A budget-friendly idea turned this mum’s bedroom disaster into a success story

When furniture gets damaged, many of us face the same dilemma: spend hundreds on professional repairs or thousands on a replacement. But sometimes the most brilliant solutions come from the most unexpected places—like the tablecloth aisle at Kmart.

When life gives you water damage, make a design statement

Brisbane resident Alex Casa Lawson found herself staring at an unsightly, water-damaged grey bed frame, contemplating her options.

Instead of reaching for her wallet to buy a new bed, she reached for two striped tablecloths from Kmart, costing just $34 total.

The result? A complete bedroom transformation that's taken social media by storm.

Lawson’s approach taps into a broader idea that’s been gaining momentum among Australian DIY enthusiasts.

Using Kmart tablecloths for furniture makeovers has become increasingly popular since at least 2020.

Her bed restoration project stands out for its ambition and stunning results.

‘This is my best DIY ever,’ Lawson said in her video. ‘After some water damage our bed unfortunately had some staining like this, so I decided to use a tablecloth from Kmart to give it a glow up.’

Each red and pink striped tablecloth measured 3.25 metres long by 1.50 metres wide.

That provided ample fabric to completely reupholster the entire bed frame. The generous dimensions meant she had enough material to properly wrap each component while leaving sufficient fabric for secure stapling.

The transformation process revealed

The technique requires basic tools—primarily a staple gun and sharp fabric scissors.

Lawson’s methodical approach of cutting fabric pieces to match each bed component, then stapling them securely, transforms what could be an intimidating project into manageable steps.

Simple tools like a staple gun and scissors make this project easy to tackle at home. Image Source: TikTok / casalawson.

For the headboard, she added an extra touch of professionalism by including wadding beneath the tablecloth fabric.

This creates a plush, upholstered feel that rivals expensive custom work.

Adding wadding beneath the fabric gives the headboard a soft, upholstered finish that looks professionally made. Image Source: TikTok / casalawson

Lawson wrote in her caption: ‘Can you believe this is two Kmart table cloths costing only $34 that have given this bed a completely new lease of life?’

‘I’m so pleased with how this turned out—it’s my favourite project in a long time.’

Why this resonates with Australians

The appeal extends beyond the obvious cost savings.

Similar Kmart tablecloth furniture projects have been popular for years, with some costing as little as $5.50.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, finding ways to refresh rather than replace furniture simply makes good sense.

Professional reupholstery can vary widely in cost, depending on the bed size and fabric choices.

Lawson’s solution delivered similar visual impact for under $40—a saving that’s particularly meaningful for families and retirees managing household budgets carefully.

The ripple effect of creativity

Viewers flooded the comments to praise the clever idea.

One wrote, ‘Brilliant, I’m on my way to find the tablecloth now.’

Another said, ‘Amazing—doing this to my daughter’s bed,’ while a third added, ‘I’ve been wanting to change the colour of my bed but don’t really wanna get a new one, so this is genius.’

The approach has inspired other furniture makeovers too.

Australians continue sharing tablecloth furniture transformations, creating matching home-decor sets and styling affordable finds.

Lawson’s project has become part of a sustained movement toward creative, budget-conscious home improvement.

Expanding the possibilities

While Lawson focused on her bed, the same technique works brilliantly for dining chairs, ottomans, and bench seats.

The key is selecting tablecloths with appropriate dimensions and durability for furniture use.

Kmart’s continued focus on affordable home trends means regular new tablecloth designs and patterns, giving DIY enthusiasts fresh options for their projects. From geometric prints to floral designs, there’s usually something to suit every decorating style.

Making it work for you

Consider your furniture’s condition before starting. This technique works best on structurally sound pieces needing only cosmetic improvement.

Water stains, scratches, and fading can be effectively hidden, but loose joints or broken components should be repaired first.

Choose tablecloth materials thoughtfully. While Kmart’s standard tablecloths work well for occasional-use furniture, high-traffic pieces benefit from more durable fabrics.

The striped pattern Lawson selected cleverly disguises any minor imperfections in her amateur upholstery work.

The broader lesson

Lawson’s success illustrates how creative problem-solving can turn household setbacks into design opportunities.

Rather than viewing her water-damaged bed as a costly problem, she saw potential for transformation.

This mindset—looking for unconventional solutions and repurposing everyday items—resonates particularly well in current economic times.

Her project proves that style and functionality don’t require substantial investment, just imagination and effort.

Whether you’re dealing with damaged furniture or simply wanting a change, sometimes the perfect solution is hiding in plain sight—perhaps even in the homewares section of your local Kmart.

Read next: Turn your tired furniture into treasures with this $18 Bunnings hack

Key Takeaways

• Brisbane resident Alex Casa Lawson transformed her water-damaged bed using two striped Kmart tablecloths costing just $34 in total.
• Each tablecloth measured 3.25 metres by 1.50 metres, providing enough material to reupholster the entire bed frame, including the headboard.
• Lawson used basic tools—a staple gun, scissors, and wadding—to give the bed a professional upholstered finish for a fraction of the usual reupholstery cost.
• Her clever idea has inspired others to try affordable furniture makeovers, showing how creativity and resourcefulness can refresh a home without overspending.

Have you tried any creative furniture makeovers using unexpected materials? We’d love to hear about your budget-friendly home transformation successes in the comments below.