6 Ways to Reinvent Your Outdoor Setup For Year Round Comfort
Enjoying sunlight, fresh air and are a gentle breeze are some of the simplest, yet most enjoyable things in life.
It’s little wonder that we desire an outdoor living area as a part of our home.
We are able to combine the best of both worlds – all the creature comforts of being indoors with all the sights, sounds and smells of natural surroundings.
Whether your outdoor living space is a balcony, a patio, a deck or some other set up, it needn’t matter the season – you can enjoy your little slice of heaven whatever the weather, all year round.
Don’t quite believe that’s possible? Well, just take a look at these handy tips and you’ll be ‘living it up’ in your outdoor area – even in the dead of winter!
1. Adequate heating
Being able to enjoy an outdoor living space all year round is all about keeping cosy no matter the season.
To achieve this, you first must think about sourcing adequate heating options.
These need to be safe and functional.
Ideally, the should also be cost effective.
The most efficient outdoor heaters are electric.
Not only are they energy efficient, they are great for the environment – and, your pocket too.
2. An enclosed, or partially enclosed outdoor area
There are a few methods that you can consider in order to make your patio, pergola or other form of outdoor living area ‘transeasonal’.
This means that you can use it whatever the temperature or weather.
You could consider installing a roof and/or enclosing the space with screens or shutters to turn it into something akin to a sunroom when the weather is colder and/or blusterier.
You could also look at some kind of temporary roof cover.
Another option is to install insulation in a pre-existing structure.
This will make the area considerably warmer.
Using weather proof materials will ensure your space is usable – rain, hail or shine.
Homeadvisor is a great place to start when looking into options on this front as the site offers some very useful information on the most common solutions in outdoor enclosures – and, just what they are likely to cost you.
3. An outdoor kitchen
Yes, you heard right – creating an outdoor kitchen is the perfect way to generate warmth in your living space.
It might be a simple as a BBQ, a wood fire oven – or, you could even consider a fire pit or a built-in fireplace (always keep safety in mind) to make your outdoor space viable for entertaining guests – whatever the season.
An outdoor kitchen is also a great way to enjoy those yummy, wafting aromas of whatever it is that you might be grilling/roasting or toasting.
Marshmallows anyone?
Ikea is the master of innovation when it comes to maximising the utility of any given living space, and that holds true when it comes to outdoor kitchen products, designs and inspiration.
4. Weather resistant furnishings
Choosing the right furnishings for your transeasonal living space is really about thinking about what materials will go the distance.
It’s about investment.
Look for furnishings that offer both form and function and are made using materials that can weather a harsh summer sun (resistant to fading and chipping) but, will also be mould-resistant and retain warmth during periods of rain and/or during the colder months.
Wicker and aluminium framing seem to be the firm winners when it comes to popular and versatile materials.
Check out what lifestyle blog The Spruce considers to be the best outdoor furniture brands currently on the market – especially in terms of
weather resistance.
5. The right accessories
Don’t underestimate the ability of the right accessories in transforming your outdoor living space.
Adding your personalised touch via such elements as stylish scatter-cushions, plush throws and textured outdoor rugs can really up the ante, turning your living area into your very own ultra-luxe ‘at-home mecca’.
Select sensual fabrics (like faux fur and chenille) to bring a touch of opulence.
For an outdoor space that you’ll want to cosy up in right this minute, consider home accessories in soft, earthy hues and finely weaved textures.
Need further styling inspiration?
These beautiful examples from HouseBeautiful are sure to get you in the mood for decorating.
6. Bringing it all together
It’s all about making your outdoor living space as inviting as possible.
The additions of some lanterns – or, perhaps even some fairy lights and an ornamental statue or two – can really tie it all together.
Include lots of options for lounging, and don’t forget your four-legged friends.
If you have pets then why not bring a dog or cat bed into the equation?
If you don’t have animals, maybe a bird bath will bring extra joy?
Fill your outdoor area with jovial frivolity and the spirit of togetherness.
That’s the ultimate way to create an extra layer of warmth.
There you have it – 6 ways to make your outdoor living area a space for all seasons.
For you, it might be all about entertaining. . . or, it might just be about having a cosy nook to relax.
Whatever the case, it’s all about whatever makes you and your family/friends happiest in your home environment – all year round.
Whether you work full time, part time, or are a stay at home parent – no-one enjoys the challenge of keeping the house clean. . . No-one.
Whether it’s everyday or every weekend, cleaning the house is never high on anyone’s to do list.
Instead of spending time tidying up daily, follow these six tips for keeping the house spotless for longer.
1. Furnishings which stand the test
For those people with children, or pets for that matter, keeping your house clean can be a challenge.
