With property prices booming, more Aussies are choosing to spend on home improvements rather than a pricey move. How are Australians changing their houses to focus on a connection to the land, doing less with more and creating spaces that nourish both the stomach as much as the soul?

A growing number of Aussies have gotten a taste for bargain hunting at second-hand shops and sites. A new report has valued the Australian market for such goods at $40 billion – $10 billion more than in 2015. And people are realising they can make a lot of cash selling on unwanted possessions.

With half of the UK population now passing through the doors of discount retailers and their sales showing double digit year-on-year growth, there’s certainly an appetite for discounted goods. But what’s behind this shift? And how is it affecting the UK’s retail landscape?

Japanese retail franchise Daiso – which offers thousands of products, from crockery to cosmetics, all priced at $2.80 – has edged into the Aussie market over recent years. It’s been benefiting from Australians' love of a good bargain – especially a cute, quirky Japanese one.