Want to add some grooves to your backyard barbecue? No sweat. We got the lowdown on how to set it up so that you can listen to music outside once in awhile or all the time.
If you just want to listen to music outside once in a while (not every day):
Get a long coil of speaker cable, hook it into your stereo receiver, run it as best you can through the house and out the back door or window. Run the cord at the base of the wall and tape it down every few feet with Gaffers Tape to keep your guests from tripping (and your house from looking like a hot mess). Hook up your speakers to the other end of the cable, and prop them on the outside edge of your party spot. (Remember to keep any wires out of high-traffic areas, and bring your speakers back in after the party in case of rain.)
As an easier option, you can just set up an iPod speaker dock.
If you want to listen to music outside all of the time:
The basics are the same -- you’ll need to get those speakers hooked up to the receiver for your stereo. The difference: You’ll need to snag some outdoor speakers, and you don’t want a wire taped to your floor long-term. (Maybe this seemed okay in college. But it’s not now.) If you have a crawl space, you can drill a hole through the floor and run the wires under the house. Otherwise, use wire molding to keep the cords in check.
Survey your space to find good spots to both hide your speakers and offer good acoustics without cramping your style. (Robert suggests stashing them in bushes or placing them at the entrance of your crawl space.) Another popular idea? Buy camouflaged speakers, like these that look like rocks so they blend in.
There are a couple of wireless music systems on the market now too, as well as wireless speakers like this cool wireless speaker with a built-in planter and these wall sconces/speakers.
Nestpert: Robert Schindler, audio expert at Audio Advice in Charlotte, North Carolina.
-- Erin Walters
Aug 05, 2010
See More: Renovating , Decor Tricks