Smart Outdoor Living This Spring: Control4, Shelly & Govee
Spring is here, and across Europe, terraces are getting swept, grills uncovered, and outdoor lights tested for the first time since autumn. At S3, that means it’s time to reawaken our cottage Control4 system—and yes, give the wine terrace a proper glow-up.
Whether you’re an installer, homeowner, or just a curious geek, here’s how we make spring sing outdoors using Control4, Shelly, and Govee.
Control4 Outside? Absolutely.
Control4 isn’t just for cinema rooms and indoor mood lighting. At our cottage in the Balaton Highlands, it runs:
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The Triad OD speakers around the terrace
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Outdoor path lights and zone lighting
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Projector & screen setup for movie nights
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A “Wine Time” scene (don’t judge us)
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The “All Off” that ensures nothing is left buzzing after bedtime
Everything is controlled via the Control4 app, keypads, or handheld remote. The result? Seamless control and serious atmosphere, even in wellies.
Checking in from anywhere—our Control4 app gives us instant access to security cameras at the cottage, whether we’re in Budapest or just still in bed.
Shelly: The Smartest Little Add-On
For legacy lights and pumps, Shelly relays are our secret weapon. These pocket-sized powerhouses retrofit beautifully into existing outdoor gear and integrate smoothly with Control4 thanks to Chowmain drivers.
We’ve used them for:
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Turning an old floodlight into a smart scene element
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Automating a garden fountain
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Connecting our slightly moody electric gate to the system
Affordable, reliable, and surprisingly clever—they’re ideal for giving “dumb” devices a new lease on life.
Yes, Govee. And Yes, It’s Integrated.
While Govee started as a consumer brand known for plug-and-play RGB lighting, it now plays nicely with Control4 via a Chowmain driver. That means you can add colourful, dynamic effects and control them natively within your project scenes.
At our cottage, we use Govee for:
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Ambience lighting in the trees and flowerbeds
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Seasonal colour changes (hello Easter pastels)
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Light shows for weekend dinner parties
It’s playful, affordable, and now—fully integrated. We say: why not?
Spring Smart Checklist for Outdoor Spaces
Ready to help a client (or yourself) level up for smart outdoor living this spring? Here’s a quick checklist to get you going:
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✅ Extend lighting scenes to gardens, terraces, and driveways
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✅ Use Shelly relays for retrofitted outdoor automation
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✅ Install or recommission outdoor audio zones
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✅ Set Control4 schedules based on astronomical timers
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✅ Integrate Govee lighting for colour, fun, and festive vibes
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✅ Ensure remote access is active for weekend homes
Final Word from the Garden
At our winehouse in the Balaton Highlands, spring arrives with birdsong, longer evenings, and that first proper glass of Kéknyelű on the terrace. The Control4 system hums back to life, the Shelly relays do their quiet work in the background, and—yes—even the Govee lights get a run-through for the next impromptu dinner party under the stars.
We live what we install. And whether it’s tuning the lights for a sunset wine tasting or setting the perfect playlist across the garden speakers, smart tech makes it all feel seamless.
If you’ve got a garden, terrace, or summer house just waiting to wake up—give us a shout. The sun’s out, the wine’s chilled, and it’s time to make outdoor living smarter.
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