The Lounge: Buying Guides for the Room You Actually Live In
Buying guides for the hardest working room in the house, from streaming sticks to robot vacuums.
113 guidesRefreshed 5 October 2026
Start here
The three that matter first
Updated Sep 2026
It anchors the room and the budget.
Updated Oct 2026
Day one in any new place starts with someone else's dust, and this guide covers the options for getting on top of it.
Updated Sep 2026
Nobody hands you a manual at settlement; this room-by-room plan covers what to buy in the first week, first month and first three months, and what can wait.
The first night in a new place is furniture free theatre: dinner on the floor, the TV balanced on a moving box, everyone's phone at four per cent. It gets fixed in stages, and the order matters more than the brands: floor care before art, seating before speakers, the pack of heavy duty moving boxes broken down and gone before anything feels like home.
These guides carry the load bearing lounge decisions: a robot vacuum if you'd rather never think about floors again, a cordless vacuum if you would, and a portable carpet cleaner for the day the couch meets red wine. The TV and projector guides live here too.
The screen wall
Everything pointed at the couch: screens, sound, streaming and the projectors, from the Magcubic mini to genuine 4K home cinema.
Panel HeatersWe compared six convection panel heaters on Amazon Australia by customer rating, wattage, room size and running cost. The cheapest De'Longhi is the value standout, a fan-assisted SlimStyle suits most lounges, and a smart Bonaire runs from your phone.
Oil Heaters
Record PlayersA beginner-and-lounge guide to the best record players on Amazon Australia, covering suitcase all-in-ones, belt-drive shelf systems and portable Bluetooth units, with the ceramic-cartridge caveat every new buyer should know, plus live AU prices, ratings and accessories.
Recliner ChairsA first home buyer's guide to the best recliner chairs on Amazon Australia in 2026, covering manual, electric and massage loungers and their real flaws.
Electric FireplacesSeven electric fireplaces listed on Amazon AU, covering two inserts, two freestanding log heaters and three stoves, with their listed heat settings and general room and installation guidance. Register and seller findings for each exact model are dated to the 3 October 2026 check.
Budget TV
Mantel ClocksNewgate's silent sweep M Mantel is our top pick for most Australian living rooms, the Presentime Napoleon is the value buy, and the Acctim Falkenburg is the cheapest clock here that still looks the part. We compared eight models on Amazon Australia by movement noise, size, materials and owner ratings.
Picture LightsWe compared nine rechargeable picture lights on Amazon Australia at the 5 October 2026 check. The Arixinks full-metal 13-inch bar is our pick for most walls, with a 4000mAh battery, three colour temperatures and stepless dimming. The COIRISI 3-pack is the cheapest way to light several frames, and the EZVALO 16-inch suits wide pieces.
Blanket Baskets
Wall Shelves
Throw Pillows
Nesting TablesMarble-look, timber and gold nest of table sets ranked for Australian lounges. Our top pick is a sintered stone gold set, the value buy is the most reviewed Artiss walnut pair, and the budget choice slips in under seventy dollars.
Floor CushionsAfter comparing dozens of floor cushions on Amazon AU, our top pick is the MeMoreCool Square Floor Pillow for its 5 inch foam, washable cover and carry handle. The JKMAX is the best value all rounder, and the TAGKOMA round velvet cushion is the budget choice.
Photo FramesWe compared the best photo frames you can buy on Amazon Australia in 2026, covering gallery wall sets, single display frames and WiFi digital frames. The SONGMICS 10 Pack Collage set is our top all rounder, the upsimples 8x10 is the value pick with the biggest review base, and the AMEITECH acrylic magnetic frame is the cheapest way to show off one photo.
Console Tables
CoastersA first home buyer guide to the best drink coasters you can buy on Amazon Australia right now. Our top pick is the Radicaln green onyx marble set for natural stone looks, the ME.FAN silicone set is the best value all rounder, and the Argon Tableware slate set is the budget choice that still protects your table.
Magazine RacksA freestanding PUERSI handbag style rack is our top pick for most Australian lounges, the FRIADE rattan wall rack is the best looking value buy, and the kumet gold wall holder is the cheapest way to clear a pile. Eight racks compared on price, capacity and real owner ratings.
