Yahoo Lifestyle 
Kmart shopper's transformation with 'incredible' $22 DIY item: 'Beautiful and practical'
We asked Interior Decorator Zoe Gilpin for her thoughts on the Kmart's self-adhesive panelling.
During Covid (aka the forgotten years) we were all stuck inside our homes noticing every single tiny little thing that was wrong with them or that we wanted to change. The only problem? The economy was tanking and we couldn't afford to do half of what we wanted - or we were renters who couldn't make major changes to our dwellings.
Thank goodness for Kmart because, with its seemingly never-ending selection of DIY products at bargain prices, we can afford to upgrade our spaces and still have cash left over for a cheeky wine with the girls. In particular, shoppers have been loving the budget retailer's self-adhesive panels that give your walls and furniture a fresh, new look for a fraction of the cost.
"Everyone is loving the linear panelling look but the timber version can be quite pricey, so the Kmart foam adhesive alternatives are a great budget-friendly option for DIY enthusiasts and renters," Interior Decorator Zoe Gilpin told Yahoo Lifestyle.
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From TV cabinets to headboards, feature walls and more, Kmart fans are racing to their local stores to pick up 5 packs of the stick-on panels and turning their spaces into sweet little havens - and taking to social media to share the results.
Impressive before and after results
One savvy person upgraded her entertainment unit and bedside tables with the panelling writing, "$20 went a long way! Giving my furniture a little freshen up with the Kmart adhesive panels. Not perfect but over the moon with how it turned out. Now to order more."
While the price of the panels has now gone up $2 (thanks, inflation) - most shoppers still agree they are a DIY'er dream.
Another very clever person shared before and after photos of their bedside tables and the difference was truly remarkable.
"I’ve been wanting to do up these bedside tables for our guest room for years. I finally got my hands on the self adhesive white panels from Kmart so I could start my project! Paint and handles from Kmart too. I just love how they turned out," they wrote. The posy was flooded with nearly 100 comments from people who were thoroughly impressed with her efforts.
"They look amazing!," one person said.
"Wow, that's a lovely transformation! Looks fabulous," added another.
"Wow, they look incredible!! Very impressed!" said a third.
Interior decorator approved
"These panels are fantastic for updating existing furniture pieces for an instant new look," says Zoe. "They can also be used on the back of kitchen benches which looks fantastic or as a half wall in a room to add character. I've seen people use them on the front of their vanity cupboards in a bathroom which looks great."
Zoe, who runs the popular Instagram account The DIY Decorator, speaks from experience as she has used the adhesive panels herself - documenting the results in a video that has since racked up almost 160k views.
"I gave our old IKEA TV unit in the kid's living room a glow-up using the new Kmart self-adhesive panels," she shares in the video. "Simply cut to size and stick on. So easy! I also upgraded the unit's handles with the $6 two-pack gold look lip handles, which are also from Kmart.
Super impressed with the adhesive panels for the price — it's foam, but quite dense, so great for this type of project! Can't wait to try the leftover panels out elsewhere in our home."
Panels are kid-friendly, too
Another Kmart shopper revealed that the panels don't just look great, they are perfect for anyone who has an energetic toddler or two at home as well.
"Kmart self-adhesive white panels to provide a bit of cushioning when the spirited toddlers decide to jump on the ottoman and knock themselves against the wall," the shopper laughed on Facebook. "It feels quite spongy; I love the texture and think it looks nice!"
"That is beautiful and practical!" one impressed group member said while others raved that they "loved it and that it was "gorgeous."
Things to keep in mind when using Kmart panels
Although the panels are hugely popular and affordable - as well as being easy to apply - Zoe does offer a few words of caution.
"People should keep in mind that these are not reusable so they can damage the surface being applied to," she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. "The painter's tape trick (apply painter's tape to the surface before adding the stick-on panels) works great for this to protect the surface." She also notes, "Before applying the panels, the surface should be clean, smooth & dust-free to ensure even adhesion."
As for keeping the panels looking their best once they've been applied, Zoe recommends cleaning with warm water when needed but avoiding using cleaning products on the foam.
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At the moment the panels don't come in a huge range of colour options but Zoe says that should not deter people from purchasing.
"The panels come in a white wood grain finish, but can be painted to any desired colour - I would recommend using a two-in-one primer & paint spray paint."
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