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How to plan a garden makeover
A garden makeover is a very rewarding project. Whether a simple refresh or a major rebuild, improving your garden means that you’ll be able to enjoy the results for years to come. The key to your makeover success is planning. Without a plan your goals may become overly ambitious and the results disappointing. Planning is…
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How to build a simple raised garden bed
Difficulty: Beginner Raised garden beds give you more convenient and comfortable access to your plants and more control over their growing conditions. Raised beds can also be attractive features in your garden, whether you want to grow vegetables, herbs, flowers or anything else. Building a raised garden bed can be…
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How to install a drip irrigation watering system
Difficulty: Beginner A drip irrigation watering system is a reliable way to make sure every plant in your garden is getting the right amount of water it needs to thrive. It also improves water efficiency by delivering water only to where it’s needed. This guide shows you how to set up this simple watering solution to help…
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How to build a low-level deck
A deck is one of the most cost-effective ways to expand your outdoor living space. A deck can be a real problem-solver too. It can bring sloping areas to level, lift your levels up above damp or difficult spots, or hide old structures such as concrete slabs. A decking project is one of the first major projects many…
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How to plan a kitchen renovation
The kitchen is the heart of a home where we spend a lot of time cooking and gathering with family. Renovating offers the opportunity to create a functional and beautiful space for cooking and entertaining. It can also add significant value to your home. So it’s important to plan well and get it right. Here’s our guide to…
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How to choose cement and concrete
Cement and concrete are the foundation of many D.I.Y. projects. There are many different kinds of cement products available, so it can be tricky to work out which one you need. Here’s how to choose the right ones so that you get a fantastic result every time. The difference between cement and concrete Cement and concrete…
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How to choose the right power saw for the job
Power saws are handy tools that can be used for many D.I.Y. tasks, including cutting timber skirting boards and slicing metal pipes. They are quicker and more efficient than hand saws. Here’s our guide to selecting the right power saw for your project so you get a great result every time. Let us know if you need a hand…
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How to build a raised garden bed
Difficulty: Expert Raised garden beds are extremely popular for growing vegetables and flowers. When designed and built well, they can look brilliant and become a real feature of your backyard. Here’s how to build a fantastic planter-box style raised bed that you can adjust in size and height to meet your needs. The design…
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How to create a pond in a pot
Difficulty: Beginner Creating a water feature in your outdoor space doesn’t have to involve major landscaping. You can have one up and running in just a few hours by creating a pond in a pot. It's perfect for those with a balcony or courtyard and you can use a pot of almost any shape or size. Sponsored Post Video Tutorial…
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How to install garden drainage
Difficulty: Beginner Often the best way to fix a muddy lawn is by installing underground (sub-surface) drainage. Here’s how to install a concealed drain to prevent water pooling and help keep your lawn lush and healthy. Sponsored Post Steps Step 1 Decide where to put your drain, and then dig your trench. The rule of thumb…
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How to plan a bathroom renovation
The way we think about our bathrooms has radically changed from the utilitarian spaces of years ago. They still need to be designed to be functional and easy to clean, but today we also often dream of creating a relaxing sanctuary, a spa-like retreat to pamper ourselves. How do you make your bathroom a space to enjoy and a…
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Pond with built-in seating
This raised water feature has built-in seating that creates a relaxing space to enjoy the garden. The project Finished my new water feature. There's something so soothing about the sound. I designed and built this pond with a height and top plate that allows people to sit and chill out. I used Whites Retain It for the…
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How to choose the right screw for the job
Screws are essential fasteners for many home improvement projects, and are quick and easy to use thanks to the power and convenience of modern drill drivers. The tough part can be choosing what screw to use for the job. Whether you’re a complete beginner or seasoned professional, when you go to select a screw you’re faced…
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How to stain and protect decking timber
Staining or oiling decking timber and regularly maintaining your deck will keep it looking fantastic for years to come. This guide shows you how to select and apply treatments to protect your deck and extend its lifespan. What is the difference between decking oil and stain? Stained deck by maknilsin Both decking oil and…
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How to choose a hedging plant
A hedge can turn a boxed-in yard into a private, green oasis, give you formal partitioning from the street, provide a windbreak or screen out unwanted views. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to consider when choosing a hedging plant. Hedge or screening plant? Hedges will provide total block-out (even if only 50cm…
