Make A Concession Stand For Your Home Theater With A Simple Dollar Tree DIY

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You don't need plush daybeds like Will and Jada Pinkett Smith or platformed seating and a 14-foot screen like George Clooney to create a home movie theater perfect for watching blockbusters at home. Small details like adding a concession stand can instantly turn your living room or basement entertainment lounge into an immersive cinematic experience. And the best part is that you can make one from scratch with just $15 worth of Dollar Tree items (plus a glue gun and a plastic pipe cutter that cost a bit more, but most DIY enthusiasts will have those in their toolbox already).

This simple DIY requires two broom handles, four pieces of foam boards, three mesh baskets, some zip-ties, a hot glue gun, and, the best part, a selection of all your favorite snacks. This concession stand is also great for birthday parties or sports and carnival-themed events, providing a creative, easily reachable display for chips, candy, popcorn, and cookies, among plenty of other grab-and-go snacks. For extra pizazz, you can even reserve the stand exclusively for chocolates and other sugary goods, and pair it with a popcorn maker, which you can get for just $22. 

Imagine a display rack, closed at the back and on both sides, but open at the front. The snacks will be placed inside the mesh baskets, which will act as slanted shelves zip-tied to broom handles in the middle and at the front. First, do a trial run with the handles and the baskets to determine exactly how tall the stand should be in order to accommodate all three. Carefully cut the handles with a pipe cutter and deburr them, then match the foam boards to the same height. To avoid jagged edges, use a ruler and a sharp box cutter placed at an acute angle of about 20 degrees. Set the extra pieces aside for later. 

Glue both pipes to the bottom foam board, taking into account the common mistakes to avoid when gluing PVC pipe. Attach each mesh basket, slightly tilted over one another, leaving enough space to reach inside for snacks. Do this using zip ties and hot glue until they're tightly secured. Stick two more foam boards on each side, gluing them along the outside length of the broom handles and to the bottom board. 

A fourth board goes in the back to provide extra support, recessed between the two side boards to leave a little, hidden back nook for extra food stock. For the finishing touches, you'll need those extra pieces of pipe and foam board. Glue the former right in front of the baskets, which you'll tie up once more to keep them firmly in place. Cut thin pieces of foam to cover the piping at the front and to create frames at the top and bottom.

If you don't have much time or want something a bit simpler, there are plenty of alternatives, typically involving clothespins attached to cardboard or some kind of metal grid. One of the more popular hacks provides a clever way to use paper towel holders around the house. Simply zip-tie a metal cooling rack to a wire paper towel holder, both from Dollar Tree, then use clothespins to hang your snacks! However, keep in mind that tiny craft clothespins might look adorable, but they're not recommended for this project as they might not be strong enough to hold certain packets of food. 

On the opposite end of the scale, more experienced DIYers looking for a bigger and more permanent home theater concession stand (and a challenge!) can swap the repurposed foam boards and broom handles for actual wood and create a showstopping kiosk-like snack bar to turn movie night into a bona fide event every time. Adding some fairy lights and bright, sparkling colors will bring this fun piece of furniture to the next level.