Complete darkness If you’re serious about sleep, then all lights need to go out. Light exposure prevents the body from making melatonin (a primary sleep hormone) By lights, we’re talking lamps, ceiling lights, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, tv’s, hallway lights etc. You get the idea. By doing this, you...
When selecting the colours for our All Seasons Twill range, we did extensive analysis of the colour forecast by Pantone, and then re worked the colours to make them inline with what is “Koala”. We then ran through all colour options through our dedicated Product team, and conducted research...
Your sofa deserve hero status in your living room, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be left pristine and unadorned by so much as a bolster cushion. That approach removes at one stroke the chance to give your decorating a little oomph with some well-placed accessories, and there...
Alcohol is usually seen as a great addition to a party but what does a night out do to your sleep? It generally takes about 20 minutes for alcohol to enter your blood stream after consumption, and it’s effect can be detrimental to your sleep. Falling asleep after getting...
The Great Barrier Reef The breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef blows me away every time I visit. The ocean is truly the last “quiet” place on earth, where all the stress and noise of every day life can be left at the surface once submerged below....
A romp in the sack can be a noisy time but we’ve taken the squeaking of out the bedroom with our Timber Bed Base (unless you know, you’re into that kind of thing). It even went on to win in the Good Design Award for product design in...
Even if you live in a large house, chances are there’s an area within that a real estate agent might describe as ‘cosy’ – and if you’re one of the increasing number of apartment dwellers, you’re likely to be pretty familiar with compact rooms. In fact, there’s a lot to...
The first time you share a bed with someone can be filled with excitement, anticipation not to mention a few nerves. Sharing a bed is a positive sign that the relationship is progressing to a new level and you’re getting comfortable with that significant other. But…sharing a bed...
Waking up on a Sunday has been greatly improved (thanks to a Koala pillow), and what better way to celebrate another week gone by than brunch? Today I’m going to answer the most frequently asked question ever; where I brunch! Read more
-->Have you ever heard the saying, “Never Go To Bed Angry?” Well, that old saying actually has some merit. Whilst going to bed angry might seem like no big deal, and you think logically you can sleep it off, and wake up fresh but if you do it often enough...
Of course, whatever furniture and furnishing you choose for your place is entirely up to you. But since you ask, here are nine – er, enhancements that your home can probably do without… Boring neutrals Now, there’s nothing wrong with understated colours, and as a base to your overall decorating...
Does sleep affect weight loss? Yes. During periods of less than ideal sleep, the weight you lose is actually a higher proportion of the hard earned muscle than fat. Let’s break it down further: I’d often get a confused look on peoples faces when I talk about how sleeping...
Koala hasn’t been around forever. We’re a couple of years old, but during that time we’ve prided ourselves on taking all the experience we’ve garnered from creating Australia’s highest rated mattress on Yotpo, Product Review, and Google Reviews to making Australia’s comfiest sofa perfect for naps!
Working at Koala has many benefits, and one of them is the sometimes hilarious amount of functional beds found across the workplace, and that we are allowed naps at work (in the designated nap pods). Naps are actually good for you, and before you head off to your nearest HR...
Are you a notorious blanket hog, or are you a victim of sharing a bed with one? While you may think that they do it because of selfish reasons, it may actually be because of who they shared a bed with as a child.
This simple yet delicious pancake stack is the perfect way to start your day! This recipe is refined sugar-free, oil-free, uses rolled oats in place of regular white flour, contains a healthy dose of good fats and is made using wholesome ingredients. Serve with fresh fruit & enjoy a...
Dreams, and dream analysis has been an insightful method to interpret, and understand a person’s stresses, fears, and hopes. Even in ancient cultures, humans knew just how important interpreting dreams were to get a better understanding of yourself, and how you can move forward in life. Debatably, while there...
Australians take a comfort first approach to bedtime with 52% wearing their favourite pjs to bed, and only 18% of Aussies go commando when they go to sleep. Whether you’re snuggled in your pjs or bearing it all, research shows that rocking your birthday suit to bed is actually...
There are a host of well documented advantages to getting adequate sleep which we’ll get into more detail in this Sleep & Physical Performance Series. New ways of thinking Gone are the days where people think “sleep is for the weak” or “sleep when I’m dead”. On the contrary,...
Let’s face it, in this day and age, there seems to be an obsession with being busy. The alarm goes off. Before you even jump out of bed you grab your iphone, and start checking off your to do list. Your morning routine might involve getting the kids, ready...
These days, the master bedroom is as much a soul-restoring sanctuary from our crazy-busy life as it is a place to sleep. If you’re planning your perfect parents’ retreat, our eight steps to a magical master suite will help. Pick a great bed You’ll spend roughly a third of your...
The indoor plant trend is back with a vengeance and we certainly understand why. Over the years, studies have shown countless benefits of having plants at home. Nowadays, plants are more than just affordable eye candy for your home—they also offer a simple, inexpensive way to give you...
Why stretching is important There are many factors that go into improved physical performance, recovery being one, stretching another. A good night’s sleep is vital in allowing the body to rest, relax and rebuild, stretching in order to improve flexibility, range of motion and injury...
Growing up our favourite breakfast was Mum’s freshly made waffles hot out of the waffle-iron with our choice of toppings. Here’s a simple yet luxurious flavour combination that you can treat yourself, and bring back to nostalgia of Mum’s brekkie. MAKES: 8-10 Waffles PREPARATION: 10 minutes COOKING: 20 minutes ...
Introducing Elizabeth Marin Elizabeth is an exercise/sport scientist and nutritionist that has been working in elite sport for 15 years. Recently Elizabeth was appointed Wallabies sport scientist and nutritionist for the next two years for the lead up to 2019 Rugby Union World Cup. Her main role...
