Staying In Is the New Going Out: Build a Budget Home Movie Night

Going out costs more every year, so a lot of people are quietly swapping expensive nights out for nights in. The trick is making home feel like an occasion rather than just another evening on the sofa. With a few affordable pieces you can set up a movie night, a garden hangout or a cosy corner for friends and family.

1. Turn any wall into a screen

You don't need a big TV for a cinema feel. A Mini Wireless HD Projector casts a large picture onto a wall or sheet and connects wirelessly to your phone, so you can stream your favourite films without cables. It's small enough to move between rooms.

2. Set the mood with colour

Lighting makes the biggest difference to how a room feels. An RGB Gradient Ambient Light washes the walls in soft changing colours, and a Waterproof Flexible LED Strip Light can be tucked behind a sofa or TV for a subtle glow.

3. Take it outside

Warm evenings call for a garden or patio setup. Solar Waterproof Garden Fairy Lights charge in the sun and switch on at dusk, so you get a magical outdoor space with no wiring and no electricity cost.

4. Keep the snacks and drinks simple

A movie night works best when the snacks are easy. Fill a Woven Snack Storage Jar and set it on the coffee table, and keep drinks mixed with a Portable Magnetic Cup Stirrer so nobody has to leave the film to stir a thing.

5. Keep the devices charged

Nothing ends a film night faster than a dead phone. A 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charger keeps your phone and accessories topped up on the side table.

Your stay-in night starter kit

• A portable projector and a blank wall
• Colour lighting to set the mood
• Solar fairy lights for outdoor evenings
• Easy snacks and drinks within reach
• A charging stand so no one runs out of battery

Browse our Smart Home collection to build your own home cinema.