Category: Design

Air-Conditioning-unit
Design

Which Kind of Air Conditioning Unit is Right for You

If your home has not been fitted with air conditioning by a professional, you’ll know what it’s like to be uncomfortably hot day and night during the heat of summer. You will undoubtedly have spent many nights tossing and turning, trying vainly to find an excellent spot on the sheets. You may even consume much time at the mall throughout the day just to get some relief from the heat.

Installing air conditioning in your home will be one of your best decisions. But it is essential to get the right kind. The correct type of air-con and the right size for your home are also necessary. There are three main choices for air conditioners.

  • A ducted system – is expensive to retrofit and impossible for a flat-roofed house. Excellent choice for new builds.
  • A split system reverse cycle – easy to retrofit but generally only cools one room well – depending on the home’s layout. It can heat as well.
  • A window system – smaller yet, cheaper and much noisier than the split system, but better than nothing. It does not reverse cycle, so it can’t heat as well.

If your home was built without air conditioning and you are on a budget, #2 or #3 would be your choice. Go for the split system if you can possibly manage it. These are almost noise-free inside the home and more efficient than those in the window cavity. They look much nicer too. However, they do have to be installed by a professional as they are not plug-ins.

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By Lux Living
5 Reasons You Should Be Thinking About Landscaping
Design, Landscaping, Outdoor Living, Renovations

5 Reasons You Should Be Thinking About Landscaping

As a home or business owner, you will be required to make a lot of decisions in life. One of those decisions might be whether or not you put any time, effort, or money into landscaping, gardening and lawn care.

We don’t tend to spend as much time in our gardens as we do in our homes, which may be why some people can be on the fence about whether they want to focus on this part of their property. However, aside from its aesthetics, there are many reasons why now could be the right time to start thinking about landscaping.

To Increase Your Property Value

Even in a hot property market with homes being snapped up quickly, spending time and money on landscaping can often lead to even higher returns. Your return on investment (ROI) can also be exceptional.

Some people also find that even between two similar homes, a neatly manicured yard with care and effort put into landscaping can be the deciding factor for many prospective purchasers.

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By Lux Living
Choose the Right Security Company
Design

How Do I Choose the Right Security Company for My House?

Home security is a major consideration in the modern world, especially in major urban areas where crime rates are increasing. For many people, installing security cameras and CCTV is a logical choice when it comes to protecting their property.

However, it’s important to spend a little time choosing the right security company, or else you risk running into problems in the future. Unfortunately, this is a lot easier said than done. Not all companies are equal, and not all offer the high level of service you deserve.

Because of this, we’ve put together the following guide to help you choose the right security company to look after your home. Consider the following:

Check Online Reviews and Ask for Recommendations

One of the best ways to choose a reliable security company with your best interests at heart is to check online reviews. A quick internet search will usually bring up numerous reviews from past clients, and you’ll be able to use these to make an informed decision about your choices.

At the same time, it’s always worth asking friends or family if they have any recommendations. Speak with people who are currently using some sort of security system and find out if their provider is a good option.

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By Lux Living
Clean Your Shower Door
Design, Interior Design

How to Clean Your Shower Door Perfectly

No one would openly admit to liking all household chores. In fact, most people would go as far as to say they would prefer someone else did them for them. However, there comes a time when you have to bite the bullet and combat those messy floors, dirty shower screens, and piles of dishes yourself.

However, some tasks are easier than others, and shower screens are something with which many people can struggle. How do you make sure the glass looks as good as the day you bought it?

The problem is, cleaning your shower screen is not something you should do when it looks dirty, but as part of your daily routine. Unfortunately, a combination of soap scum and hard water can not only make your shower screen look dirty, but damage it as well. Over time, etching can occur, which is permanent. The more you clean your shower screen, the better it can look.

The best way to clean your shower screen so that it looks as good as new is to wipe it down after each use with a microfibre cloth or squeegee. While it might seem like a tedious chore, it’s all in the name of saving time on a deep clean and protecting your shower screen.