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How to tile a laundry splashback
Difficulty: Intermediate A tiled splashback helps protect your laundry wall from water when using the sink. Tiling a splashback is a reasonably simple job requiring only basic tools and materials. If you have never tiled before, a splashback is a fantastic way to get some experience and build your confidence for larger…
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How to detect lawn problems
Keeping a lawn healthy and looking lush can be a challenge with ever-changing weather, weeds, foot traffic and pets. This guide shows you how to diagnose common problems to revive your lawn and prevent issues reoccurring. We also have step-by-step advice for how to repair your lawn. Know your lawn There are many types of…
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How to set up a cabled network
Although wireless is very convenient, a cabled connection will typically be faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. Here’s how to hardwire ethernet cable into areas where high-demand devices live so you make the most of your internet connection. We’ll also show you how to work with a licensed installer to bring these cables…
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How to repair a plasterboard wall
Difficulty: Beginner Repairing a hole in a plasterboard wall is a common and simple D.I.Y. project. We recently had to repair a hole as part of a European laundry renovation. Here’s how to repair a larger hole where wall framing is accessible. Sponsored Post Video Tutorial Steps Step 1 Tidy the hole Use your utility knife…
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How to assemble and install laundry cabinets
Difficulty: Intermediate Flat pack cabinets are a convenient and cost-effective way to upgrade your home. Our simple, step-by-step guide shows you how to assemble and install laundry cabinets in a European-style laundry. The same techniques can be used for cabinetry in your kitchen, bathroom or a full-sized laundry room.…
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How to install a laundry benchtop
Difficulty: Intermediate Transform your laundry with a custom benchtop, adding both style and functionality. This guide details the process of creating and installing a laundry benchtop, offering a cost-effective and straightforward way to upgrade your laundry. Our project was completed in a European laundry, but a similar…
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How to keep your home warm in winter
Winter has arrived in full swing, and so has the need to stay warm and toasty at home. While cranking up the heating is a quick solution, it’s not a sustainable one – especially with rising power prices and gas emissions. Fortunately, there are several other things you can do to keep the cold out and seal in the warmth.…
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How to hang just about anything
The secret to successfully hanging anything on a wall is knowing what’s beneath your paint, tiles or wallpaper. How your wall is constructed affects how you drill into the wall, what wall fasteners you should choose, and how much weight they can hold. This guide covers the various fastening systems and the drill bits…
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How to choose shade-tolerant vegetables
Full sun is not always needed to grow vegetables. Gardeners with partially-covered or compact spaces can still enjoy home-grown produce by choosing shade-tolerant vegetables. Here is a guide on how to select and grow shade-tolerant vegetables. Consider how much light is present Plants need light to photosynthesise and…
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How to renovate a European-style laundry
Difficulty: Expert A well-designed laundry can be an asset for your home and a pleasure to use. A laundry renovation might seem like a major project, but is simply a series of small, achievable projects such as installing cabinets, adding a benchtop and tiling a splashback. European (or Euro) laundries are typically…
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How to choose the right timber for the job
Choosing the right timber for your project is the key to success. It must be strong and durable enough for your needs and give you the kind of finish you want. There are a lot of names, codes and abbreviations used in labelling timber. Here’s our simple guide to the ones you’re most likely to see. Timber types The most…
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How to tile an outdoor area
Difficulty: Intermediate Tiling can be a great option for creating an attractive and low-maintenance entry or outdoor area. The slip-resistance ratings you are most likely to encounter in Australia are P-value and R-value. In both cases, the higher the number the greater the degree of slip resistance. Bear in mind that the…
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Planting a new native hedge with Murraya
Hedges provide beautiful features and privacy, but taking time to understand their environment gives your new plants a better chance of thriving for years to come. The project May 2018 update It'll be a work in progress as I add lower plantings, but for now I've planted a Murraya hedge about 30m long and 1m out from the…
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Ants on your plants...
As a horticulturist one of the most common questions I'm asked is... "My plant has little black ants running all over it. How do I get rid of them?" This is a classic case of asking the wrong question when looking for a solution. The questions should actually be... "Why are there little black ants running all over my…
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How to dethatch your lawn
Thatch is a natural part of your lawn, but if it gets too thick it can block air, water and nutrients getting to your lawn’s roots. It can also make your lawn excessively spongy and look unappealing. Thatch is the living and dead grass shoots, stems, and roots that accumulate between the green growth tips and the soil…
