Month: August 2017

Are you a first home buyer, looking to downsize or have a small home? Have you got an area that you wish to focus on but is a little limited in space? We have solutions for you!

Regardless of the size of your space, there are so many inspiring and creative outdoor living designs currently made available for small houses, there really is an endless possibility to work with what you currently have!

On the plus side, smaller areas generally result in a super low maintenance home! We have worked with numerous projects with small areas and thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to share with you on this blog of tips on how you can maximize your small space.

Tip 1: What areas would I be using more?

We have found that with smaller areas, the majority of our client’s have chosen to focus on one outdoor living area.

Do you have a larger area in the backyard or front yard? Is your house a front loader or a rear loader? Is it of a higher preference to focus on one living area more than the other? Will you be spending a lot of time outdoors?
These are the questions that you need to firstly ask yourself.

Tip 2: Define how you will use your space!

This is the fun part. Start visualizing what you want to do in your outdoor living area. Do you want to be able to have a small and cosy place to entertain outdoors? Or do you want an area focused on solely relaxation?
Also, who will be using the area? How many people are in your house hold? Addressing these preferences will be able to help you define how you want to use your space to its maximum capacity.

Tip 3: Make it personal.

Remember, your outdoor living area is the one place you can access anytime to enjoy a waft of fresh air, blue skies and starry nights. It is just as important as the living area inside! This can also be an area to express your taste and personality.

We do also recommend when choosing your landscaping, structures, plants and designs, keep the architectural style of your home in mind so that your outdoor area represents the spirit of its style.
Now, let’s walk through one of our projects!

We recently had the pleasure to work with a small space, which end result was just gorgeous! This project really made us proud in being able to deliver an outdoor living area that is achievable regardless of size.

Our client’s preference was to create an area that was low maintenance, looks super chic and is ultimately comfortable. This type of project is suitable for first home owners not wanting to spend too much on their first investment and for downsizers looking for a neat and cosy living space.

As this was for the front yard and is the first impression for neighbors and visitors, we wanted to immediately bring out our client’s taste and style preference to surface. We created a living area that had great visual ambience, with also incorporating a touch of peace and harmony to the space.

Decking: Jarrah Timber

We wanted to add warmth and contrast to the yard with the use of Jarrah. Our clients loved the idea of being able to walk onto the outdoor entertaining area and seeing a new timber deck amongst their green landscaping.

Screening: Vertical Boxed Section

As our clients wanted a combination of screens that did not fully enclose their outdoor living area in an already limited space, we recommended to use vertical screens to help maximise airflow, restrict rain splashes whilst also allowing a little sunshine in. This allows for the use of their outdoor area throughout all seasons.

Finishing Touches: Vertical Front Fence & Automated Gate

We wanted to match the vertical boxed section with a complementing vertical fence and automated gate. Vertical patterns in outdoor living spaces help to create rhythm as well as, elongating an area of choice. This is also perfect for small areas wanting to create a stand out feature.

Project Details:

• Jarrah Decking.
• Featured vertical boxed section screen 75 x 75 aluminum powder coated in goal grey.
• Vertical 50 x 25 front fence and automated access gate.

For more info, get in touch here:
1300 112 558
info@sustainpatiosandoutdoors.com.au

Don’t let winter keep you indoors! Embrace this beautiful season with our top things to do in your very own backyard, these activities are great for both adults and kids.

Although, here in Perth we get more sunshine then rain – the last couple of weeks have seen us through a very cold and wet winter. This has probably left the majority of us feeling sluggish, a little lazy and even bored. Don’t let winter blues keep you from enjoying your outdoor living area! Winter fun awaits you through the activities listed from this blog.

Looking for things to do this winter? Keep reading!

SET UP CAMP

Miss enjoying the outdoors but not really wanting to go on camping trips that require travelling? Why not set up camp in your very own backyard! We all know how annoying it is to go on long haul road trips in winter. So why not, set up camp in your very own backyard?! That way even if the weather gets bad you can quickly head back indoors.

Put those camping gear to use and set up camp on the deck for extra coverage or even out in the open to observe the winter night sky.

Plus if you’ve never tried camping in the winter, camping in your backyard could be the perfect way to test it out. To be super adventurous you can even pack for it as you would for a normal camping trip. And if it gets too cold or you don’t like it, home is literally a couple of steps away!

HOST A WINTER FEAST

How does warm soup, hot chocolate, melted cheese and delicious food sound? How about being able to enjoy all of this with family and friends in your own backyard? Laughing until your tummy hurts or even being able to have deep and meaningfuls with the ambient sounds of nature as your background music?

We are so confined to the indoors in winter that we often forget how soothing the sound of rain drops and the fresh crisp winter air can do for our souls. And what better way to invigorate your love of nature then being able to enjoy it with your loved ones?

What’s a more awesome way to bring people together in winter that FOOD of course, to combat those lonely rainy days, and why not cook up a winter feast?

Our top 3 recommendations:

– A soup kitchen night (a feast of your favourtie soups served with warm bread and butter)

– A hot chocolate tasting night (where guests can make their own signature hot chocolates, have you tried chilli or peppermint in your hot chocolate?)

– Melted cheese and wine catchups (melted cheese is everything!)

WINTER ART PROJECTS WITH THE KIDS

Looking for other things to do with your children other than jumping in puddles? Don’t get us wrong, jumping into puddles is super fun but there is a limit to how many puddles to jump into and the amount of time this will keep them occupied.

We totally recommend getting crafty and creative with winter art projects!

You can bring them outdoors to enjoy what different seasons have to offer, ask them to paint the sky, draw the changing leaves and take pictures of the winter weather. Keep this in a scrapbook and get them to do the same during the other seasons, the comparison itself would be interesting and educational!

Plus it will get them occupied without them being constantly glued to their digital games and the tv! What a great way to disconnect to reconnect.

CREATE A WINTER SCAVENGER HUNT

One of the most engaging and fun things to get outdoors in winter is to create a scavenger hunt! Involve your kids in nature by getting them to find and look for winter related things.

Get your neighbours, family and friends involved and make it a fun competition! There are heaps of ideas and printable instructions and lists of objects and things on pinterest made already available.

There is even a level of skill you can incorporate, from finding objects listed on a list to solving riddles and puzzles. The creativity and option is really endless!

Some of our top lists:

– To Find
– To Listen For
– To Look For
– To Smell
– To Feel
– To Taste
– To Do

SPA TIME: REJUVENATE & RELAX

Did you know that changing up your routine in different weather conditions and seasons is needed for your skin and body?

The constant use of heaters in winter can really dry out your skin and leave you feeling a little sluggish.

Why not hop into your outdoor spa and get instantly refreshed. Add a bit of aroma oil and light some candles, you can even enjoy it with some champagne or some creamy hot cocoa. Now that’s winter bliss!

You can do this whilst reading a book, streaming your favourite show or even listening to an audio book, all in the comfort of your relaxing spa. Or opt for something more simple and relax amongst the sound of nature!

RECAP OF THINGS TO DO IN YOUR BACKYARD THIS WINTER:

 

We hope you enjoy this list as much as we did!

For all of your outdoor living needs, contact us here:

1300 112 558
info@sustainpatiosandoutdoors.com.au