Ready to take your outdoor gatherings up a notch? Backyard barbecues are nothing new, but smarter technology is expanding the definition and capabilities of just about every aspect of outdoor entertainment. If you like to have people over to watch the game on your patio or open your lawn to the latest celebration, pulling off those plans is more seamless and beautiful than ever.
How Do You Plan to Use Your Backyard Space?
The latest landscaping innovations allow homeowners to entertain in style, safely, and in any weather. As you dust off your patio furniture, some questions worth asking include:
- What kind of entertainment might your family enjoy doing?
- How might you use each part of your outdoor space?
- What technology in your home could use an upgrade – or be brought outdoors?
- What is your personal style?
- What is the scope of sound and lighting you want to achieve?
Thanks to advances in technology that bring more automated features and consolidated controls, it’s possible to enjoy shows, cook outdoors, achieve total music immersion and disperse different levels of lighting according to zones with the touch of a button. Getting answers to these questions will help guide you in the right direction.
Smartest Devices to Enhance Any Summer Gathering
Luckily for everyone who appreciates a backyard summer event – and even enjoys hosting – there is no end to smart gadgets to enhance the experience. Some are necessities. Others simply make life a little easier. Some of the most popular smart-home devices to consider include:
- Weather-resistant WiFi-enabled lights to illuminate your deck or patio that can be controlled by voice or phone
- Water-resistant TVs with higher picture quality that can connect with streaming services, voice controls and smartphones.
- Portable, outdoor-friendly Bluetooth speakers
- Outdoor security cameras with color night vision that can work with third-party devices
- Customizable, app-controlled smart sprinklers
You get the picture. For every activity taking place outside your home, there’s smart technology to both produce a better experience and to create more ease of use.
Growing Popularity of Outdoor Kitchens
Do you love cooking for others? There’s a growing list of smart grills, smokers, and other outdoor cooking devices that make it easier to control temperatures, set timers and stay on top of your grilling game. And this is one area where you don’t want to skimp on the details. Most homes will require professional help getting their cooking area set up properly so that every detail of the controls, gas, and other functions is in perfect order.
More Options in Outdoor Lighting
Getting the best in outdoor lighting is one of the most important elements in outdoor dining – and any other evening activities – so it’s crucial to factor into the overall design of your landscape. Installing automated lighting controls will accomplish many things, letting you dim the lighting in some areas while keeping your food prep space or pool area bright when you need it.
A More Fashionable Fire Pit for the Spring and Fall
Fire pits are highly fashionable, and not just in the cold. Maybe it’s time to consider a better option. Today’s models run the gamut from contemporary fire tables to something more rustic. Worried about your family turning it off? Bluetooth allows the user to control the flame with a tap of a button on their phone or other devise, no matter where they are.
Upgrade Your WiFi and Network
Are you excited to try out your new, state-of-the-art sound system? When it comes to outdoor entertainment, all of these smart systems are only as good as your network allows. Properly incorporating WiFi outside will enable you to line up your favorite tunes from the outdoor speaker system of your choice.
A Midwestern Smart Home Expert Will Help You Create the Best Outdoor System
Finally, be sure your security, lighting, audio, and other automated elements are up to date and can easily be managed and controlled. A qualified home automation service provider can answer all your questions about the range of solutions that are available to you. Even if the only current plan is to install a weatherproof flat‐panel TV, talk to a specialist who can walk you through the most appropriate options and ensure nothing gets overlooked in the process.
Ready to take the party outside? At MediaTech, our team can answer all of your questions so you get the best outdoor solutions for your space. Call us at 630.444.0011 to get started!
