Controversial $3 Kmart hack returns amid cost of living crisis

A Kmart hack many Aussies loathe is unexpectedly back as the cost of living crisis sends people scrambling for cheap reno options.

A controversial Kmart hack – which many loved but others loathed – has made a surprising comeback, and it’s fair to say not everyone is happy.

The adhesive vinyl craze was all the rage a few years back, with money-savvy Australians using it to revamp everything from kitchen benches to drab appliances and even old doors.

While some shoppers raved about the Kmart item, labelling it “genius” and “versatile”, others said it was “tacky”.

Now, as the cost of just about everything has risen – from groceries to rent and mortgage rates – it seems Australians are embracing the money-saving adhesive vinyl “hack” once again, with rolls of the adhesive vinyl selling for between $3 and $3.75 each.

A woman has recently revealed she overhauled her kitchen using a $3.75 Kmart item. Picture: Facebook

One woman recently took to Facebook to show off her kitchen counter which had been transformed from a dark grey to a white “terrazzo” pattern for just $21.

“Kmart vinyl wrap [which] total $21 – still have some left over even after mistakes,” she posted alongside several before and after snaps.

But while some applauded the budget makeover, other Aussies shared their disdain.

“Oh no, the vinyl covered benches are back,” one wrote.

“I thought people grew out of this like two years ago,” another commenter said.

And a third wrote: “Definitely a no from me, sorry.”

Meanwhile another simply said: “Not again.”

While some said it looked ‘amazing’, others scoffed at the use of adhesive vinyl. Picture: Facebook

Despite the negative response from some, others praised the transformation, saying it “looks amazing”.

“I’m normally not one for the vinyl wrap thing but this actually looks amazing! It’s made such a huge difference! So much fresher and lighter,” one said.

“I usually hate these vinyl covered anything … but this looks amazing,” another wrote.

One even said: “Turned out beautiful. Be proud of yourself.”

Still, some warned against the hack, stating it doesn’t “stand the test of time”.

“Remember doing this a few years back. Didn’t stay looking good for long,” one said.

“Same one I used years ago. Didn’t stand the test of time,” another wrote.

It has been claimed the ‘hack’ looks ‘tacky’ in the past. Picture: Facebook

Others asked how it easy it was to install, adding they would be worried about placing hot items on it.

The original poster explained the product was heat resistant to 70C and that she’d covered her benchtop with the adhesive vinyl using a few items she had at home.

“It’s pretty straightforward – just need a ruler, sharp scissors and box cutters to cut around sink and oven – and a whole heap of patience,” she said, adding a card to “smooth out any bubbles” was also necessary.

The adhesive vinyl hack first started gaining popularity in 2019 with shoppers describing it as a “genius” way to undertake a home reno on the cheap.

Hype around the different ways to use the cheap product had fizzled until it recently resurged at the start of 2023 in Kmart fan groups.