This Old House

A brainier backyard

onths of social distancing have made outdoor spaces more central to our lives than ever before. So this might be the season to double down on smart home tech designed to make outdoor living and entertaining simpler, easier, and more enjoyable—allowing you to take your playlists to the backyard, tend the grill from afar, and dim the string lights for dinner with a voice command or smartphone app. The best devices give you the same level of control from a lawn chair that you’re

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from This Old House

This Old House3 min read
Hexagonal Herb Planter
After a decade of harvests, the raised beds in the community garden of Plympton, MA, were in desperate need of some TLC—and Girl Scout Troop 70837 was ready to dig in. Fortunately, 8-year-old Brownie Audrey Hickey had an ace up her sleeve: her uncle
This Old House2 min readArchitecture
Building Better
Choosing the correct water-resistive barrier (WRB) for a house, a.k.a. house wrap, is one of the most important decisions a builder makes, says Dettmore. “You need something that will continue to be air and water resistive in the future, even after a
This Old House4 min read
Inspired Choices
From the British design duo known for kitchen fixtures in authentic aged brass comes this high-arc bridge faucet with an antique silver look. The aged living finish never needs polishing. From $900; devolkitchens.com This 30-inch column isn’t just sl

Related Books & Audiobooks