How to get the most out of your backyard in winter

The great Aussie backyard: a second living room, a party venue, the heart of summertime fun. But as the days get shorter and cooler you may find your backyard isn’t getting as much use as it deserves. This week our Hubbies offer their thoughts on how to ensure the outdoor space is still inviting during the cooler months.

Create a cosy space

This is the key to maintaining an outdoor lifestyle during winter. Consider adding a wall or fence to your deck, patio, or pergola to create a partially enclosed space that provides protection from the weather. Outdoor rugs, cushions, candles, and lounges are great ways to make your space feel more cosy and inviting.

Outdoor heating will add instant appeal during winter and is great for outdoor dining and entertaining. There are many options for outdoor heating, including wall mounted heaters and fire pits. A built-in fire pit can be a stunning feature and what better way to enjoy your backyard during winter than around the fire with friends.

Landscaping

Maximise precious winter sunlight by cutting back trees or plants that may be blocking the sun. You may find you only need to lop off a few branches but remember chainsaws and falling branches can be extremely dangerous if you are inexperienced, so consult a Hubby if you’re beyond your skill level.

Food tip: Don’t forget many healthy and delicious vegetables love the winter months and tending to a veggie patch is a great way to get the family outside. Broccoli, onions, garlic and spinach are perfect for a winter veggie garden, so give your local Hubby a call to bring your vege garden to life.

Bring the outside in

Finally, you can enjoy your backyard even when you’re rugged up inside. Big windows help fight the winter blues and allow the sunshine entry. This may be a good time to have your windows and doors cleaned. High pressure cleaning will remove any grime build-up around window frames and sliding doors. Replacing windows and doors are also options to improve the outlook and French and bi-fold doors are a great way to frame the view.

If you need help or advice please give your local Hire A Hubby a call for an obligation free quote on 1800 803 339 or visit the website www.hireahubby.com.au.

Dream makeovers: when money is no issue

Realistically, home owners tend to stick to budgets when renovating, and never actually transform their house into the home they dream of.

But if money isn’t an issue for you and you’re thinking of renovating to create your dream home, here are some before and after extreme makeovers that have transformed outdated and plain decks, gardens, bathrooms and kitchens into incredible modern spaces.

These ideas from our Hubbies might just get your minds thinking as we approach into the summer season or, as we like to say, the renovating season.

Decks:

This ordinary deck created usable space, but no style. The homeowners added a sweeping perimeter curve and metal accents to create a backyard haven. Talk to your local Hire a Hubby about how you can best utilise the space in your backyard.

 

Before                                                                                         After

Landscaping:

This house had a small patio that baked in the hot afternoon sun and reflected heat right off the white walls. See it transformed into a living and entertainment area with less yard to look after. Not only did it make the back area more usable, but it also added resale value to the home.

 

Before                                                                                         After

Bathrooms

This 1980’s attic bathroom was boring, had cheap cabinetry, an oversized mirror, and navy blue sinks and toilet. A smart remodel including beaded-board panelling, built-in shelves, separate furniture-style vanities, old-fashioned medicine cabinets, and vintage-style faucets and fixtures gave the bathroom a clean, cottage look. Have a chat with your local Hire a Hubby about turning your bathroom into a haven.

 

Before                                                                                           After

Kitchens

Dreary kitchen getting you down? Take matters into your own hands and give your cooking space a transformation with inspiration from the kitchen makeover below. This modern kitchen remodel features black cabinetry, sleek surfaces, hardwood and tiled floors, recessed lighting and a custom stone wall that gives the space a wine cellar feel.

 

Before                                                                                           After

Hopefully this has provided you with inspiring ideas to take that next step towards your dream home. For advice or a free quote on any home maintenance or renovation project, call your local Hire a Hubby on 1800 803 339 or visit the website www.hireahubby.com.au.

Spring cleaning help from Hire a Hubby

Spring is just around the corner and the daunting spring clean is looming in the distance. Many people simply declutter and clean the home but here at Hire a Hubby we can help you go the extra mile and make your home shine inside and out.

This week our Hubbies have a list of jobs that are often left out of the average spring clean but make a huge difference to your home.

 

1.    Maintenance

Once the house is sparkling clean, it’s important to make sure everything is in working order. If your home needs a little repairing in places, our Hubbies can help you out.

Our services include carpentry, gyprock repairs, doors & locks, repairs & maintenance, landscaping, fencing and more. Don’t wait any longer – replace that broken fly screen, patch up the small holes and nicks in the wall or consider regrouting any old tiled areas.

 

2.    Outdoor Cleaning

Outdoor surfaces can quickly lose their looks as they get mouldy or dirty. High pressure cleaning is a great way to remove stains, dirt and mould from outdoor surfaces, doors, windows and more. It’s the perfect finishing touch to any spring clean to make everything look brand new again.

 

3.     Renovations and makeovers

Why not get that dream kitchen or bigger bathroom you want? Whether you just want to freshen up what you’ve already got or start with something completely new, our Hubbies can help improve the quality and value of your home.

 

4.     Painting

Most homeowners discover that DIY painting is difficult and the end result is almost always noticeably inferior to a professional job. Whether you simply need help painting a feature wall or painting the whole interior or exterior of the home, our Hubbies are able to provide the service you need. Fixing a DIY paint job is often harder and more expensive than getting it done professionally in the first place so why waste your hard earned time and money?

 

5.      Fire Safety

As the weather warms up it’s important to ensure your home isn’t a fire risk. Get our Hubbies to replace your smoke alarm batteries or ask them about a gutter cleaning service to remove clogged debris and prevent overspill. They can even install gutter guards to ensure leaves and debris don’t become lodged in the gutters in the first place.

Our Hubbies can also assist your spring clean by mowing lawns and doing garden maintenance or they can build the kids a great cubby house in the backyard.

Give Hire a Hubby a call for an obligation free quote on 1800 803 339 or visit our website www.hireahubby.com.au.