Shedding fur, toilet accidents or lunch time catastrophes can mess your house up in an instant.
Avoid those messy situations by making sure your furnishings can stand up to the test.
Leather lounges are a great option when you have any potential mess makers in the house.
Durable and comfortable, a leather lounge is easier to clean and won’t absorb those particular odours a fabric lounge will.
2. Steam clean it all
We’ve all seen those advertisements which talk about the hidden germs.
Instead of mopping, try a steam clean instead.
Working at a greater heat and allowing for a more even coverage, steam cleaners are a great way to keep those floors cleaner for longer.
As well as ensuring a deeper clean, most steam cleaners come with some great add-on’s.
These can include window or mirror cleaners and hoses to get into those tight spots which may not get that much attention normally.
3. Storage is everything
As your mother used to say, “if everything has a place then there is no reason for something to not be in place”.
Storage is one the best ways to ensure mess is avoided and your house remains spotless for longer.
Ensure you have adequate storage options for excess clothes, children’s toys and even furniture.
In Summer, use vacuum sealed bags for those bulky winter clothes.
Try out a wardrobe organiser for the online shopping which never seems to stop.
Storage is a practical way avoid unnecessary mess, and makes cleaning quicker.
4. Robots are the future
Many people will likely put vacuuming at the top of that list of jobs most hated.
Time consuming and labour intensive – it’s no wonder why it gets put off to the next weekend, every weekend.
Instead of spending time every week vacuuming the house, invest in a robotic vacuum cleaner.
With developments in technology all you have to do is set the programming and watch the little miracle worker target a different area of the house each day.
5. Fabric is a key choice
When looking for a rug it’s all about the look, right? . . Wrong!
Next time you are considering your new rug, think about feel.
Ensuring that your house stays cleaner for longer can be as simple as throwing the curtains and rugs in the washing machine.
This will keep the space cleaner for longer, and won’t take up too much of your precious weekend time.
6. Have a bit of goodwill
Let’s be honest, it’s not all mess, but just stuff we don’t use and haven’t yet got rid of yet.
Our wardrobes spill out because we keep clothes we don’t wear.
That couch in the spare room probably doesn’t serve a purpose anymore.
Instead of hoarding things you no longer need, take the time to purge some belongings and do a good deed at the same time.
Take half a day and give those unwanted items to goodwill or charity bins in your local area.
Keeping the house tidy for longer can be a challenge for even the best of us.
Trying to fit everything into an already cramped week is hard.
Follow these six tips and watch your home transform into a clean haven for a long time to come.
If you’re trying to renovate a property in Australia for profits, you can easily accomplish this task by considering a few things throughout the process.
These strategies are effective and appeal to families and entrepreneurs after practical steps have been taken to compare real estate agents.
Pick the Property Strategically
Because there are many properties for sell in Australia, the process of picking an ideal option that suits specific needs can be somewhat challenging.
In order to make the scouting phase easier, you should always make tactical choices based on value.
If you need help along the way, consider working with a property investor.
Highly trained investors who fully understand trends in local neighborhoods are very strategic and usually pick beneficial properties that are 20 percent below the tradition market price.
Properties that are priced this way are usually distressed; however, key renovation procedures can be implemented to make a distressed property more valuable.
Gather Information About the Location
All suburbs in Australia have unique pros and cons that must be considered before making an investment.
In order to boost profits during a selling situation, gather accurate information about the population demographics and migration trends in the neighbourhood where potential properties are found.
If a neighbourhood has many strategic buyers, you’ll need median price trend reports as well so that you can effectively market the property in a way that appeals to potential prospects.
Consider Your Financial and Renovation Goals
When you have your ideal property, you should set a budget in order to cover the renovation costs.
While structuring your budget, carefully calculate every fees for services that may be needed along the way, such as pest management and inspections.
If the renovation costs outweigh your budget, the process of making a profit will be challenging.
Determine the Target Market
The easiest way to completerenovations successfully is by figuring out the target market before tackling any design tasks.
If this step is skipped, you may renovate the property improperly without including key elements that appeal to the prospects who will possibly make offers.
When advanced renovation steps need to taken in order to produce professional results, always work with aprofessional contractor.
If you try to tackle complicated renovation routines without professional help, you may not have many opportunities to sell the property because the most challenging phases of the renovation process will lead to costly delays.
Market the Property Properly
Depending on the scope of a project, some renovation tasks may require many steps in order to achieve ideal results.
Whenever lengthy renovations can’t be completed on time, a property shouldn’t be marketed because the process of getting reasonable offers will be tough.
