5 Tips For Creating An Outdoor Workspace Within Your Landscaped Garden

During the Covid pandemic, there were very few businesses and business sectors that were not adversely affected, and landscaping companies were among them. Given the various lockdown rules and the need for social distancing, even though the garden is an outdoor space, there were few opportunities for landscape designers and their clients to meet and discuss new garden designs.

Another result of the pandemic and lockdown was that millions of people who would have normally commuted into an office were obliged to work from home where it was feasible. Whilst this was a necessity due to the pandemic, many soon found that working at home was an enjoyable experience, and as a result, many businesses reported that the productivity of many of their employees went up significantly during this period.

Coming out the other side of covid, many of the employees who worked from home have been allowed to remain doing so, either full-time or for part of their working week. This has led to many individuals seeking ways to create an outdoor workspace with all the benefits that it brings such as working in the fresh air, and the natural surroundings.

So, if you have been considering an outdoor workspace for yourself as someone who now works from home, or if you were already working from home and wish to have an enhanced workspace, or simply for times when you are browsing the web on your laptop, here are five key tips that will help make that outdoor workspace all the more feasible and enjoyable.

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How to Achieve the Best Audio-Visual Installation Set-up For Your Home?

If the thought of bringing a cinema experience home thrills you, Audiovisual installation is a big yes. AV systems are the real deal, from the whispers of your favorite music in the kitchen to watching heart-thumping action scenes in your theater room. An exceptional audio-visual and smart TV setup contributes to a wholesome experience.

Gradually, the need for an AV (audiovisual) installer has become a high demand in residential buildings, understandably so. For audiophiles and non-audiophiles, the immersive feeling of a home AV system is an experience worth exploring.

If you would love a personalized and immersive experience in your home, this article is for you. Here, we’ll share proven tips for achieving the perfect home setup.

Adequate Planning Before Setup

Every residential audio-visual/smart TV setup starts with knowing what you want. Are you investing more in audio? Do you want to enjoy stunning visuals while watching movies? Or do you want a seamless fusion of both?

This will determine the components you should invest in. With this, you can make connections that will immerse you in your desired experience. Here are some factors to consider while planning the installation.

Choose the Right Room

The room you use for your AV setup may influence the quality of the audiovisual installation. First, is it large enough to house all the necessary components, including furniture? And is the lighting suitable for the visuals you are shooting for? The location of your set-up affects the overall sound and visuals.

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Boost Your Home’s Worth: How Landscape Design Elevates Property Value

When it comes to increasing the market appeal of your property, landscape design is an extremely important factor to consider doing. It is a question that is frequently asked by homeowners: does making an investment in landscape design actually increase the value of the property? The response is an unequivocal affirmative. This article will take you on a journey through the world of landscaping, accompanied by testimonials from homeowners who have experienced the value-adding magic of well-designed outdoor spaces firsthand.

The Importance of Making a Good First Impression with Your Kerb Appeal

The first instant that someone sees your property can leave an impression that lasts a lifetime. Not only does a beautifully landscaped yard captivate the eye, but it also gives the impression that the interior and exterior of the house are both well-maintained.

Influence on the Value:

  • Enhanced Kerb Appeal: Having a landscape that is appealing to the eye can significantly boost the kerb appeal of your home, which will help it stand out in the real estate market environment.
  • Visual Harmony: A landscape that incorporates elements that are complementary to the architectural style of your home will result in an appearance that is cohesive and appealing.

Achieving Versatile Outdoor Spaces While Maintaining a Functional Elegance

Patios, outdoor kitchens, and garden retreats are examples of outdoor spaces that are highly valued by contemporary homeowners because they combine aesthetics and functionality.

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7 Landscape Design Principles Used To Augment Smaller Gardens

It is often said that landscape designers have a bag of tricks when landscaping for smaller gardens, and whilst we accept that what they can achieve is wonderous, it is more down to their skills and experience than any hocus pocus or magic wands.

The skills and experience we talk of come from not just their early days’ training but often through years of designing landscaping for gardens and public areas of all sizes and shapes, as well as fulfilling the wishes of their clients. As a result, they will have followed several core landscape design principles on each garden’s design, and if you carry on reading, we will highlight seven of these used when landscaping smaller gardens.

