Save on outdoor furniture this EOFY: Saving money on outdoor furniture has never been this easy thanks to the Outdoor Living Direct EOFY massive clearance sale. Take advantage of our incredible discounts both in store and online, and grab yourself a bargain before the warmer weather rolls around. With selected items below cost and heavily discounted prices, we can guarantee you’ll be receiving unbelievable products at unbelievable prices.

With a wide range of products, and selected items below cost, we guarantee there will be something for everyone and every budget.

For the ultimate in sun protection you can’t go past our large, 3 metre Sabana market umbrella. Complete with a heavy duty, powder coated aluminium centre pole, a top quality weather resistant Olefin shade, a crank handle and a water base with wheels, the Sabana has been built to the highest of standards and is sure to look great in any outdoor space. A practical outdoor shade solution, which will provide excellent protection from the sun and the elements.]

The ideal companion for long lazy days by the pool, the Sarani beige hammock chair offers it all. Supremely comfortable due to its ergonomic design, the Sarani comes complete with a steel frame, padded tie on cushion, and umbrella which can be adjusted depending on how much sun exposure, if any, you desire. Relaxing this summer has never been more affordable.

If you have a more traditional style in mind, why not consider the Lucia modular lounge setting for your outdoor space. The attention to detail on the Lucia is second to none. With stylish curved arms and pin tuck cushions, the Lucia is not only visually appealing it’s also extremely comfortable and sure to provide you and your loved ones hours of enjoyment. The Lucia also offers versatility. The inclusion of the higher table allows for you to pull it in close to the lounge to enjoy drinks or a casual meal. Suitable for both lounging and dining the Lucia offers it all and more.

The Sadira day bed range is the ultimate in relaxation. A versatile piece, available in a variety of colours, the Sadira can be enjoyed either as a sofa or a day bed. The retractable ‘ottoman’ is easily adjustable by simply rolling the second half out from under the first, this feature is great for those wanting to save space when you’re not using it. The retractable canopy, is a nice design feature, which can be adjusted depending on how much shade, if any, you require. Guaranteed to make your summer days more relaxing – you can’t go past the Sadira for comfort and value.

So if you’re in need of some new outdoor furniture, why not take the time now, while the weather’s cooler and the prices are lower, to have a look and take advantage of our end of season discounts. Have your outdoor space ready for summer, with the help of Outdoor Living Direct and our huge EOFY clearance sale. Significant savings across the range, on top quality outdoor furniture.

Preparing your outdoor furniture for the cooler months: The days are getting shorter and the air’s getting colder. Winter is approaching, and now that we’re not spending as much time outdoors, this is the time to start thinking about storing and protecting your outdoor furniture from the chilly climate so it’s ready to go once the warmer weather rolls around.

Cleaning and preparing your outdoor furniture:

Even furniture that’s been weather and UV treated still needs to be cared for and maintained during the cooler months. Taking the time to consider this now, will ensure your outdoor furniture is in excellent condition when the warmer weather comes around.

Before storing your outdoor furniture it’s important to properly clean and prepare it. If this step is completed now, you won’t have to worry about it once the weather starts to warm up. Whether your furniture is rattan, aluminium, timber, metal or plastic, start by using a soft brush to remove any loose dirt, dust, leaves, twigs or spider webs. Remember to brush in all the little nooks to remove any loose dirt which may have been sitting there for a while. Avoid using chemical cleaners. Instead, wipe down your furniture using a damp cloth and mild soapy water, then rinse off using a bucket or hose. Make sure to remove the cushions first!

Mould is also another element to be wary of. A naturally occurring organism that has the ability to grow on any surface where there is constant moisture. If you notice mould growing on your outdoor furniture, invest in a mould remover and use accordingly. However we should note, unless the fabric is kept in a dry environment the mould will continue to grow back, regardless of the use of mould remover.

Cushion care:

In order to properly care for your cushions we recommend to read the care instructions attached to the cushion or speak to the cushion manufacturer in regards to their recommendations when it comes to cleaning. Some outdoor cushion fabrics shouldn’t be machine washed so it’s important to know what works and what doesn’t work for your particular type of fabric. If your cushion covers are removable clean them separately, by hand, using warm, soapy water. If your covers are machine washable, simply wash them on a gentle, warm cycle and hang to dry. Once dry we recommend to store your cushions in a clean, dry area such as a garage, basement or cupboard.

