Save Money On Furniture And Homewares

It is time to get organised. Clean up, clear out and start fresh this festive season.

The holidays have rolled around again and guests are spending the weekend. You don’t want to be embarrassed by your old worn out homewares, so it is the perfect time to change your décor. Get that outdated and shabby furniture off your property and spruce it up with something new or new to you.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

You know the old saying. This is absolutely true when it comes to furniture and homewares. Unlike 10 years ago, today there are so many options to find a bargain and you are crazy to not try. Consider the following before you go out and pay full price:

Christmas and Boxing Day sales

Stores and warehouses around Australia have fantastic Christmas and Boxing Day sales. Sometimes you may have to hunt a little to find them but they are definitely there. You can save up to 50% on some items, which is nothing to be laughed at for brand new pieces of furniture!

Gumtree or Ebay

These websites are full of fantastic bargains. On Gumtree you will even find free homewares, electricals and outdoor furniture. A lot of the time there is absolutely nothing wrong with the items; people just upgrade and want to pass them onto someone else. Keep your eyes peeled for these bargains because they don’t last long!

TIP: For even better deals, check after Christmas when people replace their furniture or are selling their unwanted gifts!

Buy, Swap & Sell sites on Facebook

Similar to Gumtree, you can find mountains of free and cheap household goods and furniture in your local area. Social media has opened up opportunities for sellers to get rid of their unwanted goods and buyers to score themselves a bargain. Sometimes all the furniture needs is a little TLC to bring it back to its former glory.

Get creative with DIY

Look around your local garage sales, businesses, the above mentioned avenues and even friends places for scraps that can be turned into fun items. Wooden pallets are fantastic for creating practical but unique outdoor lounges and garden beds. Create feature pieces by turning old doors and cable reels into tables. For the festive season, extra esky’s and ice buckets are required which is where old bath tubs make the perfect addition to an outdoor area.

For more ideas on how you can create your own home decor with a little DIY, CLICK THE LINK!

Style and comfort doesn’t have to be expensive. You can stay well within your budget by doing a little bit of research and bartering to get a better price.

Everyone wants something new but new isn’t always better. Sometimes older products are built to a higher standard and will last longer than many new pieces. Consider your needs, wants and budget before making your purchases.

How do you save money on your furniture, homewares and gardening items?

This is an S1 POST.

The post How To Save Money On Furniture And Homewares appeared first on All Mum Said.

4 Home Renovations To Make The Most Out Of This Summer

Summer is here already, and there is nothing that resonates with people more than getting to enjoy the longer days and warmer weather in the great outdoors. If you’ve been thinking about a renovation that will allow you to get the most out of the hotter months, then here are some suggestions to transform your home in preparation for summer.

1. The Ultimate Entertaining Area

To make the most of this summer, you need to make sure you spend as much time outdoors as possible. To do this, renovate your backyard to include the ultimate entertaining area. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time there, you’ll want it to include a high quality patio or deck. It’s a good idea to go online and check out patio and deck builder websites such as www.AdaptItGroup.com.au to see what’s available. Don’t stop there though – you can also include a beautiful outdoor dining set with plenty of seating, some hanging plants to add some colour, and a double cooktop barbeque with a bar fridge.

2. Gardener’s Paradise

A landscaping renovation is no easy feat as your garden paradise may look substantially different depending on the time of year. Summer is a great time to help your garden shine as flowers and other plants feed off the warmth and become acclimatised to their surroundings. You don’t have to go overboard with colour and variety; stick to a smaller number of species that you can alternate and repeat throughout the backyard. Also, make your garden something you can work on continually – have a section of your garden set up with vegetables, fruits and herbs.

3. Tropical Haven

The ideal summer renovation is a tropical escape. The first step is to install an in-ground swimming pool, big or small, that you can laze by and cool off in. Once this is done, use the pool as the focal point for the rest of the space. Include pebble pathways leading to the pool, or to different locations around the yard, and set up a hammock or day bed in amongst some shady foliage. Natural products are the key to this renovation, so try incorporating something like bamboo poles along the fence line that can have vines growing throughout. Also, keep garden accessories such as furniture made from natural products, such as a hardwood dining set.