Larger Plant Beds

When amateurs try to design a garden, if it is a small one, they will try to make the plant beds as small as possible. However, although it might seem counter-intuitive, it follows proven landscape design principles if you make the plant beds larger. This can be done by extending fully to the outer walls and other boundaries, with the effect being to make the garden seem more significant.

Upscaling

This is the first of two opposite approaches, however, the great news is that both of them work in smaller garden designs. Upscaling means that you increase the scale of as many features within the garden as you can as this gives the sense that the garden is larger than it is. Examples include using wide decking boards instead of thin ones, large concrete pavers instead of bricks for patios and walkways, and wide fencing panels.

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Four Plumbing Tricks to Stop Leaks Before They Begin

plumbing tricks

Leaking pipes and taps can be frustrating. Although leaks are relatively minor problems in residential plumbing, they can have significant consequences if you’re not careful. Small leaks can quickly become major if left untreated, leading to flooding and expensive water damage. You will also be wasting money and water – neither is ideal.

We’ve compiled a list of plumbing tricks you can use to stop leaks before they even begin. These include:

  1. Perform Regular Maintenance

One of the keys to ensuring your plumbing system remains in good condition is regular inspection and maintenance. Having a professional plumber review your taps and pipes is a good idea, as they can identify potential problem areas in a flash. Similarly, it would be best to have regular roof cleaning to stop your rain gutters from being ruined.

Alternatively, you can inspect things yourself from time to time, watching out for things like:

  • Corrosion, especially in old metal pipes.
  • Mineral build-up around taps and faucets, which could suggest a prolonged leak, has already begun.
  • Moist areas where water is seeping out without really leaking as such.

It’s usually relatively easy to identify potential problems, and when you do find them, you can contact your plumber and get them fixed before they cause significant issues.

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Lawn Landscaping

Lawn Landscaping

Your Front Lawn

Don’t you love driving down a suburban street and drool over a house with front lawn landscaping that must be the envy of the neighbours? According to the turf experts some people being able to do that to their front yard is a labour of love, and they find it easy to do. But there are those amongst us who just don’t have that eye for design nor do they have a green thumb.  It’s really not that hard if you can grasp a few fundamentals of landscaping design. Let’s look at some ideas that might help get you started.

The Layout

Having a layout plan in your head or at least drawn is a great start. It’s really the first step in the project. You can’t really plan what you are doing if you don’t have a concept or a layout at least. When you design your landscape, the main thing is to ensure you balance all the elements. For example, a symmetrical design will be like a mirror. Split the yard area down the middle and what you plan for the left side should be balanced by what you plan for the right as well.

If you are going for asymmetrical that is also okay as it tends to offer a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere which is nice to have in a front garden design.

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10 Benefits Of Installing Solar Panels For Your Home

10 Benefits Of Installing Solar Panels For Your Home

Solar panels are an increasingly popular option for homeowners, not just in Australia but across the world. With energy prices on what seems to be a never-ending upward trajectory and with people’s awareness of environmental issues increasing, solar energy presents a viable opportunity to address both of these genuine concerns.

Whilst energy prices and the environment might be regarded as the headline makers as to why solar energy’s popularity with homeowners is increasing, we would like to point out that there are many more reasons why installations of solar systems are occurring in ever greater numbers. The benefits that such installations create for homeowners are plentiful, and if you read on, you will discover ten of the most significant benefits of solar panels being installed for your home.

Benefit #1 – Lower Energy Bills: We will start with the benefit which is at the forefront of everyone’s mind when they decide to opt for solar panels at home, and that is reduced electricity bills. By generating your own electricity from solar energy, you can reduce your energy bills by as much as 70%, depending on your usage.

Benefit #2 – Long-Term ROI: Many people erroneously see solar panel installations as a cost. Whilst there is an obvious outlay to have solar panels installed for your home at the outset, in the longer term, due to the aforementioned savings, which will accrue month after month and the potential increase in the value of your property (see below), your return on investment will undoubtedly be positive.

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10 Ways To Identify A Storage Facility For Your Home Furniture

10 Ways To Identify A Storage Facility For Your Home Furniture

For any business owner looking for a reputable commercial storage facility, if you have never used one before, it can be somewhat daunting not knowing how to start looking, or more specifically, how to judge whether one storage company or another suits your business’s requirements.

Thankfully, it is not as difficult a process as some might think, and to make it even easier, we have outlined the ten most important points you should assess regarding any commercial storage units you are considering to determine their suitability.

