Out of your home

created a cosseted space in your private garden,’’ she said.

Huxtable recommended plants with dense, thick evergreen leaves to help reduce noise.

He agreed planting didn’t reduce noise by much, but if a thick hedge was planted in conjunction with a barrier, this could soften noise flow, help create a more private space and filter out pollution. them out. Kitson offers a few basic tips to avoid critters making your home their own.

‘‘It sounds simple, but just clean up. Keep the kitchen tidy and store food correctly,’’ he says.

‘‘Another big one is keeping the house dry. You’ll attract cockroaches and mozzies, especially in the warmer months, if you have bodies of water.’’

This means wiping up any puddles in wet areas, draining the sink when the dishes are done, or tightening any leaky fixtures.

Natural solutions for common household bugs include things you’ll likely have around the home. Here are Kitson’s top tips for eradicating common pests:

Mice Acoustic panels

Acoustic panels were becoming more readily available but Stanish warned they could look quite industrial. ‘‘A landscape designer will be able to help you soften and integrate the final look and feel of the product in your garden,’’ she said.

Stanish said as housing density increased, more palatable urban designs would likely make it across the ditch.

Huxtable said urban pressures were growing and so acoustic fences and walls were slowly becoming more commonplace and were a very effective way of reducing noise.

‘‘There are typically solid panels made with a variety of materials. Timber acoustic fences are more lightweight and less likely to be damaged by earthquake activity than traditional blockwork or brick walls,’’ he said.

Pop some peppermint, eucalyptus or spearmint oil on a cotton ball. Wherever you’d be normally placing traps and poison, such as behind the fridge, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, place the balls. Also, put them in a spot you suspect mice are using as an entrance, to try to deter them.

Moths and smaller bugs

In a spray bottle, make a 50:50 white vinegar and water solution. Add about 15 drops of eucalyptus, five drops of peppermint and 10 drops of cedarwood essential oil. Mix well. Use the solution to spray and wipe your pantry surfaces.

Ants

Put white vinegar in a spray bottle and squirt it wherever ants commonly appear. Try wiping peppermint essential oil or sprinkling ground black or cayenne pepper in the ants’ path.

If you feel the problem has escalated too far, Kitson suggests contacting a professional, who can assess the infestation and use stronger methods to combat pests in your home.

This article originally appeared on Domain.com.au and has been republished with permission.

As you start to transform your rental into a home and move your furniture around, it becomes easy to scratch or dent flooring and make marks on the walls. Preventing damage from the start will make personalising your rental less stressful.

The legs of items like tables and chairs can scratch hard flooring. Adding felt stickers to the underside of each leg will make moving furniture around less risky. A thin slice of a cork attached to the underside of legs is another quick and easy way to prevent markings.

Display your art without wall damage

Many tenancy agreements specify that adhesive hooks and Blu-Tack aren’t suitable for hanging pictures, as these methods run the risk of damaging paint or walls.

Leaning art against a wall rather than hanging it is a great workaround for renters looking to add some personality to their home. If you’re leaning on leaning, the bigger the better with your art so it occupies as much wall space as possible. A layered look will help ensure the art looks curated and less like you’ve been putting off hanging it.

For large floor pieces, canvaswrapped art works well as they are often light and easier to move around. For heavier, timber-framed pieces, transparent non-slip grip at the base of the frame can stop the

If your rental comes with a backyard, you’ll need to ask your landlord’s permission before starting your own garden. A garden that is portable and contained is your best bet for avoiding conflict with your landlord when it comes time for you to leave.

Elevated vege and herb gardens are a great way to add more greenery to your space without affecting the property, and work well for balconies, too. Repurposing second-hand wooden boxes with appropriate drainage is a cost-effective way of creating a home for your plants.

Adding roller-wheeled feet to the bottom of any planter boxes or larger pot plants will make your next move that much easier, and it helps when restyling your rental, too.

This article first appeared in Domain.com.au and has been republished with permission.