4. Indoor/Outdoor Living

One of the major elements to install for an indoor/outdoor renovation are doors that allow you to open up the entire area. Floor to ceiling, glass bi-fold doors are your best option, as it will allow the entire wall that separates your home from the yard to be opened up. Once this is done, your only limit is your imagination. Put in a deck in if you don’t already have one, include a large outdoor kitchen so you can move mealtime outside, have an array of potted plants inside that tie-in with the greenery outside, and have your outdoor furniture tie-in with the theme of your indoor living space.

The ideal summer renovation is the one that resonates relaxation and warmth. By incorporating some of the great suggestions above, you will be enjoying the very best that summer has to offer before you know it.

What is a renovation you have always wanted to do to your home or backyard? Leave your answers below.

This is an S2 POST.

The post 4 Home Renovations To Make The Most Out Of This Summer appeared first on All Mum Said.

Like so many Australians, over the years we have accumulated a mountain of goods that we will ‘one day’ use or only needed for a specific period of time and have just not gotten rid of them. When it’s in the way or the space becomes full, you move it to another room to store until you have a chance to sell it. Which probably won’t happen in the near future. You then move into a larger home and accrue further items because the more space you have the more room you have to store it.

Did you know that the average person has 5 different storage places? 67% store goods in the garage, 63% in cupboards, 43% in the spare room and 21% under beds! There is no benefit to living like this and the occasional bulk clear-out can do wonders for both your home, sense of calm by living less cluttered and increasing your bank balance.

We have recently moved our daughter from a cot to a bed and for some reason we haven’t yet sold the baby furniture that is filling her room. She is 18 months old, we have 3 children and have no plans to have any more children. There is no purpose for us to keep this stuff. I know a lot of women like to hold onto baby items because it holds sentimental meaning or because they may want to have another baby at some point down the track but this is not the case for me. I don’t want to store things when I know I will not need them again.

My daughters’ cot, change table, heaps of clothes, baby toys, etc. will be sold. I plan to clean out and de-clutter everything we don’t use or will not use, one room at a time and sell it. It is a WIN-WIN for both me and the buyer. I get rid of some things, clear some space and make some money while doing it and they get themselves a bargain.

While I would not consider myself a hoarder, I definitely have stuff I do not need or would even miss if it disappeared tomorrow. You may have seen ads on TV about selling your unwanted home and garden goods on Gumtree, I have and they have always got me thinking about the treasures I have just packed away waiting for someone to love them. Now is the time to take those photos and join the other thousands of Australians selling their unwanted stuff.

This is an S1 POST.

The post Don’t Be A Hoarder, Turn That Junk into Cash! appeared first on All Mum Said.

Overgrown yard? Doors that just refuse to close properly? Stuff hanging around? If so, it’s time to undertake some home maintenance… but where to start? So many people put off home maintenance because they think it’s going to be too hard, too expensive or take too long.

But home maintenance needn’t be a difficult or arduous task. Interested in finding out more about some great starting points to begin your home maintenance project? Use these quick and easy home maintenance tips as a guide and as a source of motivation.

Repair Those Broken Doors and Windows

Former New York Mayor Rudi Guliani had a policy of ‘no broken windows.’ His theory stated that broken windows made citizens not have pride in their city and not care about the appearance of it. Broken windows in New York had to be replaced as a priority, with Guliani seeing a huge turn around in the city’s crime rate. Why not apply this theory to your home? Chat to a door, window and sliding glass door repair expert, such as AJ Doors Brisbane, to get an idea of how some quick repairs can improve the look and security of your home today.

Check and Replace Any Broken Gutters

Your gutters can be a force for good… or a force for evil. They can clog up, rot or rust, be a fire hazard and rip part of your roof off if not maintained in an appropriate manner. One of the easiest home maintenance ideas is to check, clean and replace any broken gutters on a regular basis.

Get the Carpets Cleaned

Carpets: everyone walks on them. You, your family, guests, and your pets. Sometimes regular vacuuming just doesn’t cut it. It’s worth having your carpets professionally cleaned on a regular basis. It not only makes your carpets more hygienic; they’ll also look, feel, and smell a whole lot nicer.

