Category: Garden

Decor Ideas for a Gorgeous Outdoor Space

Guest post by George Z

A beautiful outdoor space is a great addition to any home, particularly if you love lounging, entertaining or just relaxing with friends and family on a warm day.

An excellently designed outdoor space has a stunning effect on the general appearance of a home.

Here is a brief rundown of four tips that will come in handy in ensuring your outdoor space is not only breathtaking but also homely and practical.

Creatively Incorporate a Fireplace into Your Outdoor Space

Contrary to popular misconception a fireplace is not reserved for indoor décor but can be a great focal point for an outdoor space.

Based on preference you can either go for a portable or permanent fireplace.

A portable fireplace is a great option as it gives you the freedom to change location.

On the other hand, a permanent outdoor fireplace is also a viable option as it adds a touch of luxury to your outdoor space.

Let your outdoor space act as a gathering area with some furniture around it and it will act as a serene and beautiful place to converse or read a book.

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Add Colour and Drama to Your Outdoor Space by including Living Walls

Instead of boring walls make your outdoor space more lively and dramatic using plant walls.

Plants on walls not only beautify your outdoor space but also eliminate unsightly and boring blank walls.

The idea of plant walls is amazing as it equates to literally having a vertical gardening.

Based on your preference you can either go for annual plants, edibles or perennials.

For décor and style reasons it is better to choose plants that have varying textures and have different floral hues.

This will create a beautiful contrast that will make your outdoor space stand out.

Another option is to choose artificial plants.

As stated on BuildMat plant walls page, they “instantly add life and colour to any indoor or outdoor surface” and “their real power comes from their capacity to encourage healthy living”.

Enhance the Visual Appeal of Your Outdoor Space by Incorporating Artistic Accessories

Add sculptures or beautiful statues that will make your garden more stylish and artsy.i

Depending on your taste go for sculptures with sentimental value such as your favourite animal or alternatively go for statues with historical significance such as Roman and Greek sculptures.

Also include other artistic elements such as intricately shaping the plants that are on walls or even mosaic pavers.

This will add personality and pizazz to your outdoor space.

Make use of artistic ornaments made from different materials ranging from metal and plastic to stone and ceramic.

Strategically place all artistic elements at locations where they stand out such as close to flowers with contrasting colours or alternatively make these artistic pieces a centrepiece in your outdoor space.

Add a Water Feature into Your Outdoor Space

Enhance your outdoor space by adding a water feature, particularly if you want to bring your garden to life.

You can either design your own water feature as a DIY project or opt for a store bought manufactured one.

Keep in mind that you should choose an outdoor water feature that complements the décor of your outdoor garden.

 

These tips will help in transforming your outdoor space to an outdoor room that is an extension of your home and reflects your personal style.

A Beginner’s Guide to Building an Affordable DIY Garden Shed

A Guest post by Andre Smith

A garden shed is aesthetically pleasing to look at and adds ample storage space to every home.

Rather than house garden tools in a garage or basement, many homeowners opt to build a unit that sits near their garden so it’s easily accessible.

When developing a green thumb, you learn just how valuable it is to have a shed to house all your rakes, shovels, trowels, and hoes.

Without the proper tools nearby, it’s more effort to create a garden that produces fruit, vegetables, herbs or flowers.

Planning Your Garden Shed, Board by Board

When determining what type of DIY garden shed to build, there are a number of factors to consider.

The first, of course, is location. Where in the yard do you want to place the shed? Are there tree branches that need to come down before building? Do you want it in a place where others can see it?

Once you’ve thought about these things, it’s now a matter of cost. What type of budget do you have set aside for the project?

What are your garden shed must-haves and what can you do without?

Do you have a picture in mind as to what the shed will look like once it’s built?

Find a photo or set of plans on the internet so you’re able to communicate the idea to other efficiently (You can  find plenty of ideas on Pinterest)

This garden shed page on Sheds n Homes website can also help you decide what type of shed you want.

Who will help you with building your shed?

Is it something you’ll do alone or with family members and friends?

Take into consideration the time commitment it takes to build things by hand.

If you have helpers, it will take half the time it would take you to complete the shed by yourself.

Start with the Floor

When selecting a location for your garden shed, you’ll want to make sure it’s level and that the ground drains quickly and easily.

Once you’ve found a spot close to your garden, it’s time to build the floor of your structure.

If you have the opportunity to work with precast concrete deck blocks, you’ll save yourself time and money because you won’t need floor beams.

Use the DIY garden shed plans as a guide for setting the deck blocks into the ground.

