Home, Garden and Outdoor Living

How this department is organized, and where to start

Home, Garden and Outdoor splits into five areas. Fire safety and first aid covers extinguishers and kits, home renovation and fixtures holds lighting, bathrooms, kitchens and hardware, household goods and furnishings cover rooms and furniture, garden and outdoor living covers patio and garden gear, and lawn and garden power equipment covers the powered tools for the yard. Start with the room or space you are working on, because fixed fittings, loose furniture and outdoor gear need different size and safety checks.

Measure, power and weatherproofing before you commit

Across the department the same few checks apply. Measure the space, the doorway and the route in, especially for sofas, desks and modular furniture sold in sections. Check the power source: supply voltage for fixed fittings, and for yard tools whether the battery or cord suits the area you cover. Outdoors, look for a weather or ingress rating and corrosion-resistant finishes. Finishes, wood tones and metals rarely match exactly between ranges, so keep to one family when you want a coordinated look.

Questions about Home, Garden and Outdoor Living

How do I measure for a sofa or standing desk?

Measure the room and the space where it will sit, then the doorway, hall and stairs it has to pass through. For modular sofas, check each section as well as the assembled length. For desks, note the width, depth and the height range, and leave space to push a chair back.

Corded, battery or gas for yard tools?

Corded tools give steady power for small yards near an outlet. Battery tools are quiet and portable, and a shared battery platform lets one pack run several tools. Gas suits large areas and heavy work but needs fuel, servicing and puts out more noise.

What does an IP rating mean on outdoor products?

IP stands for ingress protection. The first digit rates protection against dust and solid objects, the second against water. IP65 resists dust and jets of water, while IP44 only copes with splashes. For exposed outdoor use, look for a high second digit.