Room Divider ScreensFolding room divider screens that genuinely block sightlines, stay upright on hard floors and look good in a lounge. Our top pick is the Artiss 4-Panel Wooden divider for its solid pine frame and chic natural finish, with a rattan Oikiture for value and a foldable Kokorona for the lowest price.
TV Wall Mounts
Curtain RodsOur top curtain rod for most Australian homes is the BloomFlower sectional extendable rod, which adjusts from 45 to 300cm and holds heavy blockout curtains. The Marlow satin nickel set is the smart value buy, and the Alskarhem black rod is the cheapest pick that still earns thousands of solid reviews.
Indoor Plant Stands
Cushion CoversAfter comparing dozens of cushion covers on Amazon Australia by real star ratings, fabric quality and price, the Foindtower linen set is our top pick for a natural, designer look on a budget. The Meekio linen set is the smart value buy, and the YZJZEDS boho cotton set is the cheapest way to refresh a sofa.
Wall Clocks
Coffee Tables
Storage Ottomans
Doormats
SoundbarsThe best soundbars in Australia 2026: Samsung B400F B Series for the budget 2 channel pick, Bose Smart Soundbar for the premium Dolby Atmos compact, and JBL Bar 500MK2 for the full Atmos package with bundled 10 inch wireless subwoofer. Three researched picks across compact, premium and full cinema tiers, with HDMI eARC connection notes per pick.
Media Streaming Devices
ProjectorWe cut through the fake brightness numbers and supported-not-native resolution lies to find six projectors you can actually buy on Amazon Australia, from a budget native 1080p unit to genuine 4K home cinema.
Portable Projector
Bluetooth SpeakersA plain-spoken guide to the best portable Bluetooth speakers in Australia, from a 35 dollar pocket waterproof to an 80W party speaker with a real subwoofer. We decode IP ratings, the battery-hours trap and the mono-versus-stereo myth so you match the speaker to where you will use it.
Sofa BedsA sofa bed turns your living room into a guest room, but most are hard to sleep on. Of the Amazon AU listings we checked, one cleared our bar, so here it is, plus where to look beyond Amazon.Game night and singalongs
The lounge doubles as the games room and, on the right night, the venue. Picks run from a GameSir pad with hall effect sticks to a karaoke all in one with its own lyrics screen.
Mahjong SetsWe compare seven genuine mahjong tile sets by rule variant, tile size, component mix and storage case, with choices for Chinese, Riichi and American groups.
Card Shufflers
Balloon PumpsEight researched air pumps for party balloons, led by an AU-plug electric model, with manual, foot-powered and cordless alternatives for different decorating jobs.
Electronic Drum KitsSeven complete mesh pad electronic drum kits available on Amazon Australia right now, ranked on what actually decides whether a kit gets played: mesh heads, kick pedal type, dual zone triggering and the footprint it eats in a small lounge room.
Smoke MachinesSeven mains powered party fog machines for Australian homes, checked fresh on Amazon Australia for stock, price, star rating and review count, with the smoke alarm and ventilation warnings the retailers skip.
Confetti CannonsEight confetti cannons for Australian celebrations, compared on launch distance, confetti type, pack size and price, with air-powered and biodegradable picks for weddings, birthdays and gender reveals.
Balloon Arch Kits
Air Hockey TablesA first-home-buyer guide to powered air hockey tables in Australia, comparing six researched picks across full-size and tabletop builds on price, play surface, scoring and footprint.
Dart BoardsA first-home-buyer's guide to the best dart boards in Australia for 2026, covering bristle sisal boards, electronic soft-tip boards and budget cabinet sets, with seven picks compared on rating, wiring and value.
Poker SetsA first-home-buyer's guide to seven poker sets on Amazon Australia, compared on chip count, chip weight, case material and what actually lands on your kitchen table for game night.
Disco BallsA first-home buyer's guide to the best disco balls and party lights on Amazon Australia, covering plug-in LED units and classic hanging mirror balls across seven picks, with fresh prices, star ratings and picks for a range of room sizes and budgets.