  • Set straight lumber in the ground temporarily to work as guides.
  • Use the blocks to form long walls and when you’re done, remove the lumber guides. Cut pieces of lumber to place into each deck block.
  • You’ll need to use galvanized deck screws on the next part of the floor so make sure to read the plan’s directions and purchase the right number of screws to complete the floor.
  • Work the perimeter of the floor frame until all boards are on an even plane.
  • The last step in the process is installing a pressure-treated, plywood subfloor before moving onto the walls of the shed.

Work Your Way to the Walls

You’ll need to frame the walls next.

The plan allows you to use whatever types of windows and doors that you like making it truly a unique DIY garden shed.

Keep in mind that some older windows, however, let a lot of what is outdoors inside your structure.

If you don’t want bugs in your shed, look for something different to use for windows.

  • Continue building the walls according to the plans you were provided.
  • To finish them, cover the frame with sheathing. Exterior-grade plywood is a great option because it is affordable and easy to use.
  • Cut window and door openings after the sheathing is installed as it doesn’t help to do it before just in case your measurements are off slightly.

Put a Roof on It

  • Use steel connector plates to form the roof of your small shed as your roof will be strong and not require extra work making cuts.
  • Cut the rafters according to plan and secure them with steel plates and screws.
  • Once the rafters are in place, cut two pieces of wall sheathing.You’ll want them to be triangular in shape. This helps close the gables ends.
  • Fasten the sheathing to the top of the wall and the outermost rafter faces with nails. Take note of the spaces at the top of the walls because rodents, birds, and bugs get in this way. Fill the spaces with blocks that you then fasten with screws to the top plate.

 

Now that you know what you need to do to build an affordable, DIY garden shed, it’s time to get busy.

You’ll enjoy the process of crafting by hand and admire the level of skill that you have once your project is done.

After you’ve driven the last nail and put the finishing touches on the shed, you’ll step back, admire the work you’ve completed, and put the lessons you learned along the way to good use when taking on future projects.

Best of all, you’ll have a garden shed standing in a place where there once was nothing, and that’s all the more reason to celebrate your accomplishment!

8 Ways To Lose Money On Your House

Upgrading

When you are looking at building a house the builder will be happy to encourage you to upgrade, telling you you are adding to the value of the home.

Follow their advice and you might be disappointed!

It’s much harder to sell the most expensive house in the street than the cheapest.

You may have to drop your price to even get anyone to look at the house!

Taste

Taste is a very personal matter so something you think is good taste may be considered over the top by someone else.

Similarly fashions changes so a house which may be very fashionable when built may be considered dated after 3-4 years.

One persons idea of quality finishing may be much different to someone else.

The List

Here are my 8 ways which could lose you money!

Pools and Spas

Most pools and Spas are only used for 4 – 5 months a year, but need to be maintained for the whole 12 months.

Although there are lots of people that like a pool there are as many who look at a pool like me and think “Time, Power, Chemicals, Child Safety, No Thanks!“

I see there are now companies specialising in filling up pools!

Top Of The Range Kitchens

I would agree that kitchens do help to sell houses . . . so it is worth paying for decent cupboard doors and counter tops.

Just don’t go over the top; you are never going to get back what it cost for that imported marble counter when most people will be happy with Caesarstone.

The same goes for $3,000 plus imported 6 burner stoves with double ovens, not a lot of use for working families where the microwave is more commonly used, and takeaways are common.

Expensive Bathrooms

After kitchens bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in most houses.

Like kitchens there are a lot of expensive upgrades . . . but when I look around bathroom showrooms I find it hard to see much difference between a $200 toilet and a $500 toilet.

The same goes for basins, tap wear and tiles.

Go for a free standing bath and you really need extra room to set it off so with additional building costs that $3000 bath has cost you upwards of $10,000,

Expensive Light Fittings

I was walking past a shop that sells chandeliers the other day and couldn’t resist going in for a look.

There wasn’t much for sale under $1,000, and a very fine line in appearance between classy and over the top!

Home Office

If you full time work from home you may want a home office, but some are fairly small.

Make sure it is big enough to be converted to a bedroom.

Don’t go for an expensive built in furnished office,  free standing furniture is the way to go. . . That way people will be able to see the potential to convert to a bedroom.

For most of us who do some occasional work at home see this link: Mission Control

Man Cave

A pool table and some sporting pictures on the wall may be However some people go for themed rooms of which this this Alien inspired home theatre is an extreme example.

Huge potential to give children, and grandchildren, nightmares

This is likely to put off many more buyers than it interests.

Expensive Landscaping

Landscaping is another area where buyers may or not appreciate your taste.

