So many good suggestions and ideas, thank you everybody :) partim I actually had the lounge room exactly how you described to begin with, I know it's hard to visualize through just seeing the photos I've put up but it didn't work as the couch coffee table and tv unit were jammed in together leaving little walk through space and there was a lot of unusable wasted space in the corner where the tv is. I contemplated getting a corner lamp table at the time but what we really need is more sitting space than table space. I changed the room around to this and we liked it much better as the window wasn't obstructed as well. the walking space between couch and cone lamp hasn't been a problem. The absolute last thing after rugs etc will be to move the bigger bookcase that's next to wood heater to another room and put an armchair there :) that will require renovation of the other rooms first. our records are all in alphabetical order and I love them but wouldn't display them any more than I have already as it's not a huge focal point. decoenthusiaste I love the idea of putting the small bookcase on its side behind the couch and could do this if I put a finish on the top and the base! unfortunately it will no longer be able to hold the records if I do that as the shelves are an awkward shape. (Smaller shelf is better for holding records to keep them in separate categories and keep them standing up than the bigger shelf) redpoint, I know! I've always been a timber floor person. When we moved in I was set on putting wood floors down in future. Although these tiles lack character, since living with them I must say the practicality of them outweighs the aesthetics of wood. I can move furniture around without scratching the floor and know I'll never have to ever sand and re polish the floor from wear and tear and they feel cool to walk on in the hot, dry summer. I'm leaning towards getting a sandy coloured slate put down one day. That should add more character to the place :) and my future tribal rugs will work either way. The view is fine, it's just a neat suburban street. I feel too exposed for now with the curtains open and would like a privacy screen put up with a nice garden bed as a view when we get around to re paving and landscaping. It's a southern view so the winter sun now shines through our front windows, which gets a bit bright at times. The brown rug was given to us as a stop gap for absorbing sound and catching the walked in dirt. If I moved it in front of the couch the "brownness" of it would hurt my eyes while I'm trying to relax in my little living space hehe I would consider cutting up the wall hanging or doing something else with it yes, good idea :) Zag Built LLC, I like the idea of a round or oval coffee table! Thos. Baker, a new piece of art would be nice

Hello. All ideas practical and an appliance cupboard is a must if you had in your previous house as demonstrated by previous comments. Microwave and mixers all away. A sliding door to pantry easy solution. Even one with timber frame (raw or painted depending on your finishes) and opaque glass is great as well. Not compromising on island bench is good. It is best to have drawers on both sides. Depending on your seating or not you can also re configure drawer at end but also keeping in mind power points are a must with an island bench. If you are of average height wall ovens great but not always suitable for someone who is below average height. I have an island bench without a sink which works really well, drawers each side and 2 stools at one end for my needs. The rubbish/recycle bin is a pull out dedicated drawer which is also practical. Sink and stove at the back. Make sure you get a good cabinet maker as well and decide everything beforehand.

HI Sophie. Im a property stylists and the company you are asking about looks very professional from their website. Lovely furniture and the styling looks very professional. I do not know of them but simply giving them a call or email is a great start and ask some questions like the style they think suits best in your area. In regards to prices Melbourne is one of the cheapest states to have furnished with QLD and NSW coming in at the most expensive. As a really rough guide a 2 bed starts at $2400, 3 bed starts at $3000, 4 bed starts at $4000 and so on with each additional living area styled at $800 and out door is usually complimentary. Hopefully this helps you

A lot of garages get converted into living spaces without any significant drama's and meet all building codes and standards. If the existing concrete slab floor is lower than the existing floor it get's raised up by either a new slab over a plastic membrane or in some cases if it set's set low enough, bearers and joists on piers with a new floor to match the existing. Must allow space for termite inspection. Walls are infilled between engaged piers with (usually) 70mm timber frames. These have sarking and insulation just like a brick veneer wall. Plasterboard over the top again like a normal brick veneer wall. Special consideration to termite control but again no issue. There are no cheap fixes but I've read about the spray on type's of waterproof and suchlike. These are equally as expensive as anything else. Depends on your exact situation and what you're wanting to achieve.