Kmart shoppers rushing to grab $16 dupe of $99 item before summer: 'Can’t go wrong'

Kmart fans are loving the retailer's range of entertaining essentials - at a fraction of the prices other stores are charging.

Kmart shoppers are finding ways to make summer entertaining affordable. Credit: TikTok/@salrodzen/Kmart/@cooper.home
Kmart shoppers are finding ways to make summer entertaining affordable. Credit: TikTok/@salrodzen/Kmart/@cooper.home

Spring has officially sprung Down Under. The days are getting warmer (and longer), which means outdoor dining is back in business, baby.

Sitting outside at a restaurant or cafe is one thing, but there’s honestly nothing better than grabbing a few of your best mates and putting on an alfresco dining situation of your own. Whether it’s a lunchtime picnic in the park or a sunset dinner on the deck at home, nothing beats those warm nights full of great food and even better friends.

When it comes to hosting a dinner party, it’s the little things that go a long way. You’ve probably seen the tablescaping trend that’s taken over social media in recent years, where creators show how they style and create a beautiful spread featuring various homewares and knick-knacks to take their hosting game to the next level.

RELATED:

Of course, you can splash out on top-of-the range homewares to recreate the tablescapes seen on Pinterest. But if you’re feeling the pinch from the cost of living crisis, there are plenty of affordable dupes out there that still hold a candle to the real thing.

With this in mind, here are some of our favourite homeware dupes from budget retailer Kmart to elevate your next outdoor dinner party — including some new pieces that have arrived just in time for spring!

Remember those Bordallo Pinheiro cabbage bowls that were a household staple in the ‘80s? Well, apparently they've made a comeback. Shoppers have taken to social platforms like TikTok and Instagram to share how they incorporate the popular vegetable-shaped plates and bowls into their home decor. And we have to say, they’re actually super cute!

But retailing at $99, it’s not an affordable option for many. If you’re looking for a dupe that’s close enough to the real thing, Kmart fans have praised its new cabbage crockery range — including a bowl that competes with the Bordallo Pinheiro at just $16.

Of course the original is made in Portugal from rustic glazed earthenware, while the Kmart version is made in China from new bone china. But it’s hard to argue with that price.

"That cabbage bowl filled with a pile of bright fresh coleslaw or bright fresh pasta salad 👌🤌," one social media user wrote of the find.

Although typically used as a salad bowl, shopper and content creator Amy Cooper actually purchased the cabbage bowl to add a “pop of colour” to her entryway, styling it as a “drop bowl” for her keys, wallet and other accessories.

“I have definitely noticed a trend at the moment in budget stores like Kmart and The Reject Shop of these food-shaped kitchenware items,” Cooper told Yahoo Lifestyle.

The Reject Shop also sells a version of the $99 Bordallo Pinheiro bowl for just $5. Credit: Reject Shop/Peters of Kensington
The Reject Shop also sells a version [left] of the $99 Bordallo Pinheiro bowl for just $5. Credit: Reject Shop/Peters of Kensington

In a budget-retailer fan group on Facebook, many shoppers actually highlighted The Reject Shop’s cabbage bowl as an even cheaper option (only $5!) that looks almost identical to the Bordallo Pinheiro.

“The Reject Shop did it better,” one buyer noted.

“Reject Shop ones look a lot nicer than the Kmart ones and are decently priced,” a second chimed in.

Cabbage bowls are really having a moment, so you can also find dupes at stores like H&M, Myer and Pillow Talk (although these are slightly pricier at about $20 a pop).

One of the easiest ways to elevate your tablescape is by adding homeware accessories like candles. Perfect for a dinner at dusk, having a few taper candles placed across the table will really bring the whole scene together and add a romantic vibe to the evening.

Kmart's wave taper candle holders are just $5 for two! Photo: TikTok/@its_tegan_jean
Kmart's wave taper candle holders are just $5 for two! Photo: TikTok/@its_tegan_jean

Naturally with taper candles you’ll need candle holders too — we’re loving Kmart’s wavy candle holders which are perfect for summer with their seashell-like design. Plus, they’re only $5 for a set of two! Talk about a bargain.

"They are all so nice," one person wrote of the different coloured options.

"Oooh I love," added another.

You can get similar ones from more expensive homeware sites, like The Oddative’s $35 taper candle holder, but the cheapie is just as cute in my opinion.

Nothing says spring like florals (groundbreaking, I know), so having a beautiful bouquet on display is an easy way to immediately bring life to your tablescape.

When it comes to vases, Kmart’s textured urn-shaped vase is perfect for that “bougie on a budget” look, and brings a rustic, farmhouse kind of vibe to the table.

Kmart's textured urn-shaped vases are giving bougie on a budget. Photo: TikTok/@salrodzen
Kmart's textured urn-shaped vases are giving bougie on a budget. Photo: TikTok/@salrodzen

Sydney based interior designer Sally Rodzen even highlighted on her TikTok page that the vase rivals the luxe designs seen online at retailers like West Elm and Pottery Barn.

SHOP:

“Can’t go wrong with a rustic vase,” Rodzen said. “The texture is actually realistic for $15.”

For comparison, West Elm’s Form Studies cream vase offers a similar look, but retails for $87. Don’t you just love a good dupe?!

Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.