SMARTEN UP YOUR GARDEN

Whether you want to enhance the look of your garden or create an outdoor room, check out these gadgets

- David Crookes

Spring is upon us once again which means it's time to swap the luxury of your sofa for the comfort of outdoor seating. With an iPad and some great reading apps, an iPhone paired with active-noise cancelling AirPods 4 or a MacBook playing your favourite movie, you can sit back and relax with a cool refreshing drink while soaking up the rays long into the evening.

But you don't need to stop there. By investing in some smart kit, you can transform a garden into a stunning space that requires less effort to maintain and offers a host of entertainment options. You can light it up, enjoy delicious food, watch great shows on a large screen or get a party going with some thumping tunes. Armed with an iPhone or iPad, you can control everything via individual apps, the Apple Home app or Siri too, creating the perfect vibe for any occasion.

Over the next six pages, we're going to explore some of the options available to you. We'll be looking at the best devices to consider and we'll be explaining how they work with Apple tech. The aim is to produce an outdoor space that will provide maximum enjoyment while ensuring you, friends and family have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Outdoor power

Electricity and water don't mix so ensure lights, cameras and cables are weatherproof and intended for outdoor use. You can easily self-install battery-powered and solar-powered lights but if you need to connect to a socket (whether indoor or outdoor), you'll typically need a transformer since lighting systems require a lower, safer voltage. Lights that need wiring directly to your home's electricity supply should ideally be tackled by a NICEIC-registered electrician.

LIGHTING & SECURITY