The Summer of Sound: Outdoor Audio as a Growth Strategy for Integrators

You step outside. The sun is warm, the grill is hot, and your favorite 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 we want to deliver.

No pairing. No charging. No complaints.

We know it as audio-over-IP. But to your clients, it’s just their personal playlist, on demand everywhere.

Outdoor living is no longer a luxury — it’s a lifestyle priority. According to the 2024 Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, one in three homeowners is upgrading their outdoor areas to extend livable space.

The message is clear: clients are thinking beyond the walls of their homes. And for integrators, that shift represents a significant opportunity.

The Market is Ready to Listen

People are using their backyards as extensions of their homes, hubs for wellness, and spaces for connection. According to the National Association of Home Builders, 40 percent of homeowners added or expanded outdoor entertainment areas in 2024, including kitchens, fire features, and integrated tech. Demand for outdoor spaces has surged by 50 percent since 2020, and the trend is expected to accelerate in 2025. We’re seeing several niche trends rapidly gaining popularity and driving opportunities for outdoor audio:

The U.S. lawn and garden market is projected to reach $136.55 billion in revenue in 2025, with an annual growth rate of 2.5 percent.

This growth is fueled by a rising interest in self-reliance, sustainability, and wellness. Homeowners are integrating edible gardens, pollinator habitats, composting systems, and smart irrigation into their landscapes. The rise of modern homesteading — a blend of gardening, food preservation, and eco-conscious living — is reshaping backyard design.

As homeowners spend more hours in the backyard, we’re presented with a unique opportunity to integrate audio systems for entertainment or, in some cases, to deter garden pests by playing specific sounds and frequencies. Certain types of music have also been suggested to promote healthy plant growth.

There are many creative ways to appeal to backyard gardeners and homesteaders by extending the audio system outdoors.

Outdoor cooking has reached record levels since the pandemic. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), 70 percent of U.S. adults own a grill or smoker, and are using them at different times of the day with the rise of breakfast and winter grilling.

Brands like Traeger and Recteq have made meat smoking more accessible than ever, fueling the adoption of the hobby. Online communities dedicated to charcoal Weber® grill modifications and low-and-slow cooking techniques are thriving, reflecting a deeper cultural shift toward outdoor culinary craftsmanship.

These enthusiasts spend extended time outside, making them ideal candidates for immersive outdoor audio systems that enhance the cooking and hosting experience.

At the 2025 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), outdoor saunas and cold plunge tubs were among the most talked-about trends. It’s no surprise, as popular podcasts like The Joe Rogan Experience and Huberman Lab regularly promote the benefits of hot and cold therapy to millions of listeners. To add fuel to the fire, costs for these amenities have dropped massively, making them extremely accessible on sites like Amazon.

As these trends converge, homeowners are no longer thinking of their outdoor spaces as separate from the home — they’re expecting the same level of comfort, control, and quality. That’s where outdoor audio becomes not just a nice-to-have, but a natural extension of the lifestyle they’re already building.+

The Strategic Add-On

For integrators, outdoor audio is more than a product — it’s a business amplifier. With Audio-over-IP platforms like Crestron DM NAX network audio technology, adding outdoor zones is no longer a wiring challenge — it’s a simple network extension. And with low-voltage landscape speakers, installation is faster and more flexible. But the real opportunity lies in how it’s framed. Clients don’t ask for “distributed audio with IP-based zoning.” They may not ask at all. It’s up to us to identify the right audio experiences and tell the right story.

A System That Grows

Outdoor audio also opens the door to future expansion. Start with a single zone. Let the client experience it. Then grow the system organically — garden paths, fire pits, pergolas. Each new zone represents a new opportunity.

The takeaway? Outdoor audio is a growth channel. And for integrators who understand how to frame the value, it’s one of the most compelling ways to deepen client relationships, increase project scope, and differentiate in a competitive market. The backyard is no longer an afterthought. It’s the next room in the house. And this is the time to get your clients ready for a summer of sound.