Jacinta Evans, Senior Interior Designer, Metricon.

The lounge room is often referred to as the heart of the family home – regularly having a duel life as a living and a work zone.

It can often be a challenge when designing a lounge room to find a cohesive balance between functionality and form, that works for a family now and into the future. When choosing a house plan it is always a great idea to look around various display homes, which can give you a sense of a space and provide you with some great ideas.

Growing your own edible garden isn't hard – it just requires a little time, patience, good advice and common sense.

Here are our top tips for getting started…

What to plant?

The very first thing is to decide what you want to grow. This can be as simple as thinking about what herbs and vegetables you like to eat and use often. Plus, it’s also a good idea to research which varieties grow best in your area.

As the days get shorter and colder and we embrace the idea of being warm and cocooned inside, here are some essential winter decorating and organising tips for your home that might inspire.

Layer it up!

Just like laying up our clothes during winter, we can also do the same with our homes. Adding an additional layer of soft furnishings during the winter months gives a space a sense of warmth and homeliness. Using a beautiful basket some additional cushions or throws to hold these when needed will remove the opportunity for clutter.

If you’re spending more time at home, growing your own herb garden is the perfect home project for you. Growing your own herbs is easy and cheap, plus there is nothing quite like the hit of fresh rosemary or basil on your home-roasted meat & vegies or favourite pasta dish.

Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Pick the right pots