Here's a common scenario: you've purchased or accessed music in different places, causing your music library to be disjointed and unorganized. With so many different music platforms today, it can be confusing to manage your library and also access it quickly and easily. The good news is that technology has advanced immensely allowing you to gather all your songs together into one easy-to-use system. With a whole house audio system – whether it's by Control4, Sonos, or any other audio company – you can stream free music anytime and anywhere in your Charlotte, NC house, or play your personal collection. We created this guide to help you understand how we can simplify your listening experience at home – and give you some organizing tips as well.

SEE ALSO: Prepare for summer fun with outdoor audio video in your Lake Norman home

Seamlessly Stream Music

Music is so easy to access today because we have free stations on the Internet available to us, like Pandora, Spotify, and local radio channels. There are also high-quality music sources that you can pay for and stream in your home. But what's the difference between them and how do you access them easily? The good news is that if you have a Control4 smart home, the system comes with built-in music services, including TuneIn, Deezer, Pandora, and TIDAL. If you have Sonos, it comes with 43 sources, including SiriusXM, Amazon Music, and Rhapsody. Here's a breakdown of how some of these sources differ.

Pandora: Free

A smart home does much more than just control your lights and TV with your phone. It can automatically start and stop every feature in your Charlotte, North Carolina home without you having to even lift a finger. The magic of automation means that you can customize all of the technology in your home so that it mirrors your day-to-day activities and schedules. In this blog we'll show you how you can create specific scenes for special occasions with your Control4 system. We've got 3 fun ideas to get you started.

SEE ALSO: Make Your Home Smart and Secure With a Control4 Installation Today

1. Pool Party
Summertime is right around the corner which means you'll have more time with the kids or other family members and friends to enjoy the warm weather. Plan a pool party with your smart home system by creating a music playlist and distributing the music to your landscape speakers around the pool and hot tub. Turn on the outdoor Seura TV and stream the football or baseball game. If it's a late-night rendezvous, you can add a lighting setting to the scene and brighten the pool, walkways, and bar area. Hit one button and it all turns on instantly! You'll have this scene at your fingertips all summer long so you can work on that tan and have fun.

2. Movie Night
Whether you have a dedicated home theater or a media room, movie night can be a breeze setting up with this saved setting. Hit a button and the shades will come down to prevent glare, the thermostat will lower to a cool degree, the lights will turn off so you can see the screen better (except for the backlights or walkways so no one trips) and the projector and screen or TV comes on. If you have the Kaleidescape server, you can pick a movie ahead of time, purchase and download it so that it's ready when you are. That way if it's Friday or Sunday afternoon, you're one click away from a fantastic flick.

3. Bake Off or Grill Out
This scene can be created for your kitchen or patio. Get the girls together for a bake off and make cookies or cakes. Or gather the guys for an afternoon grill out and prepare burgers, hot dogs, or ribs on the barbecue. Set the scene in the kitchen by playing some background music, like jazz or acoustic songs; turn up the lights so you have plenty of light to see; lower the solar shades so it doesn't get too hot; and play the Food Network so you can follow the instructions. For the guys, you can turn on a sports show or the radio to stay entertained while you make some amazing food. Cooking or baking doesn't feel like work when you have home entertainment and good company around.

There's nothing more relaxing that enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail outside by the lake. Even if you don't live in the Lake Norman area, hanging out by the pool or resting on the patio is a fantastic pastime of North Carolina springs and summers. Add a relaxing music playlist to your R&R time, and you'll just feel all your troubles melt away. And then when it's time to party with friends and family, you can play the sports game on an outdoor TV and turn on a hit radio station. But what is the best way to add audio and video to your outdoor areas? We recommend hiring a professional that has the right speakers and TVs – and of course you can always trust The Integrated Home to deliver the best solutions. Continue reading to learn more about our outdoor audio video solutions.

SEE ALSO: Transform the Soundscape of Your Home With Whole House Audio

Watch Movies and Sports Outdoors

If you love the great outdoors, then it's nice to have entertainment available on those days you want to get some vitamin D and catch up on the latest news or sports games. The summer is also a wonderful time to organize movie nights for the kids.

Seura TVs have been designed to live in your backyard all year long. They have a triple lock seal to block out moisture and protect against extreme temperatures. The best part is they still deliver incredible picture. Whether there isn't a cloud in the sky and the sun is shining super bright, or it's shaded and cloudy, your ability to see the video won't be affected. The Storm Ultra Bright TV uses luminoptics technology so that you can see it in direct sunlight. Seura also just released a line of Storm TVs that are in 4K UHD, so you can experience the best picture quality outside as well.

Spring is not only a time for renewal and fresh beginnings, but many people also do some "spring cleaning" and home renovations. It's also time to re-evaluate those goals we made in January. So why not consider using technology to help you reach your goals and also beautify your Lake Norman, NC home? Installing motorized shades is a great way to spruce up your home décor and also save energy, time, and money. Continue reading to learn all about the benefits of motorized shading.

SEE ALSO: Smart Home News for Control4 System Owners

1. Save Energy

A main reason people decide to install motorized shades is saving energy. Shades are an essential part of a climate control system. They work with lighting control systems and smart thermostats to affect the temperature of your home and reduce energy use.

Solar shades block out UV rays so that your home stays cool, but also let sunlight in so you don't have to keep the artificial lights on all day long. Lutron reports that you can save up to 60% on energy usage by coordinating your shades with a lighting control system, such as dimming your lights and lowering your shades for most of the day. The best part is, your smart home automatically raises and lowers the roller shades or draperies all day long and you don't have to lift a finger. Put them on timers, or hit a button to activate a morning or goodnight scene.

There are a lot of reasons a homeowner may want to install security cameras in their Lake Norman, NC residence. Formerly, families used security alarm systems to scare away invaders with loud, obnoxious sounds and then alert the police. Sometimes, criminals could find ways to avoid setting off the alarm, or the police wouldn't arrive in time to make the arrest. Today, surveillance cameras provide the solution of capturing the robber's activity on video so that even if he or she gets away, you have at least captured their face and actions. In addition to protecting your home from intruders, there are many other ways you can use security cameras in an integrated control system, such as checking in on children, hired help, or pets. Read on to learn more.

 SEE ALSO: How can you boost your home's cell phone signal?

Use Wireless Access to Monitor Your Home

Going out of town for vacation? Or maybe you have a second home you like to visit when the weather is nice. You can make sure your property is safe and in good condition at all times by installing wireless-enabled security cameras and then checking in on the video footage with an app on your phone. Use your smartphone to view various cameras around your home or let the system update you with text message alerts. If a person hops the fence and enters your backyard, you'll know it right away with real-time updates and video clips of the intruder. You'll be able to determine if it's a stranger, or just a neighbor or mail man, and then act accordingly. If you are busy doing activities or working during the day, you can play the recorded video later at your convenience.

Use Smart Locks for Additional Security Measures