#1 – Research the Company’s History: Research the storage unit company’s history and reputation in the industry. Look for how long they have been in business, any legal issues, and if they have any accolades or awards. Consider the company’s reputation within and its impact on, your local community.

#2 – Look For A Storage Facility With Positive Online Reviews: When choosing a commercial storage facility, one of your early tasks should be reading reviews from other customers who have used their services. Check various websites such as Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot or their website to see what people have to say about their experiences. Look for patterns of positive reviews that outweigh the negative ones, and take note of any recurring comments, good or bad.

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Mowing Your Lawn: Pro Tips to Get the Job Done Right

Mowing Your Lawn: Pro Tips to Get the Job Done Right

Mowing your lawn can be tedious, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and knowledge, you can get your property looking its best with minimal effort. From choosing the right mower to understanding the correct cutting pattern, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions to make lawn maintenance a breeze. Hiring lawn mowing services is always a great option if you need more time. They can cut your grass for you.

Check blade condition

Before you begin mowing, check the blade condition and mower oil levels. Dull blades tear and shred the grass, making it more prone to disease and browning. Low oil levels can lead to engine overheating and damage to the mower. If you need clarification on the blade condition or oil levels, consult your owner’s manual or take your mower to a certified technician for a checkup.

Test soil moisture before mowing

Before starting any mowing job, it is essential to test the soil moisture. Mowing a lawn when the soil is too dry can cause damage to the grass and can even kill it. The trick to a green, healthy lawn is knowing the proper moisture content of your soil. Use a moisture meter or probe to test your soil moisture; this will indicate the hydration, and you can decide whether to add water before mowing.

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Why The Direction A Garden Faces Is A Critical Factor In Landscaping

Why The Direction A Garden Faces Is A Critical Factor In Landscaping

When asked to design landscaped gardens, there are many variables that landscapers must take into account. The list of variables is a long one, and can include:

  • Client’s budget
  • Uses for the garden
  • Size of the garden
  • Garden pots or no pots?
  • Lawn or no lawn?
  • Real lawn or artificial lawn?
  • Types of plants such as shrubs, flowers, or trees
  • Limestone blocks or tiles?
  • Decking and pathways
  • Fixed features such as seating and retaining walls
  • Water features, pools, ponds
  • Timescale for completion

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Why Frameless Glass Balustrading Is One Of Your Safest Options For Poolside Fencing

Stainless Steel Pool Fence Fittings

There is no denying that the addition of frameless glass balustrading fencing around your pool area significantly enhances the appearance of the outdoors of your property, but an even more important factor to consider is how it augments the safety of your pool area too, if installed by professional glaziers. Hopefully, you already have ensured that your pool area is safe and that anyone who uses it, especially children, are aware of what precautions should be taken.

Whilst personal responsibility is key to pool safety, other safety features help, and that is why the addition of pool fencing in the form of frameless glass balustrading is a huge step forward. If you are unsure why that would be the case, especially if you are considering frameless glass balustrading for your pool, here are some reasons why it is regarded by many to be the best option.

It Creates A Secure Barrier Around The Pool

The most obvious reason frameless glass balustrading enhances pool safety is that it prevents children, especially very young children, from being able to access the pool without supervision. There are no gaps or edges for them to squeeze through, which excited children who love playing in the pool will invariably try to do. No gaps also mean that there is no risk of them injuring themselves trying to get through the gaps and getting stuck, for example.

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Things to Consider When Upgrading Your Bathroom

Things to Consider When Upgrading Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the first things many people upgrade when they purchase a doer-upper property. It holds some of the most value in your home, and bathroom renovations can sometimes be necessary just to use the space comfortably.

Although, before you start hauling out the tools and putting the plumber’s number on speed dial, here are a few things you may like to consider first.

Plumbing
Will you be leaving the plumbing where it is? Will you be upgrading the pipes? These are factors to consider while you’re in the middle of removing showers, toilets, and sinks. Sometimes, upgrading standard 1.5-inch pipes to a larger size can be an ideal way to prevent blockages in the future.

You may also like to reconsider the positioning of your piping if you are adding new appliances or taking some out.