Cover up:

Once your furniture is clean and dry the best way to protect it during the cooler months is to simply cover it. Even if you’re storing your outdoor furniture in a confined, covered environment, we do recommend to invest in a cover for added protection from the elements. Custom made, fitted covers in acrylic or polyester waterproof material are readily available and easy to put on and take off.  If you are unable to justify the cost of custom-made covers and are not so concerned over the look of the covered furniture, tarpaulins with eyelets and ropes can be used.

Here at Outdoor Living Direct we can help you with your cover request. Don’t let your beautiful outdoor lounge or dining setting become a victim of the elements – call us today! Our custom furniture covers can be made to order for outdoor furniture, BBQs, and just about anything else you can think of. Email us at customerservice@outdoorlivingdirect.com.au to find out how we can tailor a cover for you. Hand made, by a local Melbourne supplier, from top-quality UV-resistant, waterproof fabric, our covers are a permanent solution when it comes to protecting your outdoor furniture. Our covers also come with a 2 year comprehensive warranty.

For any other information on the general cleaning and maintenance of your outdoor furniture feel free to call us on 1300 067 138, visit our care page on our website or email us at customerservice@outdoorlivingdirect.com.au

Making a grand entrance: The driveway is the entrance way to your home. Driveways can be decorative to match the exterior of a home or simpler in design depending on your style. Well built driveways act as a practical solution for people, including yourself, to enter your home. Therefore, it is vital to consider the design of your driveway so it not only looks good, but is functional as well. In many homes the driveway is the main access route to the entrance of the home. Considering the design, size and colour will definitely help to enhance the overall look and feel of your home and provide you with an area you’ll be proud of for many years to come.

If you are considering building a new driveway or upgrading your existing one, there are a few important design and layout decisions which should be taken into consideration. Firstly which material do you intend to use? There are many materials on the market that can be used for driveways. Some of these include concrete, asphalt, decorative brick, cobblestone, paving, gravel, granite etc. At the end of the day, there are many materials to choose from, but we recommend you base your decision around what you like and what will suit your home exterior. Another decision would be what size you would like your driveway? It’s at this point too you should consider other aspects of your front garden such as fences, garden beds, grass, pebbles, trees etc to see if any of these elements will interfere or affect the design of your driveway.

Selection of Materials of Walkways and pavements:

It is important to select materials that are complementary to the style and exterior of your home. For example if your home has a brick wall exterior you may decide to select a concrete driveway as these two materials work quite well together. It’s also important to consider the functionality and durability of the materials you choose. Driveways have a lot of foot and car traffic so choosing a material that will stand the test of time is a key factor. If you have an old, run down driveway, be careful of concrete or pavers that may have become loose or that may be poking up. These can become hazardous and should be fixed straight away.

Image source: http://www.wizcrete.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DSC010091.jpg

At night, your driveway should be easily accessible by use of the right amount of lighting and glow. Having lights running along a path, maybe to a front entrance, creates a welcoming, inviting feel to a home.  Flood lighting is also great for highlighting specific areas of your home or outdoor area. Enhance a particular area with a flood light for an instant, eye catching effect.  Outdoor lighting is also a great tool when it comes to home security.  Adequate lighting can discourage thieves and reduce accidents.

Determination of the width of the main walkway:

A driveway may start from the road or street and lead to a path which would then take you to the main door of the house. It may also start from the front yard and wind its way to the garage, or from the front lawn to the back lawn. In each case, it is important to consider the width of a driveway. If entertaining is something you do regularly, you may decide to build a wider driveway so that a greater number of people can walk on it at any one time.

Selection of the Walkway Shape:

The selection of the driveway shape may seem like an easy task, but in reality it depends on a number of factors. The yard size and dimensions are two of the most important factors that dictate the shape of a driveway.

Image source: http://www.angieslist.com/files/styles/no-dimensions/public/null/driveway_450.jpg?itok=xf2c0rip

Most people prefer to have a straight driveway from the street to the front door, but if you are looking for artistic beauty more than practicality then a curved driveway will add the desired effect. The second vital factor to consider is the main building style of your home. For a building that has a Colonial or Victorian design then a straight and formal driveway will best complement this style. Driveways which are straight are used to divert attention and add focus to the main door of the home. But if you have a casual ranch-styled or a Mediterranean inspired home then a curved and informal driveway will add the beauty and touch of class that it needs.