7 design tips for an eco-friendly home that doesn't cost the earth
Having an eco friendly home is about more than just saving money. It means that you’re doing your bit for Mother Nature. Reducing your home’s carbon footprint is a worthwhile endeavour, but sometimes the costs associated can be off-putting. But what if we told you that, with a few tweaks in home design, you could have an environmentally conscious home that’s not going to cost an arm and a leg? We’re not kidding, so read on to find out seven design tips that will transform your place into an efficient and green household.
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 moreProfessional painters - the pluses
Building, renovating, updating, time for a change or selling are the more common reasons to paint your home. Inside, outside, one room or many, it is important to get the colour and the finish just right and to achieve that it is advisable to enlist the services of a professional licensed painter.
Read moreElectrical technology for the laundry
The laundry is the working room of any home - in addition to washing, drying, and ironing, the laundry often doubles as a general storage area for linen, household items and even the kids’ sporting equipment! It needs to be a functional space where you can work safely and comfortably, and modern electrical technology can help that happen without adding to power bills. This article explores some of the options that are available, that may interest you.
Read moreColour Scheming Made Easy
if you have a sunroom, look at a complementary paint colour scheme where you use colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as blue and orange.
Read moreHow to ensure your hot water stays hot
There’s nothing more annoying than running out of hot water when you are half way through washing your hair under a chilly shower in the middle of winter. If that has happened to you perhaps it’s time to replace your hot water system.
Read moreGet Decked Out
Thinking about what flooring or paving to choose for your patio, outdoor room, poolside surrounds, entertaining area or pathways?
Read moreTop 5 Indoor Floor Lamps for Contemporary Interiors
When function is perhaps secondary to design, decorative indoor floor lamps allow you to add illumination that is heavily influenced by your personal aesthetic. A decorative floor lamp is a feature that should look wonderful whether the light is turned on or off – something to consider when floor lamps can be larger in size and have the potential to dominate an area of your room. Use your lamp to create a mood to reflect your décor and treat your floor lamp like a work of contemporary art.
Read moreGuide to Bathroom Lighting and IP Rating
Starting with the technical details, safety is key when choosing your bathroom lighting. To identify whether a light is safe for your bathroom, all lights are given an IP Rating (Ingress Protection rating) which measures how resistant the light is to both water and dust particles. IP Ratings can be determined by reading the first and second digits following the initial ‘IP’.
Read moreIs your pool water-smart?
Living in Australia means we’re often conscious of our water use. But we also love to swim! Luckily there’s measures we can take to make sure our swimming pools are water-smart.
Read more5 practical ways to create a seamless flow between interior and exterior living
Enjoying time outdoors is a wonderful thing. To have a house that has outdoor recreation areas means having space to play games in the backyard, host barbecues, and form many fond memories. One of the best parts about the outdoor sections of a house is the way they integrate with the inside of a house, and the more flexible and changeable the middle-ground is, the nicer the overall effect. Sometimes it can be hard to work out ways to make one’s outdoor area more indoor-friendly, but not to worry, we’ve created this straightforward
Read moreMaking the most of your water
Water is the world’s most precious commodity, therefore it just makes a whole lot of sense to harvest rainwater and recycle our grey (used) water as much as possible. Whether we live in a rural area or a house in the city we can all do our bit for the environment and reduce our water usage and costs.
Read moreThe secrets to stress-free renovating
Renovating your home can be fun, exciting and extremely rewarding, but regardless of what you have in mind for your place, plan to keep it stress free.
Read moreHow and why to choose exposed aggregate concrete
Exposed Aggregate concrete is a great look for driveways, pathways, hardscaping, and patios. It’s made by laying the premixed concrete and then carefully removing the top layer to expose the aggregates. Here’s just a few reasons to enjoy aggregate concrete.
Read moreIncreasing the market value of your home
Increasing the value of your home is always a good idea, regardless of whether you are thinking about selling soon or not. Investing in a few upgrades for your place will significantly increase what it is worth, especially if you focus on the right elements.
Read moreTop tips for moving house
Moving house is rated one of the most stressful life events, but with some handy tips on forward planning and organisation it can become an easier and smoother process for you and the whole family. This article includes a detailed checklist of items to keep in mind when you move house.
Read more5 Types of Wall Lighting - How to Choose the Right One for Your Home
When selecting the perfect bathroom wall light, quality of the fixture and its ability withstand exposure to moisture is key. Bathroom wall lights ideally need to have an IP Rating of at least IP44 to ensure they are protected from the regular exposure to moisture that comes with regular bathroom use.
Read moreBlinds on the inside
Considering blinds for your windows? Well you will be bowled over by choice. Here is some information to get you started.
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 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 more