Lighting
Lighting is far easier to adjust during bathroom renovations than it is after the upgrades. Consider your lighting needs and factor them into the entire renovation process. Some people like functional lighting that’s both simplistic and easy to install. Others prefer recessed lighting, dimmer switches, and even shower lighting to reduce shadows.

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How to Spot Low-Quality Kitchen Cabinets

How to Spot Low-Quality Kitchen Cabinets

A new kitchen is possibly one of the most significant decisions you’ll make regarding your home. It requires you to talk to experts like cabinet makers, look at different materials and colours, and consider the most desirable option for your home.

But a hurdle you may also encounter as you navigate this new and exciting world of renovations is determining quality. How are you supposed to know whether or not a kitchen you are thinking about installing is low-quality and, therefore, not worthy of your time? You’re about to find out.

The Construction Materials

Ask any cabinet maker, and they will tell you that one of the most dramatic differences between a custom-made kitchen and one you can purchase off the shelf is the construction materials. Many cabinets for bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms are made with plywood. However, some also feature MDF and particleboard, which are not as strong.

The best material type for cabinets is one that’s strong enough to handle daily wear and tear and will be resistant to heat and moisture. When you are having your cabinetry custom-made, a cabinet maker can walk you through the best options.

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Does Your Design Firm Need Digital Marketing?

Does Your Design Firm Need Digital Marketing?

As the owner or manager of a design firm, you already know that gaining new clients is essential to the success of that business. Knowing that is the easy part, but what is not so easy is knowing how to gain those clients, which is why marketing professionals recommend to all the businesses they consult with that digital marketing must be at the core of their client acquisition strategy.

Digital marketing has many benefits some of which we have listed here:

  • Improved brand awareness
  • Better targeting of prospects
  • Enhanced trust and reputation
  • More clients
  • Increased revenue
  • Outsell your competition
  • Huge ROI
  • Greater ability to adapt to trends
  • Long term results

There are additional benefits of digital marketing, so which business would not want to take advantage of them? Well, in truth there are indeed some business owners that remain unsure whether or not their business is one that should adopt digital marketing as a strategy, and that includes design firms.

So, if you remain on the fence, here are some ways in which you can assess your business and whether your design firm is one of the millions of businesses that will benefit from digital marketing.

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How To Avoid Carpet Cleaning Bait And Switch Scams

Carpet Cleaning Bait And Switch Scams

The word ‘scams’ in the title might have alarmed some of you so let us start by clarifying that the overwhelming majority of carpet cleaning companies – like Brilliance Carpet Cleaning – are honest, legitimate, and will provide a service that is professional and excellent value for money. Now that we have the disclaimer out of the way let us turn now to operators for whom we use the words carpet cleaning company very loosely.

They may have carpet cleaning equipment, and to an extent, they will clean carpets for you, but it is the way that they operate and sell you their services that is the problem. One of the most common is what is known as a bait and switch scam. If you have never heard of this term before, let us explain what it means.

First, bait and switch is not unique nor specifically an issue relating to carpet cleaning, and in fact, we are sad to say that it is a tactic used in just about every business sector and industry you could imagine. The way it is used is the ‘bait’ comes in the form of an offer or a promotion that you might think seems too good to be true. The simple fact is you would be right.

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How to Get Rid of Moss

Get Rid of Moss

If there’s one thing that often drives homeowners batty – especially those who make lawn care a priority – it’s moss. It turns up uninvited, can be tricky and messy to remove, and it can prove hazardous on footpaths and in patio areas.

Moss thrives in moist, shady areas, on rocks, soil, wood, and grass. It has thread-like stems and creates a thick mat of greenery that often gets in the way of the plants you do want to have around. So, once it takes up residence on your property, what can you do to give it its marching orders? Here’s how you can make sure your property is as moss-unfriendly as possible.

Improve Your Lawn’s Drainage

Experienced landscapers will tell you that Moss loves moisture, so don’t give it any. If there is a part of your lawn that attracts moss because it’s quite wet, then improve the drainage. Lawn care must be your priority. Aerate your soil, dig trenches, and divert water away into a different area of your property. The less water you have, the less desirable it is for moss.

Use a Lawn Spreader to Add Lime

By using lime in a lawn spreader, you can increase your soil’s pH level and create more favourable growing conditions for your grass, rather than the moss. Talk to your local gardening or lawn care expert about how to do this properly for best effect.

