Latest news with #WoodburyFurniture
Daily Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
The simple feature that adds nearly $400k to your apartment
A simple balcony in an Australian apartment can cost you up to $390,000 extra in the search for your new home. New research by outdoor furniture brand Woodbury Furniture has found nearly a quarter of apartments in major Aussie cities did not have a balcony, and buyers can feel the difference when it comes to cost. Depending on what city you live in, balconies can drastically increase the price of an apartment on the market, with Brisbane taking the lead at a 46.4 per cent increase. Woodbury Furniture interior design expert Chris Catinaro said this difference was thanks to outdoor space becoming increasingly coveted in real estate, with big population centres in the country becoming more crowded with hopeful homebuyers. 'In urban living, outdoor spaces like balconies and patios have evolved from optional extras to essential components of a well-designed home,' he said. 'They have a dual benefit, acting as both a lifestyle enhancement as well as adding value to the property, which is exactly why I think we're seeing such significant price premiums for homes with well-utilised outdoor areas.' The data was collected from apartment sales in five major Australian cities on These sales were measured over the course of 12 months, up until April of 2025. On average, the typical mark-up a balcony would bring to a home totalled at $173,205.80. At mark-ups of $393,937, Brisbane was the city willing to pay the most for a balcony in their apartment, marking a 46.4 per cent rise. Woodbury Furniture's commentary said this was due to the area's subtropical climate and culture for outdoor living, where balconies were considered an essential feature to connect high-rise buildings to the outside. Meanwhile, Sydney's rising population and growing density were why the company felt balcony prices were growing there, with a hike of $363,198 (or 19.19 per cent). Adelaide came shortly after on the list with a rise of 16.04 per cent for balcony apartments, totalling an increase of $95,320 from standard prices. This was attributed to SA's outdoor entertaining culture during dry summers, with a smaller price jump thanks to lower property prices and a less crowded city. But the populated city of Melbourne's mark-up for balconies was more modest at $46,777, making a 7.5 per cent increase. While balconies offer more views for residents, analysis suggested colder winters and more public parks meant Melbourne residents treated the feature as less high-value. Finally, Perth represented an outlier, where balconies seemed to decrease property value by $33,203 (-4.85 per cent). This may have been due to a lower demand for balconies in favour of full outdoor yards in larger homes, due to Perth's abundance of land space. Mr Catinaro said if apartment homeowners have a balcony, there are a few things they can do to make the most of it, such as greenery and weather-resistant materials. 'Incorporating plants into your balcony design adds more than just visual appeal,' he said. 'They can act as natural privacy screens, help cool the space, and create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.' 'Opt for durable materials like teak that can stand up to rain, sun, and changing seasons without losing their charm. With the right pieces, you won't need to drag everything inside when the weather turns, they'll keep looking good and feeling comfortable no matter the forecast.'
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
The simple feature that adds nearly $400k to your apartment
A simple balcony in an Australian apartment can cost you up to $390,000 extra in the search for your new home. New research by outdoor furniture brand Woodbury Furniture has found nearly a quarter of apartments in major Aussie cities did not have a balcony, and buyers can feel the difference when it comes to cost. Depending on what city you live in, balconies can drastically increase the price of an apartment on the market, with Brisbane taking the lead at a 46.4 per cent increase. Woodbury Furniture interior design expert Chris Catinaro said this difference was thanks to outdoor space becoming increasingly coveted in real estate, with big population centres in the country becoming more crowded with hopeful homebuyers. 'In urban living, outdoor spaces like balconies and patios have evolved from optional extras to essential components of a well-designed home,' he said. 'They have a dual benefit, acting as both a lifestyle enhancement as well as adding value to the property, which is exactly why I think we're seeing such significant price premiums for homes with well-utilised outdoor areas.' The data was collected from apartment sales in five major Australian cities on These sales were measured over the course of 12 months, up until April of 2025. On average, the typical mark-up a balcony would bring to a home totalled at $173,205.80. At mark-ups of $393,937, Brisbane was the city willing to pay the most for a balcony in their apartment, marking a 46.4 per cent rise. Woodbury Furniture's commentary said this was due to the area's subtropical climate and culture for outdoor living, where balconies were considered an essential feature to connect high-rise buildings to the outside. Meanwhile, Sydney's rising population and growing density were why the company felt balcony prices were growing there, with a hike of $363,198 (or 19.19 per cent). Adelaide came shortly after on the list with a rise of 16.04 per cent for balcony apartments, totalling an increase of $95,320 from standard prices. This was attributed to SA's outdoor entertaining culture during dry summers, with a smaller price jump thanks to lower property prices and a less crowded city. But the populated city of Melbourne's mark-up for balconies was more modest at $46,777, making a 7.5 per cent increase. While balconies offer more views for residents, analysis suggested colder winters and more public parks meant Melbourne residents treated the feature as less high-value. Finally, Perth represented an outlier, where balconies seemed to decrease property value by $33,203 (-4.85 per cent). This may have been due to a lower demand for balconies in favour of full outdoor yards in larger homes, due to Perth's abundance of land space. Mr Catinaro said if apartment homeowners have a balcony, there are a few things they can do to make the most of it, such as greenery and weather-resistant materials. 'Incorporating plants into your balcony design adds more than just visual appeal,' he said. 'They can act as natural privacy screens, help cool the space, and create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.' 'Opt for durable materials like teak that can stand up to rain, sun, and changing seasons without losing their charm. With the right pieces, you won't need to drag everything inside when the weather turns, they'll keep looking good and feeling comfortable no matter the forecast.'
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
Cheap £2 buy will instantly transform your garden furniture in time for summer – it instantly lifts mildew stains
IF the harsh winter weather left your garden furniture looking a little worse for wear, don't worry. This budget-friendly hack helps to transform your outdoor set in an instant. While your flower beds and lawns may need a little TLC as your prepare for summer, so does your garden furniture. If you're dusting it ahead of a summer of lounging and soaking up the sun, use this simple trick to get your set looking as good as new. While it is a popular choice in gardens, wooden furniture is the most susceptible to damage. It is recommended to store these furniture sets in a dry place or under a plastic tarp. However, if you forgot to cover or store your garden furnishings correctly, don't fret. A budget buy can instantly lift any mould or mildew which may have formed. The Bartoline Concentrated Sugar Soap, available for £2 from Poundland, is said to transform your garden furniture. This handy hack was shared with the Daily Express by Woodbury Furniture pro Chris Catarino. "When it comes to surface grime or even mould buildup, sugar soap and a basic kitchen sponge are more than enough to get the job done," he explained. He suggested using a non-abrasive sponge with the cleaner to avoid damaging furniture. The exact date Aldi's sell out wooden garden day bed returns to stores Begin by diluting the sugar soap according to the instructions on the label. This typically involves mixing a capful or two into a bucket of warm water and add it to a spray bottle for easier application. Spray the solution onto your furniture and wipe down all surfaces, paying attention to any built-up grime or mould. And for more stubborn patches of mould or dirt, let the sugar soap sit for two to three minutes before scrubbing. When scrubbing, it is recommended to use circular motions, and once clean, rinse the furniture thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue. Finally, wipe your furniture down with a dry cloth or let it air dry completely before covering, storing, or sitting. A £1 buy can also be used to transform your mouldy outdoor furniture. Alternatively, a kitchen ingredient can also be used to scrub up your garden set. Another budget buy is also said to leave your outdoor garden set gleaming in time for summer. Or you can opt to clean your garden furniture in seconds with a DIY hack. And an 80p hack helps to lift stubborn algae from your garden surfaces.