We recently attended the Caring for our Koalas & our Environment Conference as part of the Hello Koalas Festival to find out exactly how our furry friends are doing, and to learn about the actions we need to take as a society in order to preserve their place...
At Koala we recognise that we have a duty of care to the planet, both as individuals and as a company. We strive not only on setting new trends in the furniture industry, but also on setting a good example by doing our bit for the environment.
Join Junji Tai, Mecca Coffee’s trainer and warehouse manager, for a comprehensive guide to one of the simplest and most popular brew methods at home. Words by Cam Stephens & Junji Tai: Not many things in the world are as lighthearted and charming as...
Koala hasn’t been around forever. We’re a couple of years old, but during that time we’ve prided ourselves on taking all the experience we’ve garnered from creating an absolutely amazing mattress. Our geniuses have now analysed all the data they’ve collected into making the most comfy, nappable couch you’ll find...
Koala is an Aussie furniture company (which in many ways may seem insignificant in the scheme of the world, but in our mind, we all have a role to play in protecting and preserving the place we call home). How do the decisions made at a small workshop in Sydney...
If you’re looking to get development application (DA) approval for a new build, a renovation or to get that pool you’ve have always dreamed about, there are a range of things that you need to do to get things sorted with the minimum amount of hassle. First off, do...
In this day and age, it’s easy to be overwhelmed with technology. From Facebook, Instagram, emails and relying on a little robot vacuum to clean the house (PS: the best thing ever!), we are so heavily tied to being connected with the outside world, yet increasingly disconnected from nature. Getting...
There is nothing better than waking up from a good night’s sleep, feeling fresh and ready to tackle whatever the day is going to throw at you. Meanwhile, if you drag yourself out of bed after a restless night tossing and turning, overthinking and not relaxing, you feel like you’ve...
Our friends at Lunch Lady Magazine create mouth watering recipes – and have been so kind to share three of their recipes exclusively with Habitat. For all the sweet tooths out there, they have created the ultimate upside down apple cinnamon cake recipe. UPSIDE DOWN APPLE CINNAMON CAKE...
At Koala, we pride ourselves on providing products and service that enable Australians to make the most of their day. Taking this core company value to the next level, we have partnered with luxury tiny house accommodation company Kindled to provide Sydneysiders with the ultimate off-the-grid getaway to recharge and...
Creating an amazing bathroom renovation can be difficult when you’re on a budget, but a few tips and tricks could save you some serious cash and allow you to have the bathroom of your dreams without the huge price tag. Here are some tips for renovating your bathroom without spending...
There is a lot to be said for picking up a book, finding a quiet spot and turning a page or two. There are myriad benefits of reading that have advanced the human race over the centuries, but we are not here to get all philosophical on you. By all...
Your surroundings influence how effective you are at work, life and in relationships. Life is too short to deal with a world cluttered with noise that is adding no value to our state of being. The key to simplifying your life and freeing your mind is to be ruthless...
The struggle can be real if you’re not a morning person. Dragging yourself out of bed, shuffling into the shower, throwing down breakfast only to be confronted with the dreaded daily commute all while you’d rather be chilling out at home curled up in bed. By changing your morning...
The idea of moving house might strike fear into your heart as your memory sparks visions of lifting your furniture and possessions in and out of your home to a new abode. Moving house doesn’t need to be a horrifying experience if you follow a few unknown tips that might...
As part of an exclusive mini-series, our friends at Lunch Lady Magazine share three of their epic recipes with Habitat. Our first one was a delicious homemade pizza recipe, whereas this is one is more for the sushi lovers out there! QUINOA YA Read more
-->Technology should make things easier not make you work harder. But, as we all know, there are many applications and disruptive technologies that take us away from our days, rather than add value! In this tech-driven world, here are some of the showstoppers that will help you work smarter,...
In this mini-series, our friends at Lunch Lady Magazine share three of their epic recipes exclusively with Habitat. These creations are a surefire hit with the entire household and are super easy to make. With autumn on the way, it’s time to get back into pizza night!...
In light of our recent brand partnership with Purpose, a conference for purpose-driven business, we asked our own champion of purpose and sustainability – Thrivability Manager Simone Awramenko – for an in-depth overview of Koala’s mission to drive purpose into every aspect of our business. Read on...
We’re all looking for ways to get more out of our day, at work, home or life in general. Thanks to smartphones, social media and being able to access the web from just about anywhere, procrastination can creep into our day leaving our productivity levels at an all-time low. If...
Do you find yourself wondering where your day went? Does your time seem to slip through your fingers and you wind up never get anything done? The secret to managing your time effectively and treating yourself to the work/life balance you crave could be as simple as breaking your day...
If you’re sick of your living space and want to breathe new life in your living room with a modern makeover, there are some easy ways to do with without blowing the budget. Adding new flooring, furniture, paint and working on the layout can give your living room the update...
As we age our brain function decreases and studies suggest keeping mentally active can greatly improve cognitive function and improve mental stimulation. Studies show that young adults who participate in brain training have a higher brain processing speed, increased memory and highly functioning executive functions –...
If your New Year’s resolution is to brush up on your skills and broaden your horizons an online course could be the way to expand your mind and gain fresh knowledge. These days, rather than heading off to your local TAFE or college to learn something new, the world is...
Allowing your body to successfully adjust when you’ve embarked on a journey through multiple time zones is easier said than done but if you arm yourself with the right tools, you could be kicking jet lag to the curb so you can get on with your holiday fresh as a...