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How to Landscape on a Budget

Landscape on a Budget

Not everyone has the experience, knowledge, or inclination to work on creative garden makeovers themselves. And that’s okay because there are plenty of landscaping experts to lend a helping hand. However, if you are trying to bring your property up to scratch on a budget, a landscaping business owner who’s trained in that very task may not be within your reach.

If that’s the case, then you must try and battle through on your own. While it’s going to be tough without the help of someone with years of experience, it’s not impossible. Here are a few helpful hints to help you landscape on a budget.

Use Spreading and Sprawling Plants

The larger your yard, the more plants you have to use. The bigger the number of plants you have to buy, the more money you need. The problem is, not everyone has a massive budget to spend on plants alone. Therefore, you may like to consider purchasing spreading plants that take up a lot of space as a single plant. You can then buy fewer of them, however the garden maintenance of them should also be considered.

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Easy-Care Plants to Enhance Your Landscape Design

Easy-Care Plants

While landscaping and landscape design is important to many people, very few would want a yard that seems to use up all their spare time. But how are you supposed to strike a balance between a beautiful yard and one that takes minimal effort to maintain? Easy-care plants could be the answer. Here are a few easy-care plants in Australia that are worth considering to enhance your landscape design.

Liriope

Liriope is a landscape design expert’s best friend. Not only is it beautiful, vibrant, and full of life, but it’s low maintenance, affordable, and versatile. You can use Liriope for border planting, green walls, and mass planting, and grow it from a cutting. As soon as you have one substantial plant, you can then split it into smaller plants and grow those to your heart’s content too.

This easy-care plant is robust, ideal for sun or shade, and you can cut it back to allow for new growth. What more could you want?

Rhoeo

If you’re all about attitude, colour, and a little bit of pizzazz, then you’ll get that with Rhoeo. Also known as Moses in a Cradle, it’s a beautiful purple and green plant that both looks attractive and doesn’t need a lot of care. It will fill any area you plant it in – be it sun or shade – and will not ask for much love or your time. The only thing to consider is that this plant does not like wet soil and will sulk if you place it somewhere sodden. (more…)

The Importance Of Always Using High Quality Stainless Steel Pool Fence Fittings

Stainless Steel Pool Fence Fittings

A lot of people forget just how important fittings are to high quality glass pool fencing. Although the glass panels are the main component of the fence, and probably the one which people notice the most, the fittings and other hardware that holds the panels together needs to be installed right.

If you use poor quality fittings to put your pool fence together, they will be obvious. They will corrode or rust, will gather dirt and will lose their shine in no time at all. This will result in pool fencing that looks average at best, even if your glass panels are clean and well maintained.

Below thanks to ClearAzGlass we’re going to look at a few reasons why it’s so important to make sure that you always use high quality glass pool fence fittings that are made from a tough, durable material like stainless steel.

High Quality Fittings Will Last

If you’re spending money on a glass pool fence – and most glass pool fences aren’t cheap – then there’s really no point trying to save by using poor quality fittings and other hardware. They will wear out and lose their shine within a couple of years, and will detract from your entire fence.

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Getting The Most Out Of A Small Space

Small Landscape Design

Designing a new garden can be both fun and rewarding. However, it can be hard to know exactly what to do with small spaces. Should you ignore landscape design and just throw a few plants or a fruit tree in, or should you spend time and money employing a professional to come and sculpt it to perfection?

Unfortunately, there’s no real correct answer. Some people will prefer not to waste their time and money on a good quality, experienced landscaper, while others would jump at the chance to turn their small outdoor area into more than wasted space. With this in mind, I’ve put together a few things for you to think about with respect to getting the most out of small outdoor spaces.

Start With A Clear Plan

Planning becomes essential when you’ve only got a small outdoor space to work with. Before you do anything else, you need to sit down and think about the following questions:

  • What sort of elements do you want to include in your landscape design?
  • Who’s going to be using your outdoor area? Do you need to make it child friendly, or should it be designed for adult entertaining?
  • What sort of budget do you have?
  • How much time do you have for garden maintenance?

The answers to these questions will help you clarify exactly what sort of things you should include in your landscape design.

Don’t Waste Space

If you’ve only got a small area to work with, whether it be inside to create a small home office or outside to create a garden, it doesn’t make any sense to waste space. Make sure that you use every bit of your yard wisely. Having a clear plan in place before you start landscaping is the best way to make sure that you can fit everything you want in your backyard.

