If you’ve decided to add an outdoor sound system to your Texas property, then let us start by saying that is an excellent choice. Outdoor audio is a great way to get more use out of your patio or backyard, whether you’re big on hosting parties or simply relaxing by the pool. Of course, you’re going to want to do some research on the best brands and installation tips before you move forward. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide that will help you get started. Learn about the best options for your Dallas home, then give us a call when you’re ready to move forward!

What You’ll Need

Your first thought when it comes to outdoor audio is probably speakers, and while you’ll definitely need those, there are some other aspects you might not have thought of. The sound system should also include a subwoofer, amplifier, control system, and wiring. We typically run cables underground so that the sound system has power without impacting the look of your outdoor space.

SEE ALSO: 6 Must-Haves for Your Outdoor Entertainment System

The Best Outdoor Audio Brand: Sonance

There are a lot of brands for outdoor audio, but our go-to choice is Sonance. Their SONARRAY collection of subwoofers and speakers create exceptional sound and have never let us down when it comes to durability in the harsh Texas weather. The satellite speakers blend into the surrounding landscape—place them among bushes, flowerbeds, and paths. 

Figuring Out Your Speaker Layout

Once you have the audio equipment, it’s time to install it. But where should you put speakers? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is entirely dependent on the unique layout of your home. But generally speaking, you want to space the speakers out around the most commonly used areas of your backyard or patio. For many homes, the right approach is a circular layout with the speakers pointed inward (this keeps the audio from projecting toward your neighbors, who might not share the same music tastes that you have).

It’s common to talk about all the ways that smart window shades can benefit you and your Fort Worth, Texas home—energy efficiency, beauty, convenience, and so on. But what’s less common is information on the ways that motorized shades bring about those benefits. If you’re interested in learning about the technology that makes regular window treatments smarter, then read on. 

SEE ALSO: 3 Reasons to Invest in Motorized Shades for Your Home

The “Motorized” Part of Motorized Shades

Instead of the standard curtain rod you’d typically find in a home, smart window shades have rods with tiny motors in them. These motors either run on a track (for drapery) or cause a circular motion for roller shades. These motors are connected to a central technology system so that you can easily control if the shades are open or closed. One of the key features of quality shading brands like Lutron and QMotion is that their motors are practically silent, so you don’t have to listen to an annoying buzz anytime you want to raise or lower the shades.

The Control Methods

Obviously, one of the biggest advantages of smart window shades is that you never have to manually draw the shades open or closed. Instead, you use one of the many smart control methods available. Choose just one or all of them to add to your smart home automation system:

• Remotes: A simple, elegant remote can be used to adjust the window treatments. Just add it to your coffee table or nightstand and then push the up or down button whenever you’d like the shades adjusted.
• Phone or Tablet: You can also get the same effect as a remote straight from your smartphone or tablet. Just open up the app and select whether you want the shades open or closed in one room, a few rooms, or the entire home.
• Wall Switch: We can easily swap out the standard light switches in each room with a version that includes options to control both the lights and the window shades. The control options are personalized, and the switches come in a variety of styles to match the room’s décor.
• Wall Console: For a more sophisticated control approach, we can replace the standard wall switch with an in-wall touchscreen console. From this touchscreen, you can easily set the right shading, lighting, temperature, etc.
• Voice: Nothing beats the effortlessness of controlling a room with just your voice. By adding in a voice control device like Amazon Echo, you can simply say “Alexa, close the window shades,” and it will happen.

The Automation Possibilities

As nice as it is to be able to open and close the shades at the push of the button, the real magic happens when you integrate other systems in your home, such as the lighting or HVAC systems. With smart home automation, you don’t have to worry about controlling the window treatments—they open and close automatically depending on factors like the lighting and temperature levels in the room.

When you’re getting started with smart home automation, one of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is which system you’ll use to manage everything. There are a lot of great smart system providers out there, but the one we recommend most to our Dallas, Texas clients is Savant. If you’re interested in learning what makes Savant such a great choice for smart homes, then read on.

1. Super User-Friendly Design

The most advanced smart technology in the world won’t do you much good if it’s difficult to use. Instead of a clunky, complex interface that’s hard to navigate, Savant keeps things simple. Each screen is completely intuitive, so you know exactly where to go to manage every part of your home. You can access the system from your phone, tablet, desktop computer, or dedicated remote—whatever you’re most comfortable with. The touchscreen design helps you access each part of the system quickly, so turning on your favorite music playlist or checking the security system is as simple as pushing a button.

SEE ALSO: The Perfect Remote for Your Media Room: Savant Pro

2. Powerful Enough for All Your Needs

One of the best things about smart home automation is how it can be customized to fit your lifestyle. With Savant, you’re not stuck with a cookie-cutter solution. Instead, the system can be designed with all sorts of cool features that you might not expect. Savant is compatible with all kinds of different technologies and systems. So whatever high-end audio, surveillance cameras, or existing smart devices you have, they can all be managed by Savant with ease.