Buyers are very wise and will always avoid making practical offers for houses that aren’t completely renovated.
Implement Tactical Selling Procedures
Whenever a home is renovated dramatically, specific steps may have to be taken in order to successfully market the property.
For example, if you build a porch on a home in a community that consists of houses that lack porches, you might have to advertise the property in a different market.
In this situation, you can use social media in order to pinpoint prospects who need a property that has efficient outdoor features.
Consider Taxes
Taxes should always be considered during all phases of the renovation and marketing process.
By working with a tax expert, you may be able to boost your finances by taking advantage of deductions for repairs.
If you are fortunate enough to be building your dream home, there is much to consider.
Having the luxury of being involved at the design stage allows you to really make the home a perfect place for you and your family.
Aside from the many other components, your choice of driveway material is one that requires some thought, as there are several options open to you.
Concrete is one option, but in fact, a popular material for surfacing driveways is asphalt.
If you are yet to be convinced, here are just a few reasons why asphalt may be the best material for a residential drive.
Durability – Asphalt is extremely durable, which is ideal for the harsh Australian climate, and if it is applied correctly, the surface will remain in good condition for many years. If your new home is located in NSW, North Shore are asphalt contractors with many years of hands-on experience in surfacing driveways.
Non-Slip Surface – Asphalt provides a durable, non-slip surface, even when wet, and this is essential in a residential environment, and with professional application, your new driveway will not require any maintenance.
Enhance the Look of your Home – A professionally applied asphalt driveway will really transform the look of your home, and with matching pathways and attractive stone bordering, the look will be complete. There are asphalt suppliers who offer a comprehensive service, and they can even landscape the surrounding area if required.
Maintenance Free – Concrete often gathers mould and moss and needs regular scrubbing, while asphalt gives a very durable finish and it really doesn’t require any upkeep. If you do want to give the surface a clean, a water pressure cleaner would be ideal, as it can easily remove any grease and grime that has built up over time. If you enlist a reputable asphalt contractor, they will ensure that the driveway has an adequate thickness, and this will ensure long term durability.
Choose the Contractor Wisely
There are some small outfits that drift from area to area, preying on unsuspecting homeowners by offering very low quotes on driveway resurfacing.
Once a person has agreed to have the work carried out, there would be little, if any, preparation, and the thinnest of skims would be applied.
In order to avoid this happening to you, it is best to contact a reputable company, one that also carries out commercial projects, as this means they work to a recognised standard.
Any reputable asphalt contractor would be happy to give the customer a full warranty on their work, and with asphalt driveways, time will be the determining factor, as a quality job will remain in good condition for many years.
If you want a durable surface on your driveway that is easy to keep clean its worth considering asphalt, and with a professional installation, you can say goodbye to many driveway issues.
If you are soon to move into your dream home, you have probably had a hand in the design, and now comes the interior design, of which lighting is a major component.
Technology has brought us many innovative improvements, and for the lighting industry, LED revolutionised things, and for the first time, the homeowner has many lighting options to choose from.
Incandescent bulbs are not only power guzzlers, the light spectrum is very narrow.
Bearing in mind they were invented in a time when basic lighting came from candles, the traditional light bulb has served us well, but LED solutions offer so much more, with lower input – high output.
There are many ways to really get creative with modern lighting, and here are a few ideas to transform the look of your home.
LED Ribbon
Light Emitting Diode can be formed into ribbon, which comes in a roll, and with strong double sided tape, it is very easy to attach a series of LEDs under a window sill, or above a kitchen worktop.
The strip is waterproof and can be cut to length, and with a wide range of colours, there really is no limit to what you can do.
The exterior can really benefit from LED ribbon, which can be tastefully positioned in trees or shrubs, creating a surreal ambience in the early evenings.
Multi-Purpose Lighting
For the interior, pendant lighting is a popular choice in kitchens, dining and living rooms, and halls, as it offers both general and task lighting.
If you live in Australia, there are online solutions and Carlton’s pendant lights come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours, so there’s bound to be something just right.
Pendant lighting should be at the correct distance from the table top or work surface, and around 30 inches is fine for a table, and the closer you get to the table surface, the more focused the light becomes, with 18 inches being ideal for task lighting.
Online Solutions
Remember the days when you would spend an entire afternoon driving around looking for lighting stores?
Even a large shop would have a limited selection, and it might take a few expeditions before you finally find what you are looking for.
With online solutions, you can literally browse to your heart’s content, and with an impressive range of styles and light control systems, it is the ideal place to sort out your lighting for the new home.
Free Advice
Actually, in this digital age, the Internet provides us with information and knowledge on just about every topic you can think of, and there are many informative articles online about domestic lighting.