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Plumbing: Air Quality and Your Health

Plumbing

It’s the air that you breathe

It’s no secret that the quality of air you breathe has an impact on your health. Think pollution and its effects. You are at home more than anywhere else, so the air you breathe at home is super important. Is your air clean or is it like many homes a poorer quality than the air outside?

An expert installation by a plumber of a HVAC system ensures its efficiency is responsible for reduced air leaks and has also eliminated the exchange of air with the outside. This means that odours, chemicals, particles and micro-organisms can build up over time and are trapped inside the home. The filter on your system can keep out larger particles, but it’s not able to truly purify the air inside your home. There are specific air purifiers these days that can bring the natural energy of the sun indoors and keep your air clean to ensure greater well-being.

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Chain Link Fence for Security

chain link fence

Chain link security fencing is both practical and cheap. It provides extra security for your business or your home without costing an arm and a leg. Not all fencing contractors love chain link fencing but there are a few good reasons why this basic fencing material is a good choice.

Durability

Chain link fencing requires very little maintenance, unlike timber fences. There’s no need to spend a weekend staining or painting a chain link security fence. Termites won’t be a bother either.

The zinc coating prevents corrosion making the chain link fence great in the toughest conditions. Regardless of the weather, a chain link fence won’t fall apart.

You can get a vinyl coating in black or green if you choose, and this gives even better protection against the weather. If you damage the fence, it’s a lot easier to repair then other fencing types.

Protection

Just because it’s a cheaper option doesn’t mean that chain link won’t provide good protection and keep intruders from your property.

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Best Landscaping Ideas for Your Garden

Landscaping Ideas

Your home isn’t just a place for shelter. It’s also where you want to live the good life. Isn’t that what every one of us wants? There are lots of ways to do that. You can renovate your house and add a patio, or a pergola, or perhaps put a pool in your backyard where you can cool down on a hot summer’s day. Those are great ways to improve your standard of living. But nothing beats the simple freshness that a landscaped garden gives you. Here are some of the best landscape design ideas you can incorporate into your garden.

Driveway Dress Up

Driveways are necessary for all homes, but it can ruin your house’s picturesque view. To avoid this from happening, you can break up the plain old concrete driveway with a central median strip of hardy grass. You can plant any kind of grass there, something like couch or Buffalo grass being the best ones.  This will add a bit of color to what is regarded as a boring, functional part of a house.

Grow Blooming Shrubs

Shrubs don’t necessarily ruin your home’s aesthetics — as long as you use the right ones! Hydrangeas are highly recommended because these bloom lots of vibrant flowers during springtime. This’ll surely transform your landscaped garden into something more stunning and lively, not to mention that they can also hide cracks in your garden’s walls. They also don’t grow too quickly, so there’s no need to worry about branches!

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Concrete Gravel Boards and Posts

Concrete Gravel Boards

If you don’t know what gravel boards are, they are short panels attached below the fence panels, to keep the fencing from contact with the ground. The gravel boards will prevent mud, moisture, insects and whatever else that can cause the fence to deteriorate, which could mean replacement well before it’s due.

Easy to Install Different Ways

The gravel boards provide flexibility when the height of your fence can vary due to the terrain. For example, if the fence location is sloped, the concrete gravel boards can be partially buried making your fence sit level as a result. Another benefit from using these types of boards means they can retain soil that might naturally run away and be lost from a garden bed. If you have gardens set up at various heights, the gravel boards help to divide off each section.

Wooden Fence Posts or Concrete?

There are pros and cons when it comes to deciding on what type of fence post to use when erecting your fence. Like most things, the ‘get what you pay for’ principle also applies in the case of concrete or timber. It’s the customer’s choice to consider appearance, quality, practicality or price. It gets down to budget or what your idea of saving money over the long term means to you.

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Four Benefits of Timber Flooring

Benefits of Timber Flooring

If you are designing a new home or you are planning to renovate your existing home or an investment property, you will, at some stage, have to answer the question about the type of flooring to choose. Over the past few years, timber flooring seems to be an obvious choice for many.  Writing down the project requirements may look a bit like this:

  • What will a timber floor look like?
  • Does it have an ambient quality?
  • How easy, or hard, is it to install?
  • What will it cost?
  • How difficult or easy is it to clean?