3. Reliable for the Long Haul

At the end of the day, the most important thing is that your smart home works the way you want it right when you want it. Technology can be fickle, and the more systems you try to control at once, the higher the chance that something will go wrong. We love Savant because it’s high-quality, well-designed technology. You won’t have to deal with the system breaking every few months or glitchy software that doesn’t perform the way you’d expect. Instead, it just works. When you’re investing in a full home automation solution, having a reliable system is absolutely essential. That’s why we use Savant.

If you follow our blog, you know that we love to talk about smart home automation and all the different ways you can put technology to good use. As great as it is to learn about these smart systems, it’s also helpful to get an in-depth look at exactly what DB Media Solutions is able to do. That’s why we’ve put together this overview of one of our favorite recent projects: the 2016 Home of Dreams. To learn how our team collaborated with builders, interior designers, and other trades to transform this Keller property into a dream home, read on.

What is the Home of Dreams?

In 2016, the Fort Worth Texas magazine started their inaugural Home of Dreams editorial, which oversees the construction of a gorgeous, high-end home in the greater Dallas area. The Home of Dreams is exactly what you’d expect: a property with the highest quality building materials and technologies designed by professionals to fit perfectly into the space.

About the 2016 Home of Dreams

The Texas hill country got a French infusion with this sprawling property. The French country estate spans 7,169 square feet. The open-concept layout includes a Great Room that connects a kitchen, wine room, bar, dining room, and patio. Visitors to the home might wonder why the sleek and spacious kitchen is missing an oven—it’s because most of the cooking happens in the second prep kitchen tucked away further in the home. Listed at $2.39 million, this property has been designed for ultimate luxury in every area—from the custom-built pergola in the private courtyard to the coffee bar in the master suite.

DB Media Solutions’ Contribution

DB Media Solutions handled all of the Home of Dream’s low voltage wiring, media installation, and smart home automation installation. We worked with the builders and architects from the beginning of the project to ensure that the home had the right wiring and design for reliable technology performance. As the construction progressed, we were there to oversee the installation, and we also worked alongside interior designers to ensure that the technology blended seamlessly into the home.

SEE ALSO: Make Homes Smart from the Start

Smart home technology is rapidly growing in popularity. Now, you can add everything from intelligent thermostats to automated lawn water systems to even smart washing machines! With so many options to choose from, how do you create the system that will give you the best bang for your buck? Here’s our approach to designing the perfect smart home systems for our Texas clients throughout the greater Dallas area.

1. Decide Your Goals

People start smart home projects for lots of different reasons. What about the automated lifestyle appeals most to you? Here are a few of the biggest advantages that our clients often pursue:

• Green Home:  Technology is often associated with wasteful energy consumption, but the right devices can actually help reduce your carbon footprint! If you want to lower your monthly energy bill, we recommend starting with a smart thermostat, lighting control, and motorized shades. This trifecta works together to maintain the sweet balance of comfort and energy efficiency in your home.
• Stronger Home Security: With smart home automation, you don’t have to limit yourself to the standard home security systems. Instead, smart home security can use everything from your lights to your motorized shades to your home surveillance cameras to help keep your home safe and secure.
• Greater Comfort: If you want a home that works 24x7 to keep you in comfort, there are a few smart home technologies that should be at the top of the list. Start with a smart thermostat that will keep every area of your home at just the right temperature. Add in a multi-room music system so that you can enjoy your favorite playlist wherever you are. A motorized shading solution will keep the sun from blazing right in your eyes while you’re relaxing with a good book—just pull out your phone, press a button, and the shades will lower to block out the sun.
• Interior Design: You might assume that technology just serves to clutter up your interior design with cords or remotes, but it can actually help enhance the look and feel of your home. For example, with lighting control, you can create lighting scenes that highlight artwork or architecture. You can add hidden TVs and speakers that give you great sound and visuals while remaining out of sight until you want to enjoy a show or music. And best of all, you eliminate the need for unsightly wall clutter like light switches or volume knobs because everything is controlled via your smartphone, tablet, or voice.

SEE ALSO: How to Use Smart Lighting to Boost Your Interior Design

2. Decide on DIY or Professional

Many smart devices now are being marketed as DIY-friendly—the sort of devices you can just plug in and enjoy! And if you are satisfied with very basic functionality, that approach may be sufficient for your needs. But if you want a cohesive system that works reliably and can easily achieve all of your goals for your smart home, it’s best to bring in a professional. Smart home automation integrators like DB Media Solutions are experts at designing and installing all these different types of technologies, from home theater systems to smart security.

When you work with a professional integrator, they’ll be able to connect all of the smart devices into one easy-to-use system that works together to make your home more efficient, comfortable, and beautiful.