The Ultimate Guide to Launching Your Outdoor Entertainment Season

Prepare Your Backyard With Integrated Lighting, Audio, and Video

April serves as the official reset month for homeowners in Ottawa and Gatineau. As the final snow melts, the window to prepare for our short but sweet outdoor season opens. You likely spent the winter dreaming of how to best use your patio once the mercury finally climbs.

Start a spring morning on the deck with a fresh cup of coffee and soft jazz playing from hidden speakers as the first perennials bloom under warm path lighting. Host a Canada Day BBQ where high-fidelity music follows your guests from the pool to the dining area without ever losing a beat or becoming deafening. Even as the air turns crisp in October, your backyard remains a destination for movie nights by the fire pit.

At Lucent Controls, we make this transition to the outdoors as easy as possible with high-performance technology. We include specialised, weather-proof technology solutions for great visuals, sound, and comfort. 

Design Beautiful Exteriors With Smart Lighting 

Standard floodlights offer harsh, flat glare. Instead, a layered approach to landscape lighting creates an inviting atmosphere that highlights your home’s best features.

We use specific techniques like moonlighting to add depth. By placing fixtures high within the branches of mature maple or oak trees, we cast soft, natural shadows downward to mimic the glow of a full moon. For stone siding or intricate architecture, we recommend grazing. This involves positioning lights close to the vertical surfaces to emphasize the rugged texture of the masonry.

Managing these layers is effortless with Lutron smart scheduling. Your system automatically triggers an "Evening Scene" at sunset. The lights might start at bright, clear levels for safety, then shift to a warm, amber entertainment glow as the night progresses. Because we utilize Coastal Source fixtures, your investment is protected against the heavy moisture and corrosion common during the Ottawa spring thaw.

Add Discreet High-Fidelity Audio Systems 

The most frequent mistake in DIY outdoor audio is mounting two large speakers to the back of the house. This creates a sonic wall where people near the building are blasted with noise, while those in the yard can barely hear the lyrics.

We advocate for a uniform blanket of sound. By using multiple small satellite speakers and buried subwoofers throughout the garden, we ensure every corner of your property receives clear audio at a comfortable volume. Speakers face inwards to keep sound contained within your property to prevent noise complaints from the neighbours. 

Our lineup includes Focal and Coastal Source equipment specifically engineered for the Canadian environment. They withstand extreme temperature swings while maintaining concert-hall quality. You also gain granular zone control. Play classic rock by the grill for the adults while the kids enjoy the top hits in the lounging area. 

Outdoor Screens Built for Daylight and the Elements

Standard indoor TVs are not bright enough to compete with direct sunlight. They also lack the internal protection needed to survive high humidity, pollen, and insects. A consumer screen left on a patio will likely fail within a single season.

We install 4K HDR outdoor displays with high-nit brightness and anti-glare technology. Enjoy vibrant images even during a bright summer afternoon. When the sun goes down, your "Movie Night" scene takes over. With a single command to your Control4 platform, the landscape lights dim to 10%, the motorised patio shades lower for privacy, and the display powers on automatically.

Start Your Outdoor Project Before the Summer Rush

A professional outdoor upgrade is an investment in your usable square footage and your family’s lifestyle. April is the time to finalize your design so you can enjoy the full season without delays. We look forward to speaking with you about your vision for a better backyard. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule your consultation and begin your next outdoor project.