Outdoor Lighting & AV Ideas for Backyard Patios & Porches
With the right lighting, AV, and security systems in place, you can extend your timeline for open-air relaxation and entertaining well into the shoulder seasons and all through the night.
What’s the point of having a beautiful screened-in porch, patio, or yard if you can only comfortably enjoy it for a fraction of the year?
To help you get started, we’ve pulled together some of the core design concepts our smart tech artisans lean on when leveling up outdoor spaces. The results are several steps above your typical DIY setups, offering a higher degree of control over how your space looks and performs, no matter what you’re using it for.
The Basics of Building a Better Life Outside
First, let’s look at the universal essentials for living the good life out in the open air: lighting and security. With high-quality equipment and a well-planned design, just these two basic systems are enough to help you start living more luxe outdoors.
Principles of Outdoor Lighting Design
Whether you’re designing for indoors or out, professional integrators recommend adopting a ‘layered’ approach for your lighting. This approach integrates a variety of angles and fixture styles to create immersive, infinitely adjustable illumination.
Another core concept for outdoor lighting design involves focusing on key scenic and functional elements. Lighting can be used to strategically highlight features like:
Architectural details
Social spaces
Landscaping
Pathways
With this two-pronged approach, you can unlock an unprecedented degree of control over the mood and aesthetics of your outdoor space. From a warm, low glow centered on a sheltered spot for relaxation, to vibrant, colorful landscape uplighting that creates an irresistible party atmosphere – anything’s possible, and all managed by the same smart home controller you use for the rest of your home.
Outdoor Safety and Security Features
Protecting outdoor spaces is always important, but safety and security become even more critical once you start investing in top-quality lighting and other technology. First and foremost, ensure your equipment is rated for the outdoors and installed by a qualified, experienced professional. Expert integrators can help you choose lights, speakers, projectors, and heaters that will hold up to the elements, then hardwire them in place for maximum ease and efficiency. Professional system design and installation also prevent serious safety risks like shortages, shocks, and electrical fires.
As for security, that starts with the same quality lighting approach we discussed above. Smart activity sensors can be integrated to trigger lights at entry points. Combine these with prominently placed surveillance cameras, and you create a strong layer of deterrence against potential intrusion or theft. This setup also allows for high-quality incident monitoring and documentation, even when you’re physically away from home.
Elevate Your Entertainment with Outdoor Audio & Video
Next, let’s look at ways to expand an outdoor space’s value beyond the basics. For many homeowners, the first priority is installing a quality sound system. Usually, that means a system that:
Provides a consistent, high-quality audio experience throughout the entire space.
Minimizes noise infiltration into neighboring properties.
Effortlessly integrates into the overarching home automation system.
Professional-grade outdoor audio equipment, like the groundbreaking landscape ribbon speakers pioneered by Origin’s Ambisonic brand, is critical for creating this kind of outdoor-optimized setup. It also requires precise speaker calibration and placement to ensure complete audio coverage without any unnecessary visual distractions.
After a sound system, the next most popular choice for outdoor entertainment is a video setup, using either a weather-resistant TV or a cinematic-style projection system. The placement of this equipment requires careful consideration to minimize glare and optimize the views from your preferred seating area, be that a cozy and contained patio or a party-sized private amphitheater.
Why Professional Installation is Essential
To get the most out of your outdoor entertainment options, you’ll need sufficient power, control, and connectivity. This is where the limitations of a DIY approach are sorely felt. The most powerful speakers are typically hard-wired, requiring a master craftsman’s electrical expertise. Your AV equipment also needs to be fully synced with your preferred media storage or streaming solutions, requiring meticulous calibration between your outdoor components and interior home controller, best executed by a professional integrator.
At Architechne, we craft integrated outdoor luxury spaces using top-of-the-line lighting and AV solutions. We emphasize artistry with our approach, elevating standard yards and porches to one-of-a-kind, irresistible outdoor oases. To learn what Architechne can do to transform your life outside, get in touch with our friendly team of expert integrators today!
