Over the past few months, you and your family have probably spent a lot of time indoors watching movies, listening to your favorite Pandora station, or curled up on the couch reading the latest New York Times best seller. But as the chill in the air lifts and gray skies give way to bright blue, many people will be stepping out into the sunlight to enjoy their backyards. Outdoor living spaces are not only great places to enjoy while you live in your home, but they will also help attract buyers when you decide to sell. A survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that more than half of buyers would pay more for a home with an outdoor living space. We're not talking your traditional deck or patio. Think about outdoor spaces that function more like indoor rooms with comfortable furniture, fire pits, and even televisions and audio systems. What does your backyard look like? Is it time to outfit your outdoor spaces with a home audio and video system?

Consider for a moment the number of connected devices in your home. From smartphones, laptops and tablets to game consoles, security cameras, and now refrigerators, most houses have a plethora of devices, and that number typically grows depending on the amount of children in the home. According to a recent study, the average U.S. household owns 6.6 connected devices. Households with an annual income of $150,000 or more have up to 10 devices. The survey also concluded that the average American household spent $3,800 on connected devices and access to services in 2015.

The only safe prediction about such devices is the numbers per user will continue to grow as will the dollar amount families spend each year. One concern associated with this trend is that smart home products require a solid, reliable networking infrastructure to function at their full potential. The typical home network is made up of an Internet connection to the house that links to a wireless router with which everything else communicates.

After several months of being forced inside due to cold weather, recording setting snow falls, and shorter days, it’s time to start thinking about how you will enjoy the outdoors this spring and summer. Lutron lighting and Coastal Source has an array of solutions to light up your summer nights. Here are seven ideas to make the most of your outdoor spaces in Westchester, NY.

What do Lincoln Financial Field, the Statue of Liberty and the Bank of China Have in Common? The answer is Lutron lighting systems. A few noteworthy residences also on the list include the White House and Windsor Castle. Lutron Electronics, a technology-centered and people-driven company, provides a range of lighting control products from individual dimmers to total light management systems. Read on to learn more about how Lutron links lights, shades, heating systems, and security for greater energy savings, added beauty, and increased safety in your New York City spaces.