We are all waiting for the end of the year, when our summer starts and everyone else’s ends, which is a time to make the best use of that magical garden! Most Aussie homes are well set up for outdoor rest and relaxation; if you are looking to add a few features to brighten up your garden, here are a few tips.
- Shading matters – If you have a retractable roof, you have the ultimate in shading, with remote control and sensors; other options include cantilever umbrellas and custom-made awnings. If those old awnings make the space look jaded, search online for made-to-measure solutions from a leading Australian supplier.
- Composite decking – Check out the stunning range of Trex accessories that add a touch of style to these composite deck planks; the material never degrades, doesn’t require maintenance and is easy to work with. This is a ‘fit and forget’ solution for at least 15 years and rain and sun won’t fade your deck.
- Consider artificial grass – While early versions were not up to much, the latest generation of premium artificial grass is everything you could hope for and what’s more, it is pet-friendly! 15-18mm is the perfect length and you can finally get rid of that old mower! Once again, Google can help you find an Australian supplier and with so many benefits, the sooner you make the switch, the better.
- Coloured LED lighting – You can create a Disney-type ambience when the sun goes down; LED strips can be fixed to window frames and draped on trees for a wow effect. There’s no limit to what can be achieved with LED lighting and your local electrician can install waterproof solutions. Click here for a cool candle blog for Australians.
- Bluetooth speakers – A couple of small Bluetooth speakers are more than enough for great sound; who doesn’t like music in the background, especially when entertaining? You can control the outdoor sound system using an app on your smartphone, which means you can bring up playlists as and when you want. There are no cables needed with Bluetooth, providing they are not too far away from the house.
- Prune back trees and shrubs – Now is the time to do this; shape large trees and remove deadwood, looking for signs of disease. If you don’t have the time or inclination to work in the garden, call a local landscape gardener and he can visit once a week for a tidy-up. It might be an idea to ask a local arborist to inspect your trees and shrubs; he would make some recommendations for nutrients and give you a detailed report.
While summer is over, next year will soon come around and this is the time to plan any exterior improvements you might be planning. The web hosts great resources, especially for cool garden add-ons and with a little planning and a decent budget, you can add to your exterior living space.