Take a Trip to the Dump

That pile of stuff in the garage? The tree clippings in the yard? Rip it like a band-aid by hiring a truck or a trailer and sending it to the tip. You’ll be amazed at how clean your house will feel after you’ve given it a good clean out and gotten rid of that old junk you’ve been meaning to dispose of for ages. You’ll also have one less thing for your partner to nag you about!

Give Your Garden a Good Going-Over

Your garden is often the first thing people see when they visit. What impression does it give? That you don’t care about your house, or you want to create a warm, inviting home for guests? Give the lawn a good cut, do the edges, prune any overgrown plans and lay a fresh layer of mulch in the garden beds for an easy, yet effective, makeover.

Are you a home maintenance professional? Do you fear your backyard? Have you found these tips helpful? Maybe you have your own tips you’d like to share on how you approach home maintenance.

Share your ideas in the comments below.

This is an S2 POST.

The post Quick and Easy Home Maintenance Tips appeared first on All Mum Said.

When people think about backyard upgrades, they often think of expensive ‘backyard blitz’ type projects. For many, the task just seems too big! Upgrading your backyard needn’t be expensive or arduous. It could be as simple as new turf, a splash of colour or a new backyard feature. You needn’t call the bank, an earthmover and a landscape architect to give your backyard an upgrade. It can be easy.

Simple Backyard Upgrades

Check out these five simple tips for upgrading your backyard:

Turf

Check out your lawn. Does it never look quite right? Can’t seem to get rid of those weeds? It might be high time that you consider re-turfing your backyard. So many backyards are a mish-mash of grass varieties (and a generous mix of weeds!) that really drag down the appearance and functionality of a yard. It’s always worth chatting to a turf expert such as Hanceys Turf to see how much of a difference laying new turf could make to your backyard area.

Re-mulch

Mulch does a world of good for your gardens. It keeps in moisture, helps prevent weed growth and protects a newly established garden. Think about gardens you see in magazines or display homes – they are all mulched. A fresh layer of mulch on an existing or established garden can improve your garden instantly.

Fresh Colour

Is your potted colour more pot than colour? Your decorative bushes turned an eyesore? Perhaps it’s high time you invest in some fresh colour for your garden. Think about the existing colours of your yard – what will suit in with your existing scheme? Is there a new colour or theme you want to experiment with? In-season flowers or annuals can really upgrade a tired looking yard.

A Backyard Feature

You’ve probably got an interesting feature for inside your house – a nice painting, an eye-catching vase or an exotic piece of art. Why not have an interesting feature for outdoors? It needn’t be expensive or garish – something like a bird-bath, simple water feature or potted centre-piece can really upgrade an otherwise mediocre backyard

Something To Sit On

So you’ve invested in a great lawn, coloured up your garden and have something beautiful to look at. Now what? Something to sit on! When you’ve got a beautiful backyard, you want to be able to sit and enjoy it. Something to watch the kids or grandkids from. Somewhere to lounge on a lazy Sunday afternoon. A place to enjoy the warm sunshine and coffee in the morning. A comfy, functional outdoor chair is worth its weight in gold!

Upgrading your backyard can be easy and inexpensive. New turf, a fresh layer of mulch and colour, something to look at and something new to sit on can do wonders for your yard! Have you found these tips helpful?

Have you recently upgraded or improved your backyard? What worked, or didn’t work for you? Have you got any nuggets of gold you can share?

Drop your ideas and thoughts in the comments below.

This is an S2 POST.

The post 5 Simple Backyard Upgrades appeared first on All Mum Said.

The warm weather is rolling in, the skies are blue and the picture-perfect great outdoors look fit for a banquet. It’s time to put the winter blues well behind you, drag out the barbecue and get your friends together for an afternoon of festivities, fun, and fine food. The first and most obvious order of the day is your barbecue, which will need to be cleaned up and made ready for action.

If you don’t have one already, you’re going to have to look for a grill that suits your needs. Whether your priority is size, fuel or portability, barbecue specialists like Barbeques Galore can determine the perfect grill for you – perhaps something from the new Ziegler & Brown range? Now that you’ve got the cooking equipment and utensils sorted, here are a few other tips to help you host the perfect summer barbecue.

