Step-by-step tutorials for creating a DIY outdoor movie theater and a s’mores station from a coffee table, plus fall outdoor decorating ideas.
This year has been full of creative pivots—and some unexpected silver linings. When staying home became the norm, we found new ways to celebrate, refresh rooms, and recreate experiences we missed. One of those was going to the movies, so we built a cozy outdoor theater on our back porch and added a DIY s’mores table for fall movie nights.
With cooler evenings and earlier nights, an outdoor movie setup felt perfect. We used a few budget-friendly pieces from the Better Homes & Gardens line at Walmart and a handful of simple supplies to put everything together.
DIY S’mores Table
Supplies
- Coffee table (any sturdy wooden coffee table that will live under a covered porch)
- Tape measure and pencil
- Fire bowl
- Drill with a hole saw bit
- 1-gallon propane tank
- Roasting skewers and favorite s’mores ingredients
How to build the s’mores table
1. Measure and mark the exact center of the tabletop. Accurate placement ensures the fire bowl sits evenly.
2. Use a drill with a hole saw bit to cut a hole at the marked center. The hole should fit the base of your fire bowl snugly.
3. Insert the fire bowl base into the hole so it sits flush with the tabletop.
4. Secure the propane tank from underneath the table and test for a safe, steady flame. Now your s’mores station is ready—just add skewers and supplies.
On the tabletop we styled copper mugs for warm cider and a large ceramic bowl that holds two microwave popcorn bags. A melamine tray with small bowls works great for separating chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers—perfect for entertaining a group.
DIY Outdoor Movie Theater Screen
Supplies
- White shower curtain liner
- 4 eyelets and an eyelet kit
- 4 small bungee cords
- Hammer
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Tape measure and marker
How to make the screen
1. Lay the shower curtain liner flat and measure the size you want for your screen. Decide on a width and height that fit your porch and projector throw distance.
2. Trim the liner to your chosen dimensions with fabric scissors.
3. Set an eyelet in each corner using the eyelet kit and a hammer so you have sturdy anchor points.
4. Fasten each corner to porch posts with small bungee cords. If you don’t have solid posts, you can improvise freestanding poles or use string-light poles to create mounting points.
5. Smooth the liner until wrinkles are mostly gone, position a projector, and you’re ready for an open-air movie night. The shower curtain liner is waterproof, so it can stay up through light rain, and the whole screen costs less than $30 to make.
We kept the rest of the porch simple—an older patio set, cozy throw pillows, and a few soft blankets for chilly evenings. The space already felt complete with comfortable seating and warm lighting.
String lights and lanterns add instant outdoor ambiance—an easy, inexpensive way to make the area feel magical after sunset. For seasonal accents, we added mums and pumpkins from the garden center to frame the screen; they bring color and a cozy fall vibe.
The porch feels like a little escape now—perfect for slumber parties, spooky Halloween movie marathons, or a low-key family night under the stars.
If you want to recreate this set-up, here are the items we used and where to look for similar pieces:
- Coffee table
- Fire bowl
- Melamine tray and small bowls for serving
- Copper mugs for cider
- Large ceramic popcorn bowl
- Assorted throw pillows (striped, colorblock, plaid, rosette, and cream knit styles)
- Outdoor rug
- String lights and flameless candles
Do you have favorite fall outdoor activities or movie recommendations for a porch screening? We’re collecting ideas for cozy fall evenings and would love to hear what you enjoy doing outdoors this season.