Let’s look at a few important points that, when explained, will put you in a better position to make a decision.

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Home Or Office Relocating

Home and Office Relocating

Moving home or office is quite a bit different from moving your household possessions to a new home. Apart from the fact that you will probably need a removalist such as Brilliance Removalists Perth. Moving the home or business can be quite stressful and there are a few tips we can provide to make it a little easier and a little less traumatic.

  1. Planning

That’s a no-brainer. You have to plan everything in your business life and this is no different. There must be a reason you’re moving. Downsizing and need a smaller office? Unexpected growth and need a bigger space?

Part of the planning is to read the contractual details in your new lease very carefully.

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Pros and Cons of a Timber Fence for Business

Timber Fence

There are many different kinds of fencing to be had for both residential and commercial applications. While most fencing contractors can erect a timber fence, they will also mention the pros and cons of having one. However, they are a traditional fence used often, so it may be just what you want. Before making a firm decision, here are some pros and cons.

Pros

Timber from professional timber suppliers can be used to make many different types of fences, not just the usual picket fence. Another attractive option is the post and rail fence, which has two wide rails inserted into holes in the fence posts. Such a fence is not for security or to keep pets and toddlers in. It is to mark the boundary.

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Dealing with Common Carpet Cleaning Predicaments

Carpets are one of the things in the house that naturally tend to become a mess whether we like it or not. From stains, chewing gum, pet poop and pee, candies, to candle wax, according to Brilliance Carpet Cleaning Perth carpet cleaning predicaments are a dime a dozen. But this shouldn’t keep you from keeping your carpets squeaky clean with a few tricks on the sleeve.

  1. Chewing Gum – Things couldn’t be messier when you unknowingly step on chewing gum and accidentally stick it onto your carpet. While getting the sticky glob out may seem impossible at first, a couple of ice cubes can provide an easy solution to your woes. Begin by freezing the gum for about 30 seconds using ice cubes. After it is already frozen, you can use a spoon to lift up the gum. Then cut away the carpet strands that has caught the gum, making sure that you cut away only a small part of carpet.

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8 Reasons to Choose Shade Sails

Shade Sails

Leaving a car out in the rain and sun day and night does nothing for the duco or the interior. It is well-known that cars left in the sun become extremely hot and this has a bad effect on the materials inside the car. Sun and rain will eventually ruin the outside finish of the car as well. What can you do if there’s no garage? Shade Sails from Shade Sails Perth could offer the  protection your car needs.

Some people have no choice but to park their car in the street. They may live in a rental with no garage, or perhaps the block of ground their home is on is too small for a garage. Erecting a garage, car-port or shed can take a lot of time and cost a lot more than your budget allows. Getting the necessary permissions from council often takes months.

Meanwhile your car is outside getting scorched by all that hot weather and at risk of hail as well. So why not choose to have a shade sail instead?

  1. Shade sails are quick and easy to put up. You don’t need council permission, since it is not classed as a construction because there are no foundations needed. You can have your car protected in less than a week depending on what is needed for the installation.
  2. Sails are waterproof if you get the top quality ones that have the fabric coated so it doesn’t let the rain through. Cheaper shade cloth is not waterproof, but it can still be an option if you just want sun protection for your vehicle.

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5 Signs a Power-Point Is Faulty

electricians

While electricity helps us in many ways to achieve and maintain health, according to the Electrician Perth Experts when something goes wrong with it, knowledgeable electricians would be the first to insist it should be fixed by a qualified person – and of course, we know it’s not legal to do it yourself. This includes sparks coming out of the power points. There are several reasons why this may happen.

  1. In some cases when the cord from a device is pulled out of the power point without switching it off first, there will be a spark. This is because there was a load on the power point. In fact, the device should always be switched off where possible, before removing the socket from the wall. Having that spark means the inside of the power point gets hotter and this can wear it out more quickly.
  2. Sparks, smoke or heat coming from a power point are all bad news. It could be shorting out. The power should be switched off at the junction and an electrician called immediately, before a fire breaks out.
  3. There are several ways to tell if a power point is worn out or faulty and needs replacing. One is the switch knob itself is loose or wobbly or it won’t switch on. This means the switch is broken inside and should be replaced.
  4. If the power point is cracked or damaged, it is dangerous. Do not use it at all. Place duct tape over it so no one can try and switch it on, then call the electrician. In no way try and use it or fix it yourself. That is dangerous to your health.
  5. When you plug an appliance into the power point and find it slides halfway out again, or is loose and wobbly, it means there is wear and damage inside it. Do not use it again until it has been replaced.