Whichever way it is they are unlikely to want to pay much more for an extensively landscaped property.

Once you have provided; a path round the house, some shrubs to hide the fence, and a lawn for the remainder, you have covered the basics.

Dodgy DIY

When people they can save money by doing some of the fit out of themselves I always remember looking for a house around 30 years ago.

The owner proudly said ” I built this kitchen myself.” as both my wife and I thought ‘Yes, we know, because it looks really amateurish.”

When we considered what it would cost to rip it out, and replace it with a professional looking kitchen we quickly lost interest in that house.

I’m not saying don’t do any of these upgrades . . . . just understand they are your lifestyle choices, so you are unlikely to receive the money you put in them when you sell.

What are Green Walls? and Why are they so Spectacular?

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

Green walls, known by a variety of names, including living walls, eco walls, vertical gardens or bio walls, are one of the biggest design trends of our era.

Originally developed in 1938, green walls were then known as “vegetative bearing architectonic structure and systems”. . . . A bit of a mouthfull and although an accurate description, the tongue-tying name has been shortened to Green Walls.

They are self-sufficient vertical gardens that are attached to either the interior or exterior walls of a building or structure.

Plants living in the green wall take root in a structural support directly attached to the wall itself and receive all necessary nutrients and water from within the vertical structure.

Living walls add many benefits to their environment, including overwhelming beauty, improved air quality, considerable savings in terms of energy costs, acoustics, sustainability, protection of the building, and increased property value.

Aesthetics

The most noticeable benefit of a green wall is its natural beauty.

A well designed living wall, compiled from a wide variety of plants and flowers, will add colour, texture and vibrancy to a space, and can be very visually appealing – essentially, a work of art.

Designs can be customised to enhance the look or theme of an existing space, adding beautiful touches of nature to anywhere.

Using green walls is an innovative way to accent a particular area, or to create a division of space as they are available in stand alone structures.

Quality of Air

Indoor green walls will drastically improve the quality of air in their environment.

The average person spends about 90% of their time inside where air quality is poor and there is constant exposure to harmful toxins and fumes.

Introducing a green wall will aid in absorbing and purifying the pollutants.

The efficiency of the wall will vary greatly depending on the size, and the particular species of plants used, as some species, especially tropical varieties, are highly efficient in air purification.

Having so many plants in a small area will create an oxygen rich environment, making it a healthier atmosphere for anybody in it.

Cutting Energy Costs

Both interior and exterior green walls offer significant savings in regards to heating and especially cooling costs, saving up to 20% overall.

Exterior green walls keep the outside structure an average of 10% cooler in summer, which means less heat radiates inwards, keeping the building cooler. Indoor walls have the same effect, however on a slightly smaller scale.

In the winter months, the microclimate created by green walls act as an extra insulation that reduces heat loss.

Sustainability

Introducing a green wall is a large step in sustainability, as it has hugely positive effects on the environment, as buildings become more eco-friendly and carbon emissions are minimised.

Outdoor green walls act as almost a small ecosystem, filtering air and rainwater and attracting butterflies, birds and useful insects.

Property Value

A green wall can increase property values considerably, as it adds so much to the property, both in visual beauty and the other benefits previously discussed.

Currently, green walls are on the cutting edge of design, therefore having one makes the property more marketable, and offers the area something to set it apart from the others.

How to Get Your Green Wall

Unless one has extensive knowledge of plants and the concept of a living wall, it is not recommended to attempt a project of this scale alone, especially indoors, as damage could be the result of error.

Inadequate fixing, or failure to provide a suitable watering system are two common failings.

Professionals like those at Gaddy’s Plant Hire can offer the knowledge and expertise required to incorporate a beautiful and useful green wall into your environment.

More options and information are available at Gaddy’s and a professional installation can offer longevity, as well as regular maintenance will ensure your green walls are effortlessly enjoyable.

 

See Green Wall Fail and Vertical Garden Fail for examples of what can go wrong if a project hasn’t been thought through!

 

 

What Are You Going To Do With Your Backyard?

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

The humble Aussie backyard can be home to so many different recreational activities for the family.

It is the hub for barbecues, parties, social events, birth days, and gatherings of neighbours.

When you think about it, so much can go on in the backyard that it make sense to plan it just as much as you plan your home!

During the planning, and the construction of your new house, you should have plenty of time to plan and sketch out some ideas.

You need to make sure that your backyard is a reflection of who you are and how you want to live.

So here are some thoughts:

Go Zen

I like an area where I can sit peacefully and have time for reflection.

