DIY outdoor home theater that you can use anytime.
Your outdoor home theater will need enough room for a projector screen, so keep this in mind when choosing a location. You can set up a projector screen on your lawn or use an outdoor living space as a home theater. Keep weather in mind, since this might affect where you decide to put your home theater. For example, set it up in a covered outdoor living area if your area gets a lot of rain. Make sure the space you choose has room for seating, whether that’s an outdoor living area or part of your lawn.
All the equipment for your home theater should be able to handle outdoor use. Look for weatherproof speakers and a projector to prevent rain from damaging them. Use cords, cables and other electrical equipment made for outdoor use to lower the risk of water damage, electric shock and fire hazards. Whether you use a large-screen TV or a projector screen, look into weatherproof covers to keep them safe from the elements.
When you’re choosing a screen for an outdoor home theater, go with a large projector screen for a better viewing experience. Keep in mind that your screen size might be limited if you’re planning to set up an outdoor theater in a covered outdoor living area depending on wall space. If you live in an area that gets high winds, consider getting a projector screen you can anchor to the ground if you’re using your lawn. If you’re using an outdoor living space, you can anchor your projector screen to a wall.
Outdoor theater seats can range from simple lawn chairs set up in your yard to outdoor sofas and reclining chairs for added comfort. If you’re using your lawn, you can arrange high-end outdoor lounge chairs in rows for a more upscale outdoor theater. If you’re using an outdoor living space, you can use outdoor living room furniture for your seating. No matter what kinds of seats you choose for your outdoor home theater, make sure you leave plenty of space between them and the screen to prevent headaches or eyestrain.
To make your outdoor home theater even more enjoyable, consider having a concession stand nearby. Stock your concession stand with popcorn, beverages and other snacks and drinks, so you don’t have to go in and out of the house before or during the movie. Consider keeping cushions or throw pillows close by to make seating more comfortable if needed. You can also use your outdoor theater all year round with a few extras. Keep portable heaters and heated blankets available, so you can watch movies outdoors on colder nights.
Susan Shuxian Hu has been a dedicated realtor serving in Silicon Valley since 2010. With great passion, outstanding negotiation skills and due diligence, she has helped many buyers and sellers in their real estate needs. Living in West San Jose for more than 14 years, she has broad knowledge in Cupertino, West San Jose, Los Altos and Saratoga. She has enormous patience working with buyers and never tired of showing all possible properties that may fit client’s needs. Clients appreciate her best service to their satisfaction. She specialized in luxurious real estate purchase in Los Altos, Cupertino, Saratoga and Palo Alto. She also helped friend and past client’s referral working in San Francisco, Foster City and far reached Bay Area.
Susan Shuxian Hu was graduated in East China Normal University in Shanghai with bachelor and master degrees in Bio science. She came to US in 1989 and earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics in Texas A&M University in 1996. After one year of postdoc in Southern Florida University in Tampa, she moved back to Orlando with her family and started working in Lucent Technologies. In 2002, Susan moved to California, Silicon Valley joined a start-up company. Since then she worked in high tech Corporation till 2009. Driven by her dream job pursuing, she found her passion working in sales by helping people in real estate after one year of education in De Anza business and real estate law study. Since then, she has been serving many people in Bay Area for their real estate needs.
With bilingual advantage, she has been actively working with Chinese immigrants as well as local engineers and residents. With rich high tech background and connection with Chinese community, Susan has served in luxurious real estate in last a couple of years.