Follow up the wiping process with a quick spray of shower cleaner. Get in the habit of doing this after each daily shower you take. If you hang your squeegee in the shower on a hook, it’s a gentle reminder to complete this task before you get out.

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By Lux Living
Timber Fencing
Design

Fencing Types To Consider & Their Uses

Fencing is available in many different types, and each type has its pros and cons, and are designed to meet various standards.

Timber Fencing: The versatility of wood is unquestionable when utilised for fencing. It can be cut into different shapes and sizes to fit any project to help the look. There are many types of wood available such as pine and hardwoods if budget is not a constraint. You can improve the longevity of timber fencing by staining or painting it.

Timber Fencing

Aluminium Fencing: This metal is easy to use and can last a long time with very little maintenance required to keep it looking good. You can colour treat it as well to make it look less like aluminium and to match the building. When compared to steel it is a little cheaper.

Aluminium Fencing

Chain Link Fencing: This is one of the most common types of fencing and can be used for boundary marking, keeping kids and pets safely inside as well as for many commercial uses on securing buildings and areas. Chain link is easy to install and probably the most inexpensive to use.

Chain Link Fencing

Vinyl Fencing: It lasts forever (almost), and requires very little maintenance and cleaning. You can have it a colour that matches your house. It can be used as a decorative fence or privacy and boundary marking. Its ability to weather all conditions makes it a popular and sensible choice.

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By Lux Living
Best-Use-of-Patio
Design, Renovations

How to Make the Best Use of Your Patio

Having a patio added to your home is a great idea because there are so many ways it can be used to enhance your lifestyle. Don’t just stick a few potted plants in and leave it at that. Here are some ways you can make the best use of this additional area to your home and enhance your lifestyle while doing it.

  • Start with choosing a convenient spot to have it installed. Attaching it to the home will ensure that it is convenient to use. This will actually extend the floor space of the home so you get more room without the cost of a home extension. You can use the area as an outdoor living room by adding comfortable seating, a table and even heating and lighting.
  • A patio makes an ideal games room for things such as a pool table that tends to take up too much room in the house unless you have a special room to put it in. Add a bar for drinks, a dart board on the wall and you are all set for fun evenings with friends or family.

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By Lux Living
Wicker-Furniture
Design, Outdoor Living

Using Wicker Furniture for Your Outdoor Space

After you have created a beautiful outdoor area and garden with the help of landscaping experts, you will need to purchase alfresco furniture to make it comfortable. There are many different types available and some people choose wicker furniture because it is strong, light and attractive option, especially if it is to be moved around much. A lightweight option will save muscle strain and backaches especially if there is only one person available to move it.

The original wicker was made from a variety of plant materials –

  • Bamboo
  • Willow
  • Reed
  • Cane or
  • Rattan

It was popular in days gone by and many people still look for it because they have fond memories of using it when visiting their grandparent’s home. They may not remember in those childhood days just what all the problems were with such furniture. It could not be left outside all the time because it would soon rot. If stored in a damp basements it would quickly go mouldy and be difficult to clean.  Not to mention it was difficult to clean once dirt or dust got into those small crevices. Don’t forget grandma most likely didn’t have a vacuum cleaner or even a hose to help out with cleaning tasks.

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By Lux Living
Sail Shade
Design

Tools and Accessories Needed To Install a Shade Sail

Every handyman job requires tools of some kind so if you intend to install one of the many shade sails available from One Shade Sails to create some cool shade around your home, you’ll need some basic tools to do the job. You may already have some of the tools needed if you already do this kind of work around your home.  It’s important to get tools that are right for the job, otherwise it will be more difficult than it needs to be and can be dangerous.

Here are some of the tools needed to install a sail.

  • A three-step ladder or a longer stepladder may be needed if the posts are very high. Open it up and make sure it is stable before you purchase it.
  • An 18 volt cordless compact drill driver. Cordless tools mean you can use it anywhere without worrying about running an electric lead.
  • A 100mm screw driver used as a lever to help tighten the turn buckle.
  • A carpenter’s pencil.

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By Lux Living