“We weren’t trying to make our backyard smarter. We just wanted it to stop being so much work.”
The Dream: A Backyard That Hosts Itself
“We’d built the perfect space—and then spent every weekend working in it.”
Tarek and Maria had invested in their outdoor space: a beautiful deck, string lights, a garden wall, even a smart BBQ.
But somehow, everything still needed setting up manually—every single time they wanted to relax or entertain.
- Lights had to be turned on one by one
- The speaker system always took fiddling
- Sprinklers ran in the middle of dinner
- Security lights were either too dark or blinding
- And if they forgot to shut something down?
The whole system just stayed on overnight
“It felt like we built a resort—and then became the staff.”
Life Before Smart Tech – Stunning But Stressful
They loved the space. But not the process.
- Every BBQ came with a 30-minute tech prep
- Night setups meant running around the yard adjusting switches
- Guests would arrive before the music was ready or the patio lights were on
- The sprinkler would start up at exactly the wrong time
- Motion lights triggered after someone tripped over a path stone
They wanted to live in the moment—not behind the scenes.
The Moment That Flipped the Switch
After one especially chaotic birthday party (a blown speaker, a forgotten hose, and a guest tripping in the dark), Maria said:
“There’s got to be a smarter way.”
That night, Tarek found SheSmartTech’s article:
“Entertain Without Lifting a Finger – Smart Outdoor Kits That Run the Show.”
It was direct. Thoughtful. Built for real people—not landscapers with servers.
He clicked through and took the Smart Outdoor Quiz:
- Priorities: lighting, music, security
- Platform: Google Home
- Budget: $800–$1200
- Features: automation, voice, remote access
Their result? A personalized Outdoor Living Automation Plan.
Built around their habits, platform, and layout. Delivered that night.
No products found.
What They Installed – Outdoors, Automated
- Smart String + Pathway Lights
Turn on 30 minutes before sunset.
Brightness adjusts based on ambient light.
Turn off at 1:00 a.m.—or via voice command. - Smart Speaker (Outdoor-Rated)
Connects to Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.
Can auto-play a playlist at 7:00 p.m. on weekends. - Motion-Activated Side Yard Lights
Soft white glow—not harsh—perfect for guests arriving from the side. - Smart Sprinkler Controller
Skips watering during rain, runs automatically at dawn 3x/week.
Can be paused instantly from phone or voice. - Smart Outdoor Camera + Spotlight
Monitors front gate + garden gate.
Motion = soft spotlight, push notification + video saved. - SheSmartTech Routine Pack: Outdoor Edition
Downloaded directly from their quiz results, it included:
- Smart String + Pathway Lights
- Evening Mood”
- “Dinner Party Mode”
- “Away + Lights Sim”
- “Host Wrap-Up Routine”
Platform of Choice: Google Home
Tarek already had Google Nest speakers inside. So outdoors, they:
- Synced everything to the Google Home app
- Created routines with Assistant
- Used voice control + mobile UI for toggling mood lighting, cameras, and music
Maria loved it because she didn’t need a dozen remotes.
“Hey Google, start dinner party mode” became the new go-to.
Everything faded on, flowed together, and shut down without effort.
The Transformation – From Manual to Magical
Now? Their backyard sets itself up.
- At 6:30 p.m., lights slowly glow on
- Music drifts from the smart speaker
- The sprinkler waits until dawn
- Cameras ensure peace of mind without being intrusive
- At 10:30 p.m., the lights begin to fade
- The entire mood—managed with one command
They host more, prep less, and enjoy every second more fully.
“We don’t have to think about our space anymore. We just live in it.”
The Kit That Did It All
They used the:
Outdoor Living Kit
Perfect for:
- Backyards, patios, and decks
- Hosts who want seamless lighting, music, and safety
- Families who want automation over micromanagement
What it included:
- Smart outdoor lights
- Smart plugs
- Outdoor smart speaker
- Outdoor-rated camera
- Smart sprinkler controller
- Routine templates (from the Outdoor Pack)
- Setup map + checklist based on quiz
Want a Backyard That’s As Smart As It Is Beautiful?
Start where Tarek and Maria did—with our quiz.
Build My Outdoor Automation Plan
Get a kit map, device list, and routine plan built for your space.
Already ready?
Explore the Outdoor Living Kit
Bring smart lighting, sound, and safety outside.
Why It Matters
- Automate every element of outdoor living
- Host with ease, not hassle
- Turn ambiance into a single command
- Save water, energy, and sanity
- Create beautiful moments without micro-managing anything
Written by: Tracey De Leeuw
Founder of SheSmartTech.com
Smart Home Strategist for Outdoor Elegance