The Ultimate Summer Backyard Guide: Elevate Outdoor Living with Draper Shades, KEF, Sonos, Grills & More

Summer is all about effortless living—long afternoons, golden hour hangs, music floating in the breeze, and good food grilling nearby. Whether you’re hosting backyard gatherings or relaxing poolside with family, the right setup transforms your space from basic to unforgettable.

At Audio High, we’ve curated the Ultimate Summer Backyard Guide to help you create a seamless outdoor experience—featuring world-class audio, outdoor video, smart shading, and grills that sizzle in style.

For outdoor audio, imagine your entire yard filled with crisp, balanced sound—thanks to landscape speakers discreetly hidden among the plants or patio speakers that blend seamlessly under your home’s eaves for easy, elegant poolside listening. Add SunBrite outdoor TVs or a weatherproof projector setup, and you’re ready for movie nights under the stars or watching the big game under your gazebo with an ice-cold lemonade in hand.

When it comes to comfort, there’s nothing like cooling off with the touch of a button. Draper outdoor shades drop effortlessly to block intense sun and heat, turning your patio or entertainment area into a shaded oasis—so you can enjoy the outdoors without the irritation of glare and rising temperatures.

And let’s not forget the heart of summer entertaining: the grill. TEC infrared gas grills are in a league of their own—offering blazing-hot searing performance while also giving you the precision to slow cook or smoke at low temperatures. Get ready to serve your family the best food they’ve ever tasted off a barbecue.

Whatever your summer looks like, we’re here to help you bring it to life—beautifully, effortlessly, and built to last.

Control sunlight, heat, and privacy with precision. Draper motorized shades are built for performance and elegance—perfect for patios, sunrooms, or pergolas. Integrate with your smart home system or set timers to lower the shades during peak heat hours. With whisper-quiet operation and custom sizing, these shades are ideal for both comfort and energy savings.

Why Draper?

• Block UV rays & reduce glare
• Protect outdoor furniture & AV equipment
• Seamlessly integrate into Control4 or Crestron systems

Your soundtrack matters. Whether you’re chilling poolside or hosting a BBQ, high-fidelity outdoor speakers make a huge difference.

KEF Ventura Series

Built tough to handle the elements, KEF’s outdoor speakers deliver clear, rich sound across wide areas. They’re the perfect blend of durability and audio purity.

Sonance Outdoor Speakers

Bring high-quality audio to your outdoor spaces with Sonance’s purpose-built outdoor speakers. Designed to blend into the environment while delivering rich, detailed sound, these weather-resistant systems are ideal for patios, gardens, and backyards. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or relaxing solo, Sonance makes sure your music sounds as good outside as it does indoors.

Origin Acoustics – Landscape & Bollard Series

From the discreet Garden Series to the bold statement of Bollard speakers, Origin Acoustics offers 360-degree sound dispersion with powerful performance. Designed to blend into your landscape while delivering concert-quality sound.

Top Benefits:

• Weather-resistant enclosures
• Seamless zone control for multi-area listening
• Premium bass and voice clarity even in open-air environments

A luxury backyard isn’t complete without a grill that delivers gourmet performance. Enter TEC Grills, the original innovators of infrared grilling. Built in America with uncompromising quality, TEC Grills offer restaurant-caliber results in a sleek, modern design—perfect for the discerning outdoor chef.

Why Choose TEC Grills?

• Infrared Technology: Cook food faster with juicier results and fewer flare-ups
• Even Heat Distribution: No hot or cold spots—just perfect sears, every time
• Stainless Steel Construction: Built to last and look great for years to come
• Versatility: From high-heat searing to slow roasting or smoking, TEC handles it all

Whether you’re grilling up burgers for the family or smoking a brisket for a summer gathering, TEC Grills let you cook with precision and confidence

Elevate your outdoor experience with integrated speaker and lighting systems that combine form and function. Options like the Leon Terra LuminSound and Episode Radiance series offer a sleek, modern approach to outdoor design—delivering high-performance audio with built-in LED lighting in a single fixture. These systems are perfect for patios, pathways, and gardens, reducing clutter while creating an immersive atmosphere that looks as good as it sounds.

Whether you’re entertaining guests or setting the mood for a quiet evening, these dual-purpose solutions provide seamless style and sound—no need to compromise on design.

Great lighting turns a good backyard into an unforgettable one. Whether you’re highlighting landscape features or creating the perfect ambiance for dinner and drinks, smart outdoor lighting brings elegance, efficiency, and full control to your summer nights.

Audio High integrates outdoor lighting with leading smart home systems including:

• Lutron: Known for refined dimming control and beautiful lighting scenes. Ideal for architectural accent lighting and seamless day-to-night transitions.
• Crestron: Offers fully programmable, enterprise-grade lighting control that ties into your complete AV and automation ecosystem.
• Savant: Combines high design with powerful scene-setting. Use the Savant app or voice control to adjust lights with a tap or command.

Benefits of Smart Outdoor Lighting:

• Automate schedules based on sunset and weather
• Instantly switch between “entertaining,” “dinner,” or “movie night” scenes
• Add safety and security without sacrificing aesthetics
• Control zones individually or all at once, indoors and out

With the right lighting, your backyard becomes an experience—from golden hour cocktails to stargazing after dark.