WARM UP YOUR WALLS

There is something to be said for being warm. It certainly makes us happier to be warm and cosy in winter. New Zealand has it's fair share of poorly insulated homes. In fact, insulation only became mandatory in 1978 so, if your house was built before this, chances are you're living in a cold, draughty house.

Installing insulation in the walls will help keep the heat in and is an important step in insulating your house.

The September issue of HOW to takes you through the options when installing insulation in your walls.

KNOBS AND KNOCKERS

Your front door is the first barrier in keeping those unwanted intruders out of your house. And even though handles look simple enough, and indeed, every door needs one, installing them is trickier than it looks. And there is nothing worse than a door handle that doesn't latch properly, shut properly or the key doesn't turn easily.

The September issue of HOW to has a simple step-by-step guide on how to install your door handle and lock. What to look out for and the pitfalls of doing this incorrectly.

PREP THE DECK

With a polar blast sweeping up the country it's hard right now to imagine al fresco dining. But, believe it or not summer is just around the corner and getting out the BBQ and dining on the deck will be upon us sooner than we think.

So, how has your deck weathered this winter? There are a few things to think about when sprucing up your deck for summer.

The September issue takes you through how to spruce up your deck and get it ready for summer. Weather you have a teak, kwila or pine underfoot HOW to has the plan for you.

WINDOW MAKEOVER

Tired of looking at your sad old window coverings? Before you take throw away all of your coverings and start a fresh, wait. Blinds are a quick and easy way to freshen up any room.

So, how do you get started? The September issue of HOW to takes you through what you need to do to ensure a successful revamp. And arms you with the knowledge that you can take into your local Mitre 10 to ensure success on the first visit.

STYLE GUIDE

The saying goes - your house is your castle - and the style of your home reflects your personality. There is nothing worse to look at than a house that is a miss-match of different styles.

You want to put together a look and feel that welcomes you and family and friends the minute they pull up the drive. So, what are the hard and fast rules of styling?

The September issue of HOW to looks at some basic home style rules to ensure your house is the castle you want. 

STYLISH STORAGE

Sometimes it feels like your house never has enough storage. And, in fact, some older homes were built with very little or no storage so it can feel as though you are always moving things and stacking things up with little or no room to move.

A walk in wardrobe may be the one thing most women dream of, but, even without a walk in, proper storage in the wardrobe is a must to ensure things are easy to find, don't get crushed or wrinkled and those fabulous heels are treated with the respect, and space, they deserve.

The September issue of HOW to takes you through different wardrobe storage system and shows you the right one for your home.

SEPTEMBER CHECKLIST

Spring is just around the corner and is the rush-time in the garden. The list of spring jobs may seem to be never-ending, so get in now to make sure you get a jump-start in the garden.

The September checklist takes you through what you can do to ensure your vege garden, flower gardens and lawns are ready for that spring onslaught.

TERRIFIC TOMATOES

Tomatoes are a great plant in the vege garden, and they are available to plant from late September. However, be warned, if you don't have a greenhouse to protect these plants over the colder days, wait until October to plant. These plants need a consistent environment and don't take kindly to frosts.

The September issue of HOW To takes you step-by-step through how to prepare your garden for tomato planting and what you can do to ensure a great crop this year.