As people have flocked to live in cities, downsizing and ever-smaller homes have become the norm. It’s why the self-storage industry is booming – valued at $30 billion in the US. With a delivery service and digitised inventory, Clutter is making it easy to embrace minimalism in a domestic setting.

Aussies are known the world over as an easy-going bunch, kicking back with BBQs and a few beers on the beach. But they're also too laid back to know when they're sitting on big bucks; almost half of smartphone users aren't selling their old handsets, and they're worth more than you might think.

There are 165,000 yard sales each week in the US, attracting 690,000 bargain hunters. VarageSale has now brought these peer-to-peer marketplaces online, boasting the latest UX technology and local communities in 400 cities globally. Can it challenge the might of Craigslist and eBay?

For most people, chores are a necessity and rarely a pleasure; a third of Brits would rather pay to have someone else do them. But could a shift in our perception of these tasks, underpinned by thoughtfully designed products, make them more pleasant? Can beautiful brooms make sweeping fun?