StaffMichael Short, VP, Marketing Operations and Residential, Crestron Electronics, explores outdoor audio as a growth strategy for integrators.
You step outside. The sun is warm, the barbecue is hot, and your favourite playlist follows you — not from a tinny Bluetooth speaker, but from a rich, immersive system that seems to bloom from the garden itself. That’s the summer of sound integrators can deliver: no pairing, no charging, no frustration. We know it as audio‑over‑IP. To clients, it’s simply their music — everywhere they want it.
Outdoor living has shifted from luxury to lifestyle priority. Clients are thinking beyond their walls — an opportunity integrators can’t afford to overlook.
The Market is Ready to Listen
The backyard has become a natural extension of the home, supporting wellness, socialisation and daily life. In the UK, demand for upgraded outdoor living spaces has surged as well — outdoor‑living products are on track to hit £2 billion in annual sales by 2026, and pergola installations have jumped by 400% since 2020, illustrating a shift toward expanding and enhancing garden‑based entertainment areas.
Several cultural and lifestyle trends are fuelling this shift — and with them, demand for outdoor audio.
Gardening, Landscaping and Modern Homesteading
The UK landscape market is projected to reach £7.7 billion, driven by interest in sustainability, self‑reliance and wellness. Homeowners are integrating edible gardens, pollinator habitats, composting systems and smart irrigation. As they spend more time in these spaces, integrators can position audio as part of the experience — whether for entertainment, deterring garden pests or even for encouraging plant health with certain types of music. There are creative ways to extend the audio story into these serene, highly personalised environments.
Outdoor Cooking and Meat Smoking Culture
Outdoor cooking has exploded. More than 60% of UK households own a barbecue, and many now cook outside year‑round. Brands like Traeger and Recteq have popularised smoking and precision grilling, while online communities dedicated to charcoal Weber modifications and low‑and‑slow techniques have created loyal hobbyists who spend long hours outdoors. For integrators, these enthusiasts are ideal prospects for immersive audio systems that elevate both cooking and hosting.
Saunas and Cold Plunges
At the 2025 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show, outdoor saunas and cold‑plunge tubs were breakout trends. Influencers and podcasters have championed hot/cold therapy, and falling prices have brought these once‑premium amenities into the mainstream. As clients invest in wellness‑driven outdoor spaces, they expect the same comfort, control and quality they enjoy inside — which naturally includes audio.
Together, these trends point to a simple truth: homeowners no longer see outdoor areas as separate from the home. They expect continuity — and outdoor audio is one of the most seamless ways to deliver it.
The Strategic Add-On
Outdoor audio isn’t just a product; it’s a business amplifier. With audio‑over‑IP solutions like Crestron DM NAX technology, adding outdoor zones becomes a network extension — not a wiring challenge. Low‑voltage landscape speakers make installation flexible and fast.
Crucially, clients rarely ask for “distributed audio” or “IP‑based zoning.” They ask for experiences. It’s the integrator’s role to tell the story: convenience, ambience, entertainment and lifestyle.
A System That Grows
Outdoor audio also creates a path for natural system expansion. Start with a single zone. Let clients live with it. As they host, cook, garden and relax, new opportunities appear — garden paths, fire pits, pergolas, pools. Each zone becomes an upsell moment rooted in genuine value.
The Takeaway
Outdoor audio is a true growth channel. Integrators who understand how to frame its value can deepen client relationships, increase project scope and differentiate their services. The backyard is no longer an afterthought — it’s the next room in the house. Now is the time to prepare clients for their own summer of sound with the help of Crestron.
