Category: Outdoor 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
Pool Safety Regulations
Landscaping, Outdoor Living

What Pool Safety Regulations Exist In WA?

Swimming pools are dangerous. Drowning hazards pose a significant threat to pets and young children, which means that there are a range of safety regulations associated with swimming pools in Western Australia. The most notable of these surround the installation and maintenance of pool fencing which meets certain technical requirements.

Pool fence laws are very specific, and they outline what does and what doesn’t pass as an acceptable barrier. The good news is that your fence can be versatile – even things like pool fencing are acceptable under WA law.

Below is a brief outline of WA’s pool safety laws:

Pre-May 2016 & Post-May 2016 Pools:

The regulations are slightly different for pools built before and after May 2016. Before May 2016, your swimming pool barrier could include a door that was permanently fixed shut, and the rest of the barrier had to comply with the Australian Standard 1926.1-1993.

Post 2016 the laws were tightened to make swimming pool fences safer for children. Any pool built after 2016 must be enclosed by a barrier that meets the Australian Standards AS 1926.1-2007 and 1926.2-2012. One of the major changes under the new standards is that doors can no longer form part of the barrier surrounding a swimming pool.

The rest of this article will focus on the new post-May 2016 laws.

What Technical Requirements Does My New Pool Fence Have To Follow?

The technical requirements for WA pool fences are very strict, and must be followed closely. If they aren’t, you risk substantial penalties – including fines. Some of the technical requirements that you have to follow include:

Glass pool fences – All glass pool fences need to comply with the safety standards listed above. They also need to comply with the Australian Standard AS 1288-2006.

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By Lux Living
Instant Lawn
Outdoor Living

Instant Lawn

There’s no doubt about it that laying down instant turf, is the best way to get that lush green front or back yard as quick as a DIY project. And there’s a lot of satisfaction in sitting back after a weekend of digging, raking, levelling and swearing with a cold beer and looking at a beautiful green lawn right in front of you. But you now know that there is a lot of careful preparation required before installing roll on lawn, and that is to be followed up with proper maintenance.

Timing

This is not a job you would have planned for autumn or winter. You need to pick the right time of year. In Spring, a young man’s fancy turns to outdoor BBQ’s and backyard entertainment. In Australia, we have four seasons – even Melbourne boasts four seasons, it’s just that they have it in one day! The best time to be planning this project is very late Winter or early Spring. But any time in Spring is okay if you want to have your lawn for most of summer. Just be aware of water restrictions.

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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