Upgraded Outdoors: Cutting-Edge Tech for Elevated Outdoor Living
Story by Alea Wilkins
Like the smart technology that powers modern homes, simplifying everything from opening the blinds to brewing coffee hands-free, the outdoors can now receive its own overdue upgrade. Weatherproof amenities bring indoor comforts outside, including wide-reaching wi-fi, dazzling light fixtures and premium entertainment. Reimagine home renovation with tech that allows you to unwind without powering down.
Stay connected
With exterior wi-fi, homeowners can stay plugged in while outside. It allows any outdoor device, including other smart technology, to function without buffering. Still, Ron Angner, owner of Play Custom Home Technology, emphasizes that a wi-fi booster is only as strong as its indoor network. “Garbage in equals garbage out,” he says. “If your wi-fi booster is located in a place where it receives a low signal strength, the device is rebroadcasting a bad signal to begin with.” He recommends using a control-managed switch, a professionally installed wi-fi system that allows higher network performance, to ensure optimal connectivity. For homeowners who prefer a more straightforward solution, Angner suggests eero and its outdoor line as a comparable alternative. “Just know that you can’t simply buy an outdoor-rated eero mesh device and expect it to work without installing an indoor eero system,” he advises. Bringing Internet connection to the backyard makes it finally possible to work from home — from a lounge chair.
Hit the lights
When day parties turn to sunset soirees, keep the good times rolling with outdoor lighting. The effects can range anywhere from subtle to bold. Depending on the beams you choose, backyards and gardens can evoke completely different moods. “For instance, path lights are ideal for illuminating walkways, ensuring safe passage while adding a charming glow to your garden paths. Bullet lights, with their focused beams, are perfect for highlighting specific architectural features or trees, creating dramatic focal points,” says Jason Clarke at CAV Integrated Home. He adds that the “final touch” to the perfect outdoor lighting is an automated control system, allowing homeowners to seamlessly transition from day to night without a stark flash. “Zoning and dim control allow for the creation of different lighting scenes — practical and ambient for daily use and at peak splendor when entertaining,” he says. Altogether, exterior lighting extends outdoor enjoyment to any time of day — or night.
Enhanced entertainment
Never miss the winning play from the porch ever again. Outdoor TVs bring entertainment to the exterior. As opposed to common indoor TVs, those specifically designed for the outdoors can withstand weather and provide a screen that’s 3 to 10 times brighter to accommodate the sun’s rays. “Even under a covered area, the sun will reflect off surfaces like a pool, and the reflection will wash out the picture on an indoor model,” Angner says, noting that outdoor models are also usually equipped with an anti-glare coating to prevent a distorted view. For an old-school home theater, homeowners can use a projector and motorized screen. Clarke says traditional screens can be much larger than TVs for the same, if not lower, price point, and the view is “breathtaking” when paired with high performance speakers; however, projections can only be visible at night. “While this makes them a niche option, the sheer impact of an outdoor theater can transform an evening into something extraordinary, bringing the magic of a private cinema to your own backyard,” Clarke says. High-tech or traditionalist, any showing is a guaranteed blockbuster with an outdoor entertainment system.
Ambient audio
Set the mood with speakers that amplify your space. Similar to outdoor TVs, audio systems meant for the outside combine weatherproofing with technology to enhance listening in its environment. Clarke says the distinction from indoor speakers is important. “Unlike traditional speakers that may project sound indiscriminately, custom outdoor audio systems are designed to direct music precisely to listening areas, ensuring an immersive experience without unnecessary noise pollution,” he says, noting that equally distributing speakers throughout the backyard will enhance the sound quality. “By carefully positioning speakers throughout the space, a balanced listening experience is created, making music feel natural and immersive from any spot,” he says. Outdoor speakers also avoid disrupting the backyard’s appearance. They blend naturally into foliage, providing high-fidelity sound while maintaining exterior aesthetics. Mixing optimal sound, style and weather-resistance, outdoor speakers can bring any space into perfect harmony.
Cutting-edge tech
The line between indoor comfort and outdoor adventure is disappearing, thanks to a wave of cutting-edge technology designed to elevate backyard living.
Smart climate control: Stay comfortable year-round with high-tech patio heaters, misting systems and infrared heating panels that adjust automatically, based on temperature. Some models sync with smart home systems for effortless climate control.
Interactive fitness & wellness features: Turn the backyard into a wellness retreat with app-connected outdoor fitness equipment, such as outdoor-rated stationary bikes, smart yoga mats or even resistance-training stations that track your progress. For relaxation, hydrotherapy hot tubs with customizable jet settings and built-in Bluetooth audio create a spa-like escape.
AI-powered lawn care: Ditch the mower and let robotic lawn mowers handle the job. These smart devices map out the yard, trim the grass with precision and even return to their charging stations when done. Paired with app-controlled irrigation systems, they ensure the lawn stays lush with minimal effort.
Outdoor security & smart gates: Protect your space with AI-driven security cameras, smart locks and facial recognition entry systems. High-tech gates can scan license plates for approved guests, while discreet, motion-sensing landscape lighting deters intruders.