You can go all the way with a traditional Japanese garden like this, but the key is try to have a natural look to the garden and keep it simple.

Go for shrubs and ground cover plants rather than flowerbeds . . . . It’s not relaxing to sit and think about weeding the garden beds!

Make sure you provide a seat that is protected from the sun and rain.

Getting Wet

If being active is high on your list of garden activities, than you might think about putting a pool in.

You only have to fly into most Australian cities to see how popular pools are!

IF you don’t have the space for a pool then you could think about something like a Spa.

Spas will fit into remarkably small spots, and if you go for a swim spa you’ll be able to swim for as long and as hard as you like!

Even if you aren’t interested in a pool the sound of running water can be relaxing so it might be worth thinking about a fountainn or a decorative pond.

Think About The Children

The two issues about gardens and children are keeping them safe, and having somewhere to play

Keeping them Safe

If you go for a pool remember that drowning is a real risk.

For all new pool installations you will be required to provide childproof fencing which is great.

It will be up to you however to make sure you don’t compromise the safety by placing furniture next to the fencing which will allow a child to climb the fence.

Somewhere To Play

Most young children love to run around so having an area of lawn is always good, as the occasional fall shouldn’t cause an injury.

Some play equipment or a cubby house are also things to consider.

Entertaining Area

If you like to entertain, a deck is an option well worth considering.

Futurewood composite decking supplies would be a great place to look at options for long life low maintenance decking materials!

You can take it to the extreme if you really want to, but just make sure you have the basics of shade, some comfortable furniture, good lighting and – of course – a barbecue

If it all sounds a bit too much for your budget then just buy a basic furniture and Barbeque and upgrade when you can!

 

Whatever you do, make sure your backyard will be fun, and involve the whole family.

 

See Gardening for more posts

 

Effective Ways of Relaxing On The Patio

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

If you often spend sleepless nights rehashing the events of the day or worrying about your future, relaxation techniques could assist you get the sleep you require.

Learning to shut the mind to all of the day’s stresses can allow both your mind as well as your body to rest and  recharge.

Good relaxation techniques can help combat stress during the daytime so it does not keep you awake during the night.

I often find sitting out on a patio,. or verandah when you can be away from the TV news and other distractions is an aid to relaxing

With this in mind, here are some suggestions on how you can relax on your patio at night.

Reading

Reading is a great way you can use to leave all the thoughts of the day behind you. and enter a different world.

While relaxing on your patio at night, it’s ideal that you choose something light and enjoy it in  peace.

Reading however will only work if you are among those people who enjoy reading.

Listening to Soft Music

If you’re not into reading, listening to soft music is another excellent strategy of passing time while you’re relaxing at your patio at night. Soft and relaxing music will relax your mind as well as your body. Choose soft music with no lyrics and songs that have a regular slow rhythm.

The reason for this is that song lyrics can easily stick in your mind and hence keep you awake longer that you usually stay up. Also, you can choose the sounds of nature to help you relax at your patio at night.

Taking Deep Breaths and Thinking of Good Things

While relaxing at your patio, take a few deep breaths. Taking a few slow deep breaths will assist you in releasing stress in your body.

When a person is stressed, he or she often tends to breathe in short, rapid breaths.

Getting into this habit can sort out your breathing and easily return you to a calm of state.

Thinking of good things while relaxing is also a sure way that you can use to lower your immediate stress.

For instance, you can think of how happy it is to be loved by your family or even about a great vacation you went with your friends or loved ones.

Do a little light gardening

If you have pot plants on your patio, a little evening gardening could be a great way to relax.

Simply pruning a bonsai tree or tending to your potted plants will certainly help distract you from your problems and most people find watching things grow is a good way to generate positive thoughts.

Making Sure You Are Comfortable

Of course it’s essential that you have a comfortable warm patio to relax on, otherwise the chill may way see you heading back indoors, away from your sanctuary on your patio.

Having comfortable patio furniture, with a table for nibbles and drinks is good.

Some screening to keep cold winds away is also worthwhile

There are plenty of heating options out there that can help to make your patio a haven for relaxation.

Whether you choose an outdoor heater powered by gas or electric, make it an energy efficient one to avoid having bills so high that you’ll be more stressed out than ever.

 

Outdoor Heating- What Are The Best And Most Cost-Effective Options?

Guest post by Hubert Dwight

An outdoor space is the best place to relax and to spend quality time with your family and friends, however this pleasure is usually limited to some extent during colder seasons and some cooler summer evenings.

To enjoy your patio at any time whether it is day or night perhaps you need to invest in a patio heater.