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How to Make Moving into Your New Home Easier

Most people would agree that moving is a big hassle. It is not only all the packing and cleaning you have to do; moving into the new home and unpacking is also hard work. One way to make it a little easier is to label all the boxes by room type and ask the removalists like Carlton Removalists to take each box to its room.

At least then the boxes will be on hand and you can unpack all the contents near to where they will be stored.  Here are some more tips to make moving into your new home easier.

  1. Apart from labelling the boxes with the room name, colour code them for what they contain.
  1. Decide beforehand where you want the large furniture to go. Draw up a floor plan of the house and give it to the removalists so they know where to put it all if you are not right to hand to tell them. This will save you time and the inconvenience of shifting it again.

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Planning Your Finances for a Renovation

Planning Finances for Renovation

As homes get older they need lots of maintenance to keep up their value. But sometimes it gets to the point where a complete renovation is in order. Of course, this costs more than the odd maintenance job so you have to plan your finances accordingly. Having an experienced financial advisor such as Andep Investment Consultancy to help you will the financial planning for your renovation will ensure you are not left without funds for other needs.

In fact, a financial planner can do much more than help you plan for a whole house renovation; they can find many ways to help you save on costs and make sure you are getting everything possible by going through your tax refunds, investments, superannuation and other things connected to your income.

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8 Different Types of Materials for Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor-furniture

When you design an outdoor area for your home you want it to be a place you can use for many things, from relaxing on your days off to entertaining family and friends. It can be a great place for kids birthday parties too, saving a great deal of wear and tear in the home. However, when purchasing outdoor furniture it’s important to consider what material it should be made from to ensure it suits your lifestyle and budget, while still looking good and lasting.

As with most things, the cheapest is not necessarily the best choice. Even if your budget is low, paying more initially for top quality alfresco furniture can pay off because it will last a lot longer. However when it comes to the materials such furniture is made from, there are many choices.

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How to Get Your Garden from Okay to Awesome

home-gardening

It’s true that the nicest home can be ruined by a garden that is less than its best. Even a garden that is deemed okay is not really good enough for a home that is special to its owners. Digging a few flower beds or planting some shrubs is not making the most of your block of ground. It will do nothing to present your home in the best possible light. So how can you go from okay to awesome? The secret is: with professional landscaping from Landscaping Sydney.home-gardeners

The best way is to seek professional help from creative landscapers whose work you have viewed and liked already.  Most local landscape gardeners will be able to give you the address of properties they have transformed so you can at least drive past and see some of what they have done. People who do gardening or landscaping for a living are good at what they do and they know the area they work in intimately. If they don’t, they know how to find out what kind of soil is there, what the climate is and if there are mini-climate conditions on the block, or the potential to create them.

Why do mini-climate conditions matter? They enable you to have many different types of plants. For instance, if your block is on a windswept hill, you will find it difficult to grow tall flowers such as gladioli and even dahlias because the wind will blow them over and their gorgeous flowers will be bruised and ruined.

Creating the min-climate can be done by installing an attractive garden wall or thick hedge to give protection from the wind. But that is not the most important part, though it can be an important part of the whole. The important part is to have the outlay of the garden area designed by professionals to take into account every facet and turn it into an awesome asset.

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The Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Kitchens

modern-kitchen

It is surely the dream of every woman and man who cooks for the family to work in a kitchen that is both modern and attractive to them.  That is to say, some modern styles are not all that attractive to everyone. To some people, modern kitchens like the ones from kitchen professionals look cold and uninviting, while other people love the clean lines and neutral colours.

contemporary-kitchen

However, not everyone knows the difference between a modern kitchen and a contemporary one. Many people use the terms interchangeably, while purists insist there are some differences between the two. If you are renovating and want a specific style, it is necessary to know the difference in case you get something you didn’t expect.

The contemporary style of kitchen design refers to styling that is current, while modern design is really meant to convey the style that was current in about the mid 20th century.  You have to understand that it totally broke with the traditional style that had been in place before the Industrial Revolution, so it was considered innovative and modern at the time.

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