How to choose a staircase
There are many homes throughout Australia with staircases and in some more than one. A staircase can be tucked away and unobtrusive or can be a focal point and add real wow factor to your home. Taking regulations and guidelines into account your staircase can then only be limited by space, budget and imagination.
Read moreGetting kitchen cabinets right
Having lots of storage in the kitchen is essential. This means that the most prominent feature of your kitchen is often your cabinets. Changing the design or surface of your cabinets can instantly revitalise and update your kitchen and create a huge impact. If you love your current layout, you may only need to replace the doors for an instant makeover. However, if your old cabinets are looking worse for wear inside, it’s worth investing in some quality, custom made shelving.
Read moreRenovating? Time to think about you outdoor additions
Australians traditionally love the outdoors. We love to take advantage of the abundant sunny days and warm evenings by entertaining outdoors. Outdoor rooms and outdoor kitchens along with verandahs, decks, pergolas, patios, cabanas and gazebos provide us with a space to extend our living into the outdoors. Relaxed, informal entertaining these days is a very popular way to catch up with family and friends. You would be hard pressed to find an Australian home that does not have some form of outdoor living space.
Read moreRoofing: concrete tiles or Colorbond steel?
Whether you’re building, renovating, or doing repairs, it’s worth reconsidering your roof. The best fit for your home and lifestyle isn’t always immediately apparent, and there are plenty of factors to consider. The most popular roofing materials in Australia are concrete tiles and Colorbond steel.
Read moreBuilding inspection - why do you need one?
What is a Building Inspection? A building inspection is an examination by qualified professionals which identifies faults and hazards in a property. These can include anything from maintenance and safety issues to serious structural faults or damage. Often the problems identified are not immediately visible or apparent to the untrained eye. Special equipment may be used to gather more information. After the inspection, a report is provided which details the issues. This allows home owners and potential buyers to make informed decisions.
Read moreA homeowner’s guide to planning a hassle free home renovation
Every year, millions of homeowners all across Australia embark on ambitious home renovation projects. The most popular targets are the kitchen and the bathroom, because they offer lots of opportunities for families to stamp their personality on the space. Whether it’s a full makeover, complete with entirely new fixtures and fittings, or it’s just a spruce up to revive a tired room; successful renovations can add value to a home and expand its appeal.
Read moreBathroom ideas and trends
After kitchens, bathrooms are the most important room in the house and perhaps the next most expensive. There are no hard and fast rules to building a brand new bathroom or renovating an existing one, other than the importance of the highest standard of workmanship in waterproofing and plumbing.
Read moreBuying sustainably and how to do it effectively
Do you wish you knew how to shop for pieces that veer towards the sustainable side of things? Buying environmentally friendly items can be hard to spot without asking a million questions, and although these types of questions are always welcome it’s nice to have some knowledge before hitting the shops. Let’s look at some of the criteria to spot an eco-friendly choice.
Read moreRevive your roof
Most Australians are house proud. Regardless of the size and style of our homes we like to keep them well maintained, clean, neat and tidy. But sometimes our roofs get overlooked. Particularly if the house is two or more stories, or has a flat roof. It could be a case of out of sight out of mind. It only takes rain and wind to create leaks into our ceiling to make us realise that it’s time for some much needed roof maintenance.
Read moreSetting up a home theatre
If you love escaping into another world watching movies and television, a home theatre can provide an immersive experience like no other. This article outlines everything you need to set up your own home theatre.
Read moreRenovations for the older folk
Downsizing or moving into a Retirement Village can be a daunting prospect for the elderly. Many older folk would prefer to stay in their existing home if possible so that they can still be surrounded by their memories, chat to the neighbours they have know for decades and remain independent for as long as possible.
Read moreBring your tired timber floors back to life
There is nothing like the natural beauty of a timber floor. For centuries all kinds of timbers have been used all over the world as a choice of flooring. If looked after properly, a timber floor will long outlast us and still look good.
Read moreAppliance repair: when to call a professional
If any of your appliances have been acting strangely lately, you may have wondered whether you should call a professional. The most obvious sign is that they aren’t working at all, but other symptoms include loud noises, water leaking, decreased efficiency, and higher than normal power bills. If you’re tossing up between repair and replacement, a professional can help you assess the appliance and make the best decision.
Read moreFinding your mattress match: warnings and wisdom from the experts
When it comes buying a new mattress, most of us don’t put much thought into the purchase beyond whether or not it feels comfy in the store. We might spend an hour or two bouncing gently on different products to test their firmness, but we rarely ask the important questions. This is why, every year, thousands of homeowners end up with a mattress that just isn’t suitable for their lifestyle or sleeping habits.
Read moreDifferent types of glass
There is a huge range in the glass types available when designing or replacing the glass windows and doors in your home. When choosing the glass that is used to make up new windows or doors, homeowners have a considerably large choice in the type of glass that they would like – each with varying functions and aesthetics. The glass that is used in window and doors can be customised to suit individual preferences. This includes different combinations of thickness, size, tint, colour, and film.
Read moreChoosing the right rug for your space
A rug is the perfect way to complete your look, but they can be a very tricky thing to buy if one is unsure of what they are looking for. Design factors such as placement, colour and size are the main troublesome issues; however there are many more areas that could aide confusion.
Read moreDesigning your dream kitchen
If you like to cook, having your dream kitchen can make a huge difference to your quality of life. Keep the following tips in mind when designing kitchen you always dreamed of.
Read moreRecommended finishes for solid timber entrance doors
There have been numerous articles or recommendations on the types of finish for exterior doors, some of which are disputable. It is important to select an exterior finish that allows for movement of the timber as well as maintenance and preservation.
Read moreChoosing exterior shutters for your home
Adding shutters to your home is a great way to increase value, security, privacy, and curb appeal. They’re stylish and low maintenance, and there are plenty to choose from. The two main types of exterior shutters are plantation shutters and roller shutters.
Read more15 Striking Outdoor Lighting Ideas and Designs
Outdoor free standing lamps reference both floor lamps and table lamps and are a fabulous addition to any al fresco area. They provide an intimate, warm glow that helps create a relaxed atmosphere and enhance the ambience of your home’s exterior.
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