Chess SetsSeven chess sets compared on the specifications that actually matter: board width, square size, king height and whether the pieces are weighted or hollow. One tournament set meets FIDE sizing, one folding wooden set is the sensible household default, and one 24cm three-in-one board is the cheapest thing here worth owning.
Foosball TablesSeven foosball tables on Amazon AU, split into full size freestanding tables and tabletop units, with the space and clearance maths most guides skip.
Table Tennis Tables
Card Games
Board Games
Gaming ControllerThe right controller comes down to one question: what do you play on? We matched six controllers to PS5, Xbox, PC, Switch and mobile, weighing hall-effect thumbsticks, wired versus wireless latency, back paddles and the official-versus-third-party value gap so you can pick the pad that actually fits your setup.
Karaoke MachineA karaoke machine turns a lounge room into the best venue in the street, but the market splits into two very different products (kids singalong toys and proper party machines) and most listings will not tell you which one you are looking at. We also explain the part nobody puts on the box: on almost every machine the lyrics come from YouTube on your TV or tablet, not from the machine itself. These six picks run from a 42 dollar kids speaker to a 700 dollar all-in-one with its own lyrics screen, compared on mic count, sound, lights and how the lyrics actually work.Floor patrol
Carpet, floorboards and the bit under the couch: eight machines, from the Shark S1000 steam mop up to a robot vacuum that does the floors for you.
Window Cleaning RobotsA first home buyer's guide to robot window cleaners in Australia, comparing seven Amazon AU models on price, safety systems, navigation and real world streak free results.
Vacuum CleanerCompare stick, barrel, upright, robot and handheld vacuums by the jobs they do in an Australian home. The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute is our cordless stick pick, with a Fluffy Optic cleaner head that lights up dust and an LCD particle count listed for hard floor cleaning. The Miele Guard L1 Cat and Dog is our bagged barrel pick for pet hair on short-pile carpet. Use the linked type guides when you need a closer comparison.
Cordless VacuumsSix Amazon AU cordless vacuum models for Australian homes in 2026: LG, Shark, Tineco, Bosch and Miele compared, from a budget LG CordZero A9-ACE up to the Shark PowerDetect with its auto empty dock.
Stick VacuumsStick vacuums have replaced barrel vacuums in most Australian homes. Cordless, lightweight, and powerful enough for daily use. Here are the best ones.
Robot Vacuum and MopThese five robot vacuum and mop combos use different approaches to wet cleaning, from the ECOVACS DEEBOT N20's flat pad to the rollers on the roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow and ECOVACS DEEBOT X11 PRO Omni. Compare the mop, dock and carpet features before choosing.
Handheld VacuumA plain-spoken guide to the best handheld vacuums for cars, crumbs, stairs and pet hair in Australia. Six picks from 48 dollars, with honest notes on suction claims, battery life and which tools you actually need.
Carpet Cleaner
Steam MopsThree Amazon AU steam mop picks for Australian homes: a BLACK+DECKER 10 in 1 budget multitasker, the Shark S1000 dedicated upright and the Bissell PowerFresh Slim 3 in 1 steam cleaner. Chemical free cleaning for sealed hard floors, plus a floor by floor table covering timber, laminate, vinyl, hybrid and tile.Too hot in January, too cold in July
Australian lounge rooms overshoot in both directions; a reverse cycle split system fixes both ends of the year, and an energy monitoring smart plug tells you what every appliance is costing you in between.
Settling in
Rugs, floating shelves, pet-proofing and the checklists. The HUGEAR 200x300cm washable rug that tops our rug guide hides a multitude of removalist sins.
Flower PressesWe compared seven flower presses for Australian homes, separating roomy wooden screw presses from quick microwave designs. The Rhykoka Extra Large 28 cm Flower Press is our best overall pick for its square work area, 10-layer stack and complete component list.
AirbrushesThe TIMBERTECH ABPST05 is our pick for most beginners, while Gocheer covers compact value and a low-cost stand-alone brush for existing compressor owners.