Tips for hosting the perfect Summer barbecue

Look to the forecast

As beautiful as summer normally is, it can also be a bit volatile when it comes to changing weather conditions. Depending on where you are, the day can start bright and sunny, only to end with a menacing and violent summer storm. Before picking a date, check out the long term forecasts for an idea of the weather patterns on your preferred day. Admittedly, the sunshine won’t be guaranteed but at least you’ll have an idea and won’t be completely taken by surprise when the thunderheads roll in.

Hone the guest list

Most of us have friends from many different backgrounds and interests. Some will know each other and get on well; some will know each other but won’t be as close as buddies; others will not be familiar with your friends but mix well with strangers; and others still will be comfortable only with people they know. Carefully organise your guest list so you only have people of similar tastes and backgrounds to better help your fellow barbecue enthusiasts meet and mix. The best part of this strategy is it gives you an excuse to hold more barbecues for all your friends!

Simple and light food

You are not going to want to laden your guests with heavy food so they fall about like sand bags after they’ve eaten. The ideal barbecue is in the early to mid-afternoon. You want people to have a few drinks, eat and then socialise or even take part in a few sporting activities. Keep the food light and healthy, with chicken dishes and lean cuts of meat. Also have plenty of summer salads on hand.

Think beyond the food

If the plan is to feed your friends and send them on their way, the food is most likely the pinnacle of your barbecue. But if your intention is to host a wonderful afternoon that keeps your friends together for some fun and frivolity, you’re going to have to look beyond the food. What entertainment you provide will, of course, depend on the personalities of those who attend, but you might consider backyard games such as cricket or touch football. If you have a pool, use it for the afternoon’s activities.

The host of the perfect summer barbecue must be a Jack of all trades – part weather forecaster, part chef and part cruise director. It’s about making sure your guests are well fed and have a good time – this will ensure that everyone will want to return next time you send out invitations.

What other tips would you recommend for hosting the perfect Summer barbecue?

This is an S2 POST.

The post Tips for hosting the perfect Summer barbecue appeared first on All Mum Said.

While it’s important to prepare your home for storm season when wild winds and heavy rain can cause havoc, regular maintenance will ensure your home is well prepared for bad weather conditions in and out of storm season. A few simple precautions will go a long way to minimising damage to your home during severe weather.

Clean Gutters

Gutters need to be regularly cleaned and cleared of all leaf litter. This will prevent them from overflowing during heavy downpours. Blocked gutters can block the flow of water and lead to flooding in your home. You will need to ensure you use safe practices when completing this task including using a safe ladder. Alternatively, you can use the services of a professional. Gutter protection can also be installed to help minimise the build-up of leaf litter and prevent the need for potentially dangerous gutter cleaning. Companies like Roof Masters offer an excellent gutter protection product which is guaranteed for ten years, providing a long-term solution for gutter maintenance.

Image credit

Trim Tree Branches

Tree branches should be regularly assessed and trimmed where necessary. Flying branches are one of the biggest culprits for house damage during storms. Make sure tree branches are kept well clear of your home and also power lines.

Ensure Roof is Well Secured

Most homeowners are unaware of the condition of their roof and the bracing that holds it in place. Getting your roof inspected and repaired if necessary can prevent expensive damage from flooding and high winds.

Clear the Yard

You should clear your yard of loose objects which can become projectiles during high winds. If you don’t have adequate indoor storage to house all items, you should tie them down securely.

Have a Plan

You need to create an emergency plan for you and your family to adhere to in the event of severe weather. It is too late to create a plan once the storm has hit, you should establish the safest area in the house in the event of high winds and prepare this space so you can sit the storm out if necessary. It is also important to plan evacuation routes. And don’t forget to make plans for the safety of your pets.

Image credit

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Once you have taken the necessary steps to protect your home from storm damage, the next thing to do is create a home emergency kit. This should contain the essential things you would need to survive for at least three days in case you are cut off by flooding or in the event electricity and other services are disrupted. Your kit should contain adequate non-perishable food and water, a battery operated radio, a torch, spare batteries, a first aid kit, medications and any important documents like insurance papers. If you live in a flood prone area you should also consider a camping stove, bedding, toiletries and clothing.

Being well prepared is the best way to minimise the impact of storm season. Be diligent and don’t put off your storm preparations. As the old adage says: it is better to be safe than sorry.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored guest post.

The post Preparing Your Home for Storm Season appeared first on All Mum Said.