Many people feel that a patio heater would be outside of their budget, but there are many affordable outdoor heating options available on today’s market.

So, if you’re asking what options you have for outdoor heating, then let us compare some of the best choices available.

Natural Gas Heaters (Mains Gas)

Natural gas heating has been a cost effective way to add warmth to outdoor venues if your property already has. mains gas .

The installation charges are high compared with bottled gas as you will need a plumber to install pipes to heater locations but the running costs are substantially lower.

They are available in a range of options including table top and free standing models.

Larger heaters are capable of warming up an area of more than 3m in diameter.

An advantage over bottled gas is you don’t have to worry about refilling because there is a constant supply of fuel.

Most heaters are a point source so the temperature will drop considerable as you move away from the source.

LPG Heaters (Bottled Gas)

As the name suggests, this outdoor heating option uses bottled LPG, but in many ways is similar to Natural Gas.

Using gas bottles mean they are completely mobile so you can move them to different locations as needed.

These heaters have a low initial cost as you can set them up by yourself without needing a plumber for installation.

Running costs are however higher than natural gas and there is the inconvenience of having to regular exchange gas bottles, as they run out.

Radiant Electrical Heating

This heating option is good for outdoor use mainly because the radiant heat warms you, not the air around you so minimal energy is lost into the atmosphere.

With  long heating units rather than a point source it more evenly heats an area.

It is a convenient as you don’t really need to worry about filling propane or gas, as well as being low maintenance.

Low profile heat strip units (like the Heat Strip Classic units in this photo) can be mounted unobtrusively high on a wall, on a pergola, or on the roof of an al-fresco area, where is will be above the reach of young children.

If you are looking for a safe low-profile options, these are well worth considering.

 

Vertical Garden – Fail


I was walking along a Melbourne street the other day and saw this sad ‘Green Wall’ on the front of a building.

Someone has gone to a lot of trouble to set up this vertical garden. . . . . . its a pity they didn’t do a proper job and install a watering system!

Lot’s of little pots, and people wanting lots of foliage, that’s a recipe for very high water use

Unless each pot gets water every day any plant is going to die, so going round once or twice a week with a watering can isn’t going to do the job


That’s the problem with a lot of ‘trendy’ ideas’, look good initially . . . . but not thought through!

For more Unusual House Photos, Wins, and Fails, have a look at: What the………………….?

 

6 Reasons To Have A Pool

I recently posted on 6 Reasons Why I Won’t Have a Pool and got some comments back. . . . . . so here are some Alternative Views.

  1. Heat Relief – Dive in to cool off on a sweltering day. One suggestion I received was have a TV installed so you can watch it from the pool.
  2. Keeping Children Occupied  – Playing in the pool can keep children occupied for hours, and gets them away from the computer games.
  3. Relaxing –  The  resort effect can put you in a holiday mood.
  4. Exercise –  Even if the pool is not big enough to swim lengths there are  resistance exercises such as  Water Aerobics.
  5. Parties – Great location for family pool party.
  6. Emergencies – The pool water can be used to fight a bush fires. Pool water should only be used as a last resort as it can contaminate tank water, kill plants, and cause corrosion on unprotected steel.

I’m still not convinced, but if you think you might want a pool it should be considered before you buy a block and plan your home.

6 Reasons For Not Having A Pool

With the first month of summer some people are thinking about swimming pools . . . . . Not Me! and here’s why:

Safety  –  Last year 43 Australians drowned in swimming pools (RLS Drowning Report) including 18 children under 5.  For every death there is at least one more child left with permanent brain impairment.

Cost  –  Not just the initial cost, but serious ongoing costs of around $1000/year for the average pool.  These include; power to run the filters, heating (even with solar heating you need to run a pump), and chemicals .

Poor Investment  –  It’s very unlikely to increase the value of your house.  The presence of a pool will actually put plenty of people off!  If you are planning to rent out your house you will probably still need to pay someone to maintain the pool, as most tenants will probably not be interested.

No Exercise Benefit A push off the wall and a couple of strokes to get to the other end, you will get more exercise walking round the block.

Limited Use Most pools hardly get used after the first year. Even if you have got children who want to use the pool have you got the time to supervise them properly (see Safety above).

Maintenance  –  Leaves, dead birds, mice, insects, spiders you can find them all in the filters. If you don’t clean them out regularly, and check the chemical balance, you are going to have a nasty looking pool.

If you do decide to get a pool make sure you keep it clean by checking out this cleaner guide by Globo Surf

 

Don’t agree . . . . .why not leave a comment?

 

 

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