Bunnings Kmart Furniture Competition: DIY Ideas & Deals

Anyone who has tried furnishing a home on a tight budget in Australia has likely compared Bunnings and Kmart at some point. While they share the same parent company (Wesfarmers), the two retailers serve very different roles in the home ecosystem — one is a DIY and hardware powerhouse, the other a discount department store with a strong homewares range.

Bunnings stores in Australia: Over 300 (Bunnings official site) ·
Kmart stores in Australia: Over 200 (Kmart official site) ·
Bunnings operating region: Australia and New Zealand (Wesfarmers business overview)

This table summarises the core positioning of each retailer for quick reference.

How do Bunnings and Kmart furniture compare?

This guide cuts through the marketing to show how their furniture offerings actually stack up, where they overlap, and how smart shoppers mix and match items from both to create affordable, stylish results.

What are the price differences?

• Bunnings does not position itself as a furniture retailer; its pricing is built around project materials and tools (Bunnings About Us). Kmart, by contrast, competes on everyday low prices for ready-made furniture and homewares (Kmart About Kmart).
• Cost-of-living pressure has made budget options more attractive, driving shoppers toward both stores for affordable solutions (Reserve Bank of Australia).

Which store offers better quality?

• Bunnings’ core categories (hardware, timber, flooring) are built for durability and trade-grade standards (Wesfarmers overview).
• Kmart’s furniture is trend-led and budget-priced, which can mean tradeoffs in long-term durability (Kmart Home).
• Neither retailer publishes furniture-specific quality ratings, so the comparison remains partly subjective.

How do customers rate each brand?

• Bunnings is widely trusted for project support and trade supplies; Kmart is praised for affordability and convenience (Kmart About Kmart).
• Online forums and social media highlight satisfaction with Kmart’s home range for quick room refreshes, while Bunnings gets high marks for materials and tools (Bunnings About Us).

“Bunnings brings in more money per store. They have less competition and thus higher margins, compared to Kmart with Target, Big W, Best & Less.”

— Reddit user in r/australia

The takeaway: Comparing the two is not apples-to-apples. Bunnings sells the ingredients; Kmart sells the finished dish. The best choice depends on whether you want to build it yourself or buy it ready-made.

What are the best Bunnings and Kmart furniture competition ideas?

How to create a side table using Kmart and Bunnings items

1. Visit Bunnings to buy timber legs, casters, and paint – these are project materials you can customise.
2. At Kmart, purchase a tabletop or storage cube as the base – either the Astin Sinclair range or simple white cube.
3. Attach the legs using screws and a drill (available from Bunnings).
4. Apply paint or finish from Bunnings to match your décor.

• Popular on social media: combining a Kmart Kallax-style shelf with Bunnings hairpin legs creates an industrial-chic desk or side table.

What other DIY projects combine both stores?

• Build a custom TV unit using Bunnings plywood and Kmart baskets for storage.
• Use Bunnings polycarbonate sheets and Kmart LED strips to create a backlit shelving display.
• Paint Bunnings MDF panels with Kmart craft paints for a coordinated look.

Where can I find inspiration?

• YouTube and TikTok are full of Australian creators showing Bunnings-Kmart hybrid builds.
• Pinterest boards like “Bunnings Kmart hack” and “Affordable Aussie decor” offer step-by-step guides.

“A woman has transformed an unexpected item from Kmart and Bunnings into a gorgeous piece of furniture.”

— News.com.au article

The pattern: The “competition” between the two retailers is less about direct head-to-head and more about creative consumers who bridge the gap between materials and ready-made products.

What is the Bunnings Astin Sinclair range and how does it compete with Kmart?

Bunnings has not launched a dedicated furniture sub-brand like Astin Sinclair, based on verified information. Instead, its offering in the furniture-adjacent space comes through its storage, outdoor, and home improvement categories. Kmart’s home range directly competes in the budget furnishing space.

How do prices compare across categories?

The price table below highlights typical costs for common furniture items at each retailer.

The trade-off: Bunnings often wins for customisation and strength; Kmart wins for convenience and speed. Neither is universally cheaper — it depends on whether you value your time or your materials more.

Where can I find Kmart furniture nearby?

• Kmart operates over 200 stores across Australia, located in most major shopping centres (Kmart store finder).
• Online delivery is available for furniture items via the Kmart website (Kmart Home).
• Kmart also has clearance outlets in select locations, offering discounts of up to 50% on discontinued homewares.

What this means: For anyone living near a Kmart, picking up ready-made furniture is a same-day option. Bunnings requires more planning but offers greater flexibility.

Are there Bunnings furniture clearance sales and how do they compare to Kmart?

• Bunnings runs clearance events on discontinued or excess stock, often in-store only (Bunnings clearance).
• Kmart clearance sales can offer up to 50% off, especially on seasonal homewares (Kmart clearance).
• Bunnings clearance tends to focus on hardware and outdoor items rather than indoor furniture, while Kmart’s clearance often includes furniture and décor.

The catch: If you are specifically looking for furniture clearance, Kmart has the edge. Bunnings is better for project materials on sale.

For more tips on flat-pack furniture assembly, see our IKEA Display Cabinet Guide.

For those tackling DIY projects, choosing the right materials can make all the difference, and double-sided tape from Bunnings and Kmart offers a practical example of how both stores compete on everyday essentials.

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