Have an emergancy survival pack on standby

Removalists may not arrive at the property at the same time you do. In many circumstances they could be a day or so behind if you are moving interstate. This means you’re in a big empty house with nothing but excitement to keep you company. You’ll need a survival guide: That’s a blow-up mattress, a picnic set so you can eat and drink, and bare essential clothing and toiletries. And most importantly, a laptop and wine!

Suitable arrangements
Create a styled vignette on an otherwise empty sideboard or coffee table by grouping ceramics, glassware, geometric shapes or ornaments in threes or fives. Be sure each grouping of objects has similar or complementary colours and different heights and shapes for the most aesthetically pleasing result.

Photo by Park and Oak Design – Look for contemporary living room inspiration

Make an entrance
The first thing a person sees when they visit your home is the front door. Make a bold statement by attaching a wonderful door knocker to your front entrance. From lion’s heads and mermaids to gothic shapes and shackles, there are myriad options to choose from.

Photo by CM Glover – Look for entryway pictures

Play with scale

Play with scale
Play with scale in your home by contrasting low-line furniture with tall indoor plants or lamps, as seen in both of these rooms, or using a rug to make a small space feel larger. Really looking at the scale of your furniture (is it all the same height? Are there any standout pieces?) is a great way to add drama or interest to a room. Another way of doing this is using a statement artwork to draw the eye to the centre of a room. Try Artfinder for affordable original artworks that can be shipped direct to your door.

Luxe for less

Lay it out
Feeling a little bored with your current furniture or room layout? Try evaluating what space you have available and rearranging the furniture; consider how different pieces may fit together in different ways, and don’t be restricted by what furniture happens to be in the room. You may find that a cute stool that has been hiding in a bedroom makes a character-filled side table and conversation starter in the living room. Try arranging your furniture around the flow of natural light, or around indoor/outdoor flow, to create a harmonious space. Even better, centre your living room furniture in such a way that encourages conversation.

Surface art
Drinks carts, sideboards, shelving and coffee tables are all wonderful opportunities to make a space feel styled. Arrange your drinks cart with pretty bottles and glassware that are complementary, perhaps with a few fun cocktail accessories thrown in to complete the picture.

Where are the risky areas of the market?

This oversupply is most prevalent in Queensland, which has a dwelling surplus of close to 60,000 – most of which is most likely made up of apartments located in Brisbane centre. Victoria is also oversupplied, according to the research paper, with a dwelling surplus of over 40,000. Similar to Brisbane, many of these oversupplied dwellings are apartments near to Melbourne’s centre. One of the best ways to spot risky markets, and property that’s unlikely to appreciate in value, is to identify areas where dwelling oversupply is most prevalent. A recent research paper published by the Australian National University found that as of June 2017 the surplus of dwellings in Australia could be as much as 164,000.

The research paper also identified Western Australia as an area with a surplus of properties. Much of this surplus was created in part by the mining boom, in towns where the population swelled then quickly fell when the boom period came to and end.

On the other hand areas on the outer fringes of large capital cities, such as Melbourne and Sydney, were identified as having dwelling shortages. This may indicate that property in these locations will increase in value over the long term.

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Look luxe without the huge price tag

Whether you’re looking to update your home according to the season, or want the space to feel a little more polished, there are a few simple changes you can make to your interior to achieve a luxe look without a big outlay.

Elevating your interior style isn’t about spending a lot of money on decor or buying large pieces of furniture. It’s about thoughtfully editing your personal collection of treasures and memories into a curated display that speaks to who you are, your personality and your style.

Bathroom review
One of the hardest (and most expensive) rooms to update can be the bathroom. However, sprucing up this space needn’t be costly. Take note of what vanity top, windowsill and shelving space you might have spare in the room, and think about what items you own that might fit into the space and make it feel a little more ‘done’ and more your style. This can be anything from a few fab plants to a carefully considered selection of candles, ornaments and shells that the kids may have collected from the beach.

By Laura Barry in association with 

5 hot tips for renting with pets

1.    Have a pet reference

If you have a good relationship with your neighbor and they love your pet, ask them to provide a reference vouching for your pet’s behavior. Having this reference is always a good start, especially if you live in a unit block.

2.    Create a personal pet profile

If you can provide a reference that has important details in your application, you’ll be ahead of the game. The reference can include:

•         Your pet’s name
•         A photo
•         Their age
•         If your pet is micro-chipped
•         Whether your pet is desexed
•         What training school your pet attended – if applicable

3.    Rental History

Obtaining a reference from your previous landlord or real estate agent is a great advantage. If your previous landlord or real estate agent can say your pet was a good tenant and didn’t damage the property, you’ll have a better chance of getting the property you’re applying for.

4.    The right space

When looking at properties, it’s best to think “is this the right space for me and my pet?”

Being in a new environment can sometimes be difficult for pets to adjust to, but having a space that doesn’t fit both you and your pet can make the adjustment period that much harder. 

Make sure when looking at properties the space is the appropriate size for your pet – having a Great Dane in a one-bedroom apartment may not be the most comfortable experience!

5.    Security is key

Having a lost pet is never a fun situation. It’s important to ensure the property is always secure when moving in with a pet.