Dressmaking MannequinsSeven adjustable dressmaking mannequins compared on dial count, published bust and waist spans, pinnable cover and stand type, with Australian pricing and stock checked on Amazon Australia.
Candle Making KitsSeven complete candle making kits compared on stated wax weight, melter type, vessel count and live Amazon Australia ratings, with a no heat beeswax option for kids and full soy starter sets with electric pots.
Pottery WheelsA first-home buyer's guide to six electric pottery wheels you can actually order on Amazon Australia, sorted by motor power, wheel head size, speed control and price.
Cross Stitch KitsSeven complete cross stitch kits for Australian beginners and gift buyers, compared on fabric count, kit contents, finished size and price, with counted and stamped options for every skill level.
Bar Stools
Paper LanternsSeven hanging paper lantern sets for Australian parties and weddings, compared on size, pack count, colour and value, from cheap starter packs to a 55 cm statement lantern.
Paint PensSeven acrylic and oil paint pen sets for rock painting, glass, wood, ceramics and metal, ranked on fresh owner ratings, review counts and Australian prices.
Floor ChairsA first home buyer guide to the best floor chairs on Amazon AU, covering adjustable, folding, swivel and meditation seats with real back support frames.
Dining Chairs
Door StoppersA first-home-buyer's guide to the best door stoppers in Australia for 2026, covering magnetic, wedge, floor-mount and decorative options that hold doors open and stop handles punching your walls.
Diamond Painting KitsA practical, Australian guide to the best full-drill 5D diamond painting kits on Amazon Australia, from a beginner-friendly four-pack to a value single canvas, a bulk multipack and a kid-safe set, each checked for stock, price, canvas size and sparkle.
Throw BlanketsA first-home-buyer guide to the best throw blankets in Australia for 2026, comparing fleece, waffle, knit, faux fur and cotton muslin picks on warmth, texture, size and price.
Sofa CoversSeven sofa covers ranked for Australian homes, spanning stretch slipcovers, pet-proof and waterproof protectors, recliner sets and L-shape sectional covers, with clear notes on seat-count fit, fabric, grip and washability.
EaselsA practical guide to the best art easels you can buy in Australia right now, matched to how you paint: studio H-frame, tabletop, budget tripod, kids, mini and plein-air picks with fresh prices and ratings.
Artificial Flowers
Paint by Numbers
Crochet KitsSix beginner-friendly crochet kits ranked for Australian first-timers, with options spanning hooks, yarn and tutorials, plus fresh AU prices and ratings.
Candle Warmer LampsSeven candle warmer lamps compared on bulb count, timer type and jar fit, with the listed measurements that decide whether your candle actually fits underneath.
Candle Holders
Witch HatsEight witch hats you can actually buy in Australia, compared on material, brim width, head sizing and how well they fold away. Covers felt, knit and oxford hats, kids sizes, headband versions and a 12-pack for hanging on a party wall.
Halloween MasksSeven Halloween masks you can actually get in Australia, compared on material, coverage, weight and live Amazon Australia ratings. Latex full heads, a light-up party mask, moulded half masks and a budget skull, plus what to check for visibility, glasses and comfort over a whole night.
Adult Halloween Costumes
Sheer CurtainsSix light filtering sheer and voile curtains for Australian homes on Amazon AU, covering eyelet vs rod pocket, standard drops, layering behind blockout, and rental friendly hanging.
Salt LampsSix real Himalayan salt lamps on Amazon Australia, compared as warm ambient lighting and decor rather than wellness. Natural rock, USB minis, shaped gifts and a dimmable pick.
Halloween DecorationsAustralian Halloween lands in spring, not autumn, so the decorations that work here are the ones that hold colour in strong sun, survive an October wind and still read as spooky before it is properly dark. We checked every pick live on Amazon Australia and kept the family-friendly end of the category: one lit inflatable for the street, stretch web to cover a frontage, bat decals for indoors, skeleton stakes for a small lawn, a battery web light, a garage door cover and party tableware.