With LED, you can really get creative.
Professional lighting experts have given the world their secrets, and with lots of high resolution images, you can really see the effects lighting has on the room.
Lighting design is critical, as this is a major component of the ambience, both inside and out, and with online suppliers, you can order everything in one simple process.
If you happen to live in Western Australia, you get to experience more sunshine hours than almost anywhere in the world,
With the outdoor lifestyle firmly embedded into the culture, you really should spend some time thinking about your outside area.
With a little creativity and a suitable budget, you could transform the most important area of the home, and make it a special area for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy.
A Comprehensive Solution
There are online companies that are dedicated to transforming outdoor areas, and for those who live in Western Australia, Perth Better Homes provide patios in Perth, and their in-house design team will help you to explore the possibilities, and whatever the outcome, they have the resources and the know how to make it happen.
They are experts at designing and creating unique outdoor areas that blend in perfectly with the home, and they can work to the client’s budget, which is ideal.
This type of company would be able to arrange landscaping, awnings, lighting and garden furniture, and if you wanted to start from scratch, they would have the resources to complete the project.
Maximise your Summer Enjoyment
Having a nice terraced area with adequate shading and nice furniture is by far the best way to experience the long summer days and evenings, and with an outdoor kitchen, the patio is complete.
Entertaining will take on a whole new dimension, and your party dates will soon be etched on everyone’s calendar, and with some professional help at the design stage, you really can’t go wrong.
Add Living Space
If you have a very comfortable terraced area, you have effectively increased your living space, and with the right screening, the area can be turned into a room and can be used all year round.
If the patio is adjoined to the rear or the side of the property, you can install some sliding or bi-folding aluminium doors, which gives you easy access to the outdoor area.
Al Fresco Dining
There is definitely something special about enjoying a nice meal in a quiet, shaded area of the garden, and if al fresco is up your street, the perfect ambience can be achieved with the right awning and some suitable garden furniture.
This Mediterranean style is very popular in Australia, as the climate is ideal, and with the right lighting, the evenings will give you and your family a warm, inviting glow.
Complement the Property
You probably have your home just as you want it, but imagine what you could do if you added a stylish patio?
It would certainly add value to the property and with the right design,and would complement the residence, and you and your family will always have a special reason for looking forward to the arrival of summer.
With the right help, there is no limit to what you can achieve in the garden, and the unlimited design options means your garden will have a truly unique look that will be the envy of all.
A new house requires a lot of planning and many decisions.
While some homeowners know they want to use tile as a covering for floors and walls they don’t often know just what tile pattern to pick or how important it can be.
That being said here are some of the basics you’ll want to consider before you choose any layout.
Why Tile?
Tile is often the go to choice for certain areas of the home.
Its ability to add striking colors and beauty is of course undeniable.
With an endless array of materials to pick from it offers protection to your floors and walls from water and heat damage.
Many materials can even offer grip to make slippery steps or bathroom floors much safer.
Layout Matters
Most homeowners don’t realise that the layout you pick is extremely important.
Some of them typically look their best when used on the wall while others tend to look more impressive as floor tile patterns.
There are a few which look stunning no matter where you choose to use them.
Also not all layouts work in every space.
For example some patterns will look much more impressive when used in large open spaces than ones that are confined.
So you will need to take a look at your space and the pattern you are considering to see if they will be a good fit.
Always Make The Process Fun
While picking the right pattern is important there’s no reason not to make the process enjoyable.
You can start to do some research and look around from the comfort of your own home by using the internet or home design magazines.
You’ll want to look for images of not only tile layout patterns that you find attractive, but ones that are installed in areas that look like yours.
This can help to give you an idea of what your preferences are and what will work well in the area you are upgrading.
Of course reading up on that specific pattern will help as well.
You can also go to visit friends, family members or locations that already have the patterns you are interested in installed for a firsthand look.
It can sometimes really help to see things with your own eyes.
Get The Right Advice
While it’s always fun and extra rewarding to complete any upgrade or installation, you may want to get some advice from a professional if you are doing the job on your own.
A pro will know from experience what will help your space to look its bests.
So while you may be stuck on what backsplash tile patterns you prefer for your bathroom or kitchen, with a quick look he or she can give you advice not just on layouts but other things like size, shape, color, and material too.
This can mean the difference between succeeding and failing so whether it’s a contractor or interior designer asking for some advice even when going the DIY route, can be a game changer.
Each of the many tile patterns available has its own special function at which it truly shines.
By knowing the basics, with a little planning, and by consulting a pro you’ll be sure to be able to use them to achieve your goals to make your new a home a sight to behold.
