Kmart shoppers stun with incredible DIY spaces using $12 item: 'These look fantastic'

Kmart shoppers are proving that creativity does not have to come with a hefty price tag, as they show off the clever ways they transform spaces in their homes using a simple and inexpensive item. From bathrooms to kitchens and more, fans of the budget retailer are flocking to their local stores to snag this DIY find that turns our most used rooms into stylish havens.

For just $12 for a pack of 5 self-adhesive tiles (or you can also pay $13 for 8), many Kmart customers have said they've had great success changing up the look of different areas in their houses with minimal fuss and, most importantly in a cost of living crisis, minimal expense. While the end results often look amazing, an interior decorator and DIY expert has warned that there are some drawbacks to be considered.

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"I think the floor tiles are a great budget-friendly alternative as long as it's known to the installer that it's a temporary fix and not a long-term addition to the space," Zoe Gilpin - who runs the successful social media account The DIY Decorator - tells Yahoo Lifestyle.

How long will the Kmart self-adhesive tiles last?

This answers a very good question that recently came up more than once in a Facebook group for people who love a good Kmart home decor hack.

After several different people revealed their DIY victories using the Kmart tiles, many of the comments were from people wanting to know how long they could possibly last.

"I want to do the benches but my friends said no? I’m renting and not sure the vinyl will hold up," one person said.

"Also in a rental with benches similar to yours and I'm always changing them," offered another Kmart fan.

"Any problems with sticking 'cause I had heaps of issues?" another asked.

"Yes," one of the original posters replied. "I used Alien Tape in little squares. It seems to be stuck quite well now!!

Says Zoe, "A tip to make them last longer is to add an extra coat of spray-on adhesive to the back of the stick-on tiles and then the flooring to create that stronger bond."

And, while Zoe has said that the tiles are not a long-term solution, she adds "If installed correctly - with the surface properly prepared before applying - it can be a great short-term option perfect for renters or people on a budget."

Are there areas where self-stick tiles should not be used?

According to Kmart's website, these tiles are resistant to water, oil, normal kitchen temperatures, and mildew. As long as the dust is wiped off during installation, the retailer claims the tiles can be used in your kitchen, living room, and bedroom. They require no grouting or cementing and are reportedly easy to clean with a damp cloth and mild detergent.

However, Zoe cautions: "People need to keep in mind that using them in high-traffic areas and areas where they will be exposed to water and moisture is not ideal and they won't last too long there."

Can the tiles cause any damage to the surface?

Given that this hack is more likely to be used by renters or people on a stricter budget, it makes sense that people wanted to know if using these self-adhesive tiles could cause any potential damage to the surface they are applied on - thereby negating the cost efficiency of the trick.

"If people are worried about damaging their floors in the process, they can always cover them with painter's tape and then stick the self-adhesive tiles to that," says Zoe.

Shoppers rave about transformed spaces using Kmart item

While there were certainly shoppers who were sceptical about the use of the Kmart tiles, the majority of group members were full of praise for the posters that had spruced up their kitchen splashback, bedroom floor and bathroom respectively.

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"These look fantastic well done!!" someone said of the bedroom transformation.

"Wow. Just wow," another shopper wrote of the bathroom makeover.

Meanwhile, "Fabulous," "Oh I love those colours" and "Looks lovely, well done," were just some of the comments that were posted under the photos of the new-and-improved kitchen splashback.

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