Artificial PlantsSeven artificial plants available on Amazon Australia, compared on the three things that decide whether a faux plant looks convincing: height against the space, the pot it sits in, and whether the stems can be reshaped. Every price, rating and measurement was pulled from the live Australian listing, and the flaws sections are built from what Australian buyers actually complained about.
Advent CalendarsMagna-Tiles microMAGS leads our six advent calendar picks for Australia in 2026, alongside LEGO City, Star Wars and Friends, Monster Jam Mini and Hidden Games. Listings checked on 2 October 2026, with edition details, age guidance and advice for chocolate and beauty shoppers.
Scented CandlesA first home buyer's guide to the best scented candles on Amazon Australia for 2026, with six soy wax picks across gift sets, single jars, and men's candles, plus a buying guide, care tips, and FAQs.
artificial Christmas treesOur pick is the National Tree Company Kingswood Fir, a slim, unlit artificial Christmas tree with hinged branches and an included metal stand. Compare five trees on height, shape, lighting, stands and sellers: two unlit trees and three pre-lit trees.
Bean BagsA first-home buyer's guide to the best bean bags on Amazon Australia, split clearly into ready-filled loungers and fill-it-yourself covers, with real ratings, prices and filling amounts.
Rugs
Floor LampA floor lamp is a way to make a bare first lounge feel finished: it lifts a dark corner, gives you proper reading light, and warms up the harsh white ceiling globe most rentals come with. We aggregated the Amazon AU listings to find the picks worth their plug.
Floating ShelvesFloating shelves put display and storage on a bare wall without a clunky bracket frame in the way, but the right one depends entirely on what you hang on it and what you hang it into. A clear acrylic ledge is the cheap display option for books and trinkets, a concealed-bracket MDF shelf gives the true invisible floating look for books and towels, a genuine solid-wood shelf with a visible bracket suits plants and decor, a long span looks built-in, and an industrial pipe shelf with a towel bar crosses over into a bathroom or kitchen. The one rule that beats all the rest is mounting: every weight rating here assumes you fix into a timber stud or masonry, not bare plasterboard. We weighed material, bracket style, span and load. These six run from a 27 dollar upsimples acrylic set up to a 138 dollar Helsin pipe shelf.
Home Maintenance Schedule: What New Homeowners Need to Do Monthly, Quarterly & YearlyNobody gives you a maintenance manual when you buy a house. Here's exactly what to do monthly, quarterly, and yearly, so small problems don't become expensive ones.
Moving Day Essentials: What to Pack in Your First-Night BoxPack one box that goes in the car with you, not the truck. Your first-night box is the difference between a smooth move-in and a chaotic disaster.
New Home ChecklistThe complete new home checklist for Australian first home buyers. Room-by-room essentials from kitchen to outdoor: what to buy first week, first month, and first 3 months. With costs and product picks.
Pet-Proofing Your New Home: Essential Guide for Dog & Cat OwnersMoving with pets adds a whole extra layer of chaos. Here's how to set up your new home so it works for everyone, including the four-legged family members.The new homeowner checklist
Set up every room in the right order.
The room-by-room checklist we’d hand a mate on settlement day, with our pick for each job. One email, then we leave you alone.
Free. No follow-up drip. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lounge questions, answered straight
What should I buy first for the lounge room in a new home?
A vacuum, before anything else, because the previous owner's final clean is never as thorough as promised; our vacuum guide and stick vacuum guide cover the options. The TV can wait a week.
Is a cheap TV good enough for a first home lounge?
Honestly, yes. Spend the savings on sound, because thin TVs mean thin speakers; our TV and soundbar guides cover the options.
What's the smartest way to heat and cool a lounge room?
A reverse cycle split system does both jobs. Our guide covers sizing of 2.5kW for bedrooms and 5.0kW for living rooms and names its Amazon AU pick, the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Avanti 2.5kW. Whatever you choose, budget for a licensed installer, because DIY refrigerant work is illegal in Australia.
From the editor
Buy the couch before the soundbar. Cinema sound is wasted with nowhere to sit, so get the order right.
Anish Puri, NestPathKeep furnishing: more rooms
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, NestPath earns from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a product link and buy something, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe will help new homeowners. This does not influence our recommendations.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.