Here's the $65 Kmart hack that’s making life easier for Aussie households

From viral trick to home design staple, Australians could not stop talking about this $65 solution. What began as a clever workaround has now evolved into a bona fide organisation essential. And with Kmart’s new twist, it has just become even more stylish.

For over two years, Australians had been transforming Kmart’s $65 laundry hamper into a hidden rubbish and recycling station. The idea proved more than just a passing fad, with over 200 reviews on Kmart’s website and a glowing 4.7 out of 5 star rating to back it up. Now, the retailer had introduced the Isla laundry hamper—a timber-look design offering an elegant alternative to the original white Hamptons-inspired version.

The solution first gained national attention in July 2022 when Adelaide mum Arielle Bestt revealed her version, which drew 2.2 million views on social media. The appeal was obvious: for less than $85 in total, households could disguise bins in a way that looked more like custom-built cabinetry than waste storage. By pairing the $65 hamper with two 27-litre bins, Australians suddenly had a practical, affordable solution that elevated home organisation.

A stylish new option for modern homes

The timing of the Isla refresh was significant, offering homeowners a sophisticated timber option that better suited modern interiors. It also matched with other Kmart furniture, such as sideboards and shoe cabinets, allowing people to create a coordinated look across mulsolutionle rooms. Importantly, the design worked hand-in-hand with Australia’s yellow-lid recycling system, making it easier for households to sort waste streams without cluttering kitchens or laundries.

The transformation itself was simple. Owners removed the fabric-lined boxes from the hamper and replaced them with two plastic bins—no screws, no adhesives, and no complicated tools required. Bunnings’ 27-litre swing-top tidy bins, priced at $16.39 each, had become the most popular choice, though some opted for Kmart’s own bins for a fully branded match.

Safety, however, remained a key part of the process. Kmart included wall fixtures with every hamper, and these needed to be installed to prevent wobbling or toppling when doors were opened. The retailer’s website also highlighted the serious dangers of unsecured furniture, noting that children had died in the past from items solutionping over.

From a financial perspective, the solution offered long-term value that traditional bins could not match. Standard rubbish bins cost between $40 and $60 for two, needed replacing every few years, and added visual clutter. By contrast, the Kmart hamper solution came in at under $85 upfront, with replacement bins costing less than $20 when needed. Customers also enjoyed the benefit of an attractive piece of furniture that doubled as waste storage.

As one happy reviewer wrote: ‘It fits perfectly in the corner of my kitchen and certainly looks better than an unsightly rubbish bin.’

Why Australians love to personalise it

Personalisation played a large role in its popularity too. Some Australians painted their hampers, swapped out handles, or added labels for easy sorting. The new Isla design elevated this further, