Five Ways to Incorporate Smart Technology Into Your Patio This Year

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Every year around this time I take it upon myself to open up the patio for spring. I take the cushions out of the chairs, dust them, open the umbrella, and set up all the hanging baskets. Of course, you need to clean your outdoor grill and spruce up your lawn. This year, all my new products will be smart because the market is flooded with smart technologies specifically designed for outdoor use.

Make outdoor spaces weather sensitive

For many years I dreamed of a gazebo to create shade during the heat and protect from rain and snow in winter. While patio covers with blinds that open and close are nothing new, they can be automated using an app. Smart gazebos and gazebos are now a reality and are only getting smarter. The app can control the blinds and even do so in response to signals from rain or wind sensors. The shades on the sides of the pergola can also be automated, and Struxure, the company that makes these pergolas, says that by the end of the summer they will be introducing a new app that will allow you to control the lights, fan, heater, etc. gentlemen, anything on the pergola (currently these are just blinds). These pergolas don’t come cheap—a 10×10 pergola starts at $20,000 and goes up quickly, according to a distributor in Indiana. A more discreet version is available called the Cabana X, which measures 10 by 10 and can be customized online and expanded to as large an area as you want. The Cabana X starts at $7,497, and the Pergola X and Cabana X can be purchased through the Struxture website, which will connect you with your local dealer.

A more practical option is the smart umbrella from the “Above Heights” series. Although there is no app, this patio umbrella will open and close using a remote control, and the wind sensor will automatically do it for you when the wind gets too strong.

Light up your patio

Lighting a space is not only about atmosphere, it is also a matter of safety. Keeping your patio well lit at night will prevent you from tripping and falling might bring the party to its knees. Additionally, lighting is another architectural detail that can be used to highlight a space and transform it at night. It is very important for the owner to be able to discreetly turn on or change his lighting with one click of a button on his mobile phone. There are three ways to achieve smart outdoor lighting: with a smart outdoor plug, smart plug-in lighting, or smart solar lighting.

Ring has introduced smart solar track lights, and to be honest, I didn’t expect much from them. Solar lights tend to be fragile and rarely last a full year. But ring lights are powerful, solid lights that even my Doberman couldn’t pull out yet. They can be automated on a schedule or just turn on when they detect activity, and I was incredibly impressed with how they light up when my dog ​​walks past them at night. Even in partial shade, they receive enough sun to energize them for the day.

Smart plug-in lights are having a moment: Last week I gave a generally positive review of Nanoleaf’s new outdoor string lights. I’ve tried several smart street plugs over the past few years and am happy to report that they are becoming increasingly reliable. I have been using the GE Cync external plug for the past few months and it has worked reliably. I’m also looking forward to the upcoming release of the Eve Outdoor Outlet , which completely eliminates the need for an outdoor smart plug.

Fill the space with sound

I continue to be impressed by the small portable speakers released over the past five years, from the Wonderboom to the JBL Flip. They do an exceptional job of delivering big sound in a small package, including impressive bass. But there’s no denying Sonos’ influence in the market—I simply prefer music over Wi-Fi rather than over Bluetooth, where the beat isn’t interrupted by notifications and phone calls. While many people, including myself, have found workarounds to take regular Sonos speakers outside, they now offer not only portable speakers but also outdoor speakers. This means you can get consistent sound when people walk in from the street.

Smart technologies will help reduce the time spent standing over the grill

Every major grill brand now has the ability to offer smart technology as part of the experience, whether built into the grill like Masterbuilt or attachable like Weber. Even if you don’t have a smart grill, smart thermometers like Combustion allow you to keep an eye on your meat while you cool off by the fire.

Keep your plants alive

Buying plants and flowers for your patio is rarely a problem. Keeping them alive and looking good all summer long is the trick. Smart watering systems can help alleviate one problem. Of all the units I’ve tested, I think the Rachio is the best as a smart hose valve if you buy it through Amazon rather than Rachio (my attempt to return a defective unit was a pain); by connecting it to the main pipes and emitters, you can water all summer long.

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