The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many of us to work from home and spend time indoors as much as possible. Although this period is causing many to deal with the stress of uncertainty, at least there is certainty that collectively staying home limits the spread of the virus.

Now that you’re spending so much time in your home office, have you thought about how smart technology can enhance your space and make you more productive? With the right tools, you can make your home office more convenient, luxurious, and tailored to your needs.

Let’s explore four ways smart home automation can amp up your Woodlands, TX, home office, and improve how you work from home.

SEE ALSO: Why Go with a Pro for Your Smart Home Installation?

Audio/Video System

With stay-at-home orders in place, people have been communicating more and more through phone calls and video conferencing. You don’t have to worry about conducting video calls solely through your computer — you can connect your computer to a 4K monitor or television and hear your conversations through high-performance, in-wall speakers throughout your office. Don’t like the quality of your computer’s camera for video conferencing? You can set up UHD or 4K cameras to get pristine image quality.

Summer is around the corner, meaning it’s time to embrace warmer weather and enjoy your Austin home’s outdoor entertainment. The possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can do outside — you could watch your favorite TV show or sports team on a flat screen TV while barbecuing. Or if you want to take a swim break, why not listen to a playlist through speakers in your pool?

You can extend the top-notch entertainment features from your home’s indoor space to your patio or backyard and still control everything from your smart home automation system. Here’s how you can get your outdoor space equipped for those Texas summer days and nights.

SEE ALSO: Rock or Relax Outside with an Outdoor Sound System

Outdoor Entertainment

Thanks to today’s technology solutions, you can have fun with outdoor entertainment that’s built to withstand the elements and still provide excellent performance. You can enjoy music from high-quality outdoor speakers that seamlessly blend in with your landscaping. If you want to watch a summer flick, you can view it on a flat screen TV that can weather storms and the heat of the sun.

Don’t worry about glare — there are solutions to minimize it and give you prime viewing, always. Séura’s ultra-bright TVs offer best-in-class picture quality, advanced HDR, and 4K UHD capability, even in sunlight. If you’re wondering how to place a TV in your outdoor space, Future Automation manufactures exceptional TV lifts and mounts to fit your functional and aesthetic needs.

Given the wide availability of a plethora of smart home devices from security to lighting, you might think this is an area where a professional is not needed. Can't you do a smart home installation in Dallas on your own?

You certainly can. But if you run a business, you may need the services of an information technology professional either full time or for specific help. Why? Because they know how to install and maintain complex systems, and you have other responsibilities. Think of smart home automation the same way – you could do it yourself with off-the-shelf technology, but if you want a system that works consistently and smoothly, there are compelling reasons to hire a professional smart home company.

Read on for more!

SEE ALSO: 4 Questions to Ask When Upgrading to a Smart Home

Simplified, Unified Control

If you’ve acquired any smart device, it’s almost a given that it comes with its own control app. App control is useful and convenient, but if five devices have five different apps, things can start getting confusing.

It’s almost spring in Texas; the weather is turning warmer, and the outdoors is getting greener. This is typically an excellent time to do new landscaping work both for maintenance and the spring and summer season.

You put a lot of effort into your lawns and gardens to make an impression with your home - either for yourself or your visitors. What happens after dark? Much of that investment might go unseen. Don’t let your home’s beautiful exteriors go unappreciated. With a landscape lighting plan and installation for your Houston, TX home, you can shine a light on your property and show it off.

Keep reading for three ways you can use landscape lighting to enhance the appearance of your home.

SEE ALSO: The Top Benefits of Landscape Lighting

Downlighting and Area Lighting

Our mild and humid climate makes for great trees. Downlights can be installed in trees to softly illuminate a garden, yard, or driveway. You can choose warm lighting if you prefer, but cooler toned bulbs can simulate natural moonlight for a beautiful effect.