When it comes to having the ultimate outdoor living area, you want to be sure that you have all of the amenities. While the patio is at the heart of an outdoor living space, the additional features make that area so enjoyable to spend time in. This includes features like an outdoor kitchen, a fire feature, seating areas, and an outdoor TV and speakers.

After all, what better way to enjoy the game or your favorite movie than in your outdoor living space?

Outdoor entertainment systems are becoming increasingly popular as homeowners want to add high-quality audio and video to their outdoor spaces.

With smart outdoor audio, you can have surround-sound music or listen to the game, even if you can’t see the television. And with an outdoor video screen, you can take your favorite entertainment (movies and television) outdoors.

For many, this completes the outdoor living experience and encourages them to spend more time outside. In this article, we’ll address some of your questions about adding an outdoor entertainment system to your high-end outdoor space.

We’ll cover:

• How do I set up outdoor audio?
• Benefits of a smart outdoor audio system
• How to watch TV outside on the patio?
• Incorporating audio and video into landscape design in Northern VA

After reading this article, you should better grasp what’s involved in incorporating audio and visual elements into your outdoor living design.

How do I set up outdoor audio?

Incorporating smart outdoor audio into your custom landscape design is a great way to enhance your outdoor experience. Whether you're listening to music or a game or watching an outdoor television with surround sound, an outdoor audio system can make your time outside more entertaining.

While we know that some people carry portable outdoor speakers, we’re talking about fully integrated surround sound that provides an immersive sound experience. These days there are some very high-tech speakers and sub-woofers that can virtually disappear into the landscape, especially when careful thought is given to placing them in plant beds.

Often, these speakers' color, shape, size, and integration make them virtually undetectable in the landscape, adding to that immersive experience. You aren’t staring at these giant speakers that take up space. Instead, they are fully hidden but still provide high-quality (and optimal volume) surround sound.

These smart outdoor audio systems can be hardwired (much like landscape lighting) so that speakers can be placed throughout your space. That means you don’t have to sit right next to the speaker to hear what’s going on.

Everything is also made to stay outdoors and withstand the elements. With high-end outdoor speakers, you don’t have to worry about corrosion.

Tech lovers also appreciate that their outdoor TV and speakers (plus their irrigation and lighting) can all be fully controlled by a central hub on a smart device. This puts control right at their fingertips.

Benefits of a smart outdoor audio system

While it’s true that you can bring a portable outdoor speaker into your space, it’s not the same high-quality experience as a smart outdoor audio system.

Some of the key benefits of a high-quality smart outdoor audio system include:

High-quality sound: This means that even as the music gets louder, you don’t lose quality. And if you have it on quietly in the background, it’s still very high-quality and, therefore, easier to hear. That means you can still have a conversation while the audio is playing.

Seamless connectivity. As we mentioned, you can control everything at the touch of your fingertips. A smart device can control today’s smart systems. You can change the volume or what you’re listening to without getting up from the party.

Television plus surround sound. Your outdoor viewing experience is even more enjoyable with surround sound. Excellent sound quality allows you to watch the football game on Sunday or be fully immersed in your favorite movie. It also means you can walk away from the screen but still listen to what’s going on.

How to watch TV outside on the patio?

Adding an outdoor TV to your custom landscape design is also a popular option.

As we’ve mentioned, people love the idea of watching their favorite movie or putting the big game on while they’re outside. It helps them spend more enjoyable quality time in their outdoor living space.

In general, installing audio and video for landscapes is much like an interior install, except that you’re working with equipment that is rated or intended for exterior use. That means it is able to withstand the elements.

People often like to put televisions or an outdoor video screen in a covered space, not just to help protect the equipment, but so that they can be outside watching even if there is some rain.

Televisions over a bar area, under a pavilion, over a fireplace, or in an outdoor kitchen are popular locations. We’ve also helped to build outdoor custom cabinetry for homeowners who want to tuck their television away when it’s not in use.

Choosing where to put the outdoor television is an important consideration as you want it in a space where you can maximize viewership. Sometimes that’s obvious. If you have a pavilion with some couches, you’d likely put the TV in front of them.

But maybe you have a space with an outdoor kitchen and you want to be able to watch TV while you’re cooking. Sometimes homeowners have more than one television because they have multiple outdoor living areas.

A landscape designer can help you determine the optimal location for your outdoor TV for both aesthetic and functional purposes.

Incorporating audio and video into landscape design in Northern VA

Making wise choices for an outdoor entertainment system boils down to working with a landscape design professional who can ensure that the aesthetics and functionality are carefully considered in each decision.

It can be the difference between a job that looks and feels “DIY” and isn’t the immersive experience you want… and a job that gives you all of the benefits you desire.

When you work with a professional landscape designer on your entire custom landscape design, you can truly have the complete experience.

By choosing to work with a company that delivers both high-quality products and service, you can be sure that your outdoor entertainment system lives up to the high standard of the rest of your outdoor living area and makes your space truly complete.

At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we have the experience and the know-how to work on projects with these ideas and more. We are ready to help you get exactly what you want and need for your customized outdoor living space.

Are you ready for an outdoor living area that helps you enjoy your time to the fullest at your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA home? If so, request your consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you get the royal treatment.