How to Home Tips

Creating a fantastic outdoor entertaining area

An outdoor entertaining area is a fantastic addition to any home and one that can be used all year round. When it comes to creating your own outdoor area, you are limited only by your imagination. The most important is how you are going to join the new outdoor area with the style of your existing home. The last thing that you want is to have an area that looks “tacked on.” Make a list or draw a simple picture combining all of the things that you wish to include in your outdoor area, such as flooring, plant life, furniture, lighting, and so forth. Think about what you can do yourself and what may need to be completed by a tradesperson.

There are endless options available for your outdoor flooring – you could opt for a stylish deck, paving, natural stone, concrete, brick, or even tile. When choosing your flooring, look to the style of your home, so that you are able to choose something complementary.

Lighting is an important consideration when creating your outdoor entertaining area, as it is likely that a good percentage of your entertaining will be done during the night time hours. The most cost effective lighting option is to use candles or garden torches. A scattering of these will provide light but also give the garden a fantastic ambience. You could also use up lights or down lights to highlight features in your garden.

The most popular materials for outdoor furniture are timber, metal, glass and plastic. At a minimum, you will need a dining table, enough chairs to seat all your guests, and some smaller folding tables that you can use to place food or drinks upon. Other outdoor furniture options include daybeds, chaise lounges, hammocks, and comfortable couches in durable fabrics. If you are planning on using your outdoor entertaining area for cooking, it is worth taking the time to research and buy a decent barbecue, or for a bit of Mediterranean luxury, a wood fired pizza oven.

Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. Sitting outside in your own outdoor entertainment area is not only relaxing, but also a great way to meet new people by inviting them into your home. Now it’s time to just sit back, relax and

Tamawood Property Featured Home

Dixon Homes are currently building ready to occupy homes for Tamawood Properties. For Location, design and prices of the homes visit www.tamawoodproperties.com.au

Tamawood Properties are renowned for offering great value for money properties. Investors and owner occupiers should check these out. Currently the following properties are : under construction / nearing completion / still to commence construction:

• 10 Properties Riverview prices ranging from $355k – $415k (8 under construction / 2 still to commence)
• 4 Properties Adare (Gatton) prices ranging from $470k – $485k (completed)
• 45 Properties Collingwood Park prices ranging from $329k – $479k (1 completed / 22 under construction / 22 still to commence)
• 4 Properties Cannon Hill prices ranging from $818,900k – $828,900) (completed)
• 1 Property Kooralbyn price $375k (completed)
• 1 Property Redbank Plains price $421,900 (completed)
• 1 Property Beaudesert price $449k (under construction)
• 1 Property Minden price $375k (under construction)
• 12 Properties Blackstone prices to be confirmed (still to commence)
• 52 Properties Yamanto prices ranging from $425k – $599,900 (46 under construction / 8 still to commence)
• 3 Properties Morningside prices to be confirmed (still to commence)
• 2 Properties Tivoli prices to be confirmed (still to commence)

This issue’s featured home is 174 Barrack Road, Cannon Hill.

Historic Cannon Hill boasts a multitude of local shops and cafes, and is close to Carindale shopping centre and Minnippi Parklands, a popular area for canoeing, bushwalking and BBQs. All of this and only 10km from the city.

Set on 405 square metres of land, this 5 bedroom home is perfect for those with a large family or wanting plenty of space. Fittings include modern stainless steel appliances, solid surface kitchen bench, air conditioning, security system, eco-friendly solar panels and hot water Priced at $825,900, this spacious home will be sure to impress family and friends.

What’s new at Dixon Homes?

Our Office Floods

We would like to thank all of our staff, suppliers, sub-contractors and volunteers for assisting us to rebuild our offices at Rocklea after the recent flooding. As you can see we had over two metres of water through our building. Thank you also to all our customers for your patience during these trying times. We are happy to say we have completed the refit of our offices and we look forward to your next visit. Our new Selections centre looks amazing please come in and see for yourself!

Our People- Andrew Love, National Tiles

Ten Tips for Choosing a House Plan

Choosing the right house plan that compliments your personality and is fully functional is important not only for optimal living, but for selling the home. Additionally, using professionals, like Brisbane Builders, allows you to create a unique house design that is within your budget.

Budget

Determine how much money you plan to spend on building your new home. Creating house plans includes picking the type of flooring, walls, windows and walls. Each material used, such as laminate or tile for flooring, has a different price.

Lifestyle

Consider how you use your home. For instance, entertaining guests on a regular basis may require a more contemporary house plan; whereas, having children and a family may require a more modern style home.

Energy Efficiency

Today, having a home that is energy efficient makes sense. Designing a home with two-by-six exterior walls allows for more insulation. Home designs with lower ceilings allows for the heating and cooling unit to work more efficiently. Additionally, consider how the home sets on the property and allow the sun to act as natural heating.

Furniture

The size and type of furniture you have is important when designing a home. Larger furniture requires a more open space, but smaller furniture allows you to create a closed room with more walls.

Master Bedroom

Since the master bedroom suite is a place of refuge for many and a major factor when reselling a home, designing this area for convenience and functionality is important. Make sure it has enough floor space for large furniture and has ample closet space.

Window Placement

Rooms with too many or not enough windows can negatively affect your home. Having too many windows make cleaning them excruciating and not having enough makes rooms seem smaller than they really are. Therefore, consider the room size and determine the number of windows needed accordingly.

Storage

You can never have too much storage. Any space in your home plans that is vacant should be converted to storage. For instance, space under the stairs serves as a great storage area. Also, adding storage, such as pantry, in the kitchen is always recommended.

Porches

Not only is the inside house design important, but the outside design draws attention to your home and adds character. Porches are a great way to show your personality and increase the value of the home.

Foundation

House plans should be based on the type of foundation you choose. A home with a basement requires plans that include access to the basement; whereas, a home built on a solid foundation does not.

Location

Consider the location when creating house plans. Do not build the largest home in the area. Instead, look at other homes and get an idea of what is considered the “norm.”