Family Movie Night at Home: Create the Ultimate Setup

Lights, camera, action! It’s movie night and the whole family is looking forward to a shared experience in front of their favourite films. Whether it’s a classic like The Wizard of Oz or a modern interpretation like Wicked, animation or action, family movie nights are always a special occasion. 

To make it even better, we have some ideas here at Crate and Barrel that will help you create the perfect mood, from lighting and snacks to comfy seating and snuggly blankets. Here are our top tips on how to turn a simple movie night into something you all look forward to.

Turn your living room into a movie theatre 

From lighting to surround sound, you can transform your living room into a movie theatre with a few simple tweaks. Soft lighting sets the mood, while a high-quality surround-sound system puts you right in the middle of the action (although you may jump occasionally when a helicopter sounds like it’s coming out of the cupboard!). 

Make sure everyone can see the screen clearly, so you may need to adjust your furniture arrangement so that nobody's staring at the back of anyone else's head. For a more relaxed setup,  invest in some bean bags or floor cushions for the kids to get cosy on. Throws and cushions make the room feel snug and inviting – go for faux fur or velvet throws for a luxurious touch.

Pop up a Popcorn bar

You can't have a movie night without popcorn, but which is better: salty or sweet? How about both? Fill some serving bowls with a choice of popcorn and matching side bowls so that everyone can help themselves. Add some plates of sweet treats for the kids and some nibbles for the grown-ups, along with cool drinks served in long glasses with straws, and you have the perfect snack setup for the interval. Don't forget to line up some hot dogs, complete with mustard and ketchup, too.

Pick a theme

Family movie nights can be a chance for your kids' imaginations to run wild. Why not make it a fancy dress event, with the kids creating costumes that match the movie theme? You can also create a double-feature event and play a few games beforehand to get everyone into the mood.

Don’t make it too late

Little ones can get sleepy if movie night lasts too long. So start your movie night earlier in the evening, and make sure there's a quiet snuggle spot if one of the little ones dozes off in the middle of the film. So rather than interrupting everyone else's enjoyment, the tired tot can cuddle up under a soft throw and snooze happily while the rest of the family watches the film.

Movies under the stars

If it's a particularly warm evening, why not move movie night outdoors? With a vast selection of outdoor furniture, Crate and Barrel enables you to transform an outdoor space into a family-friendly oasis. Set up your projector and screen, dim the fairy lights, dig into your popcorn, and let the fun begin.

There are so many ways to make movie night with the family one of those memories you treasure forever. Why not browse what's on offer at Crate and Barrel and see if you can turn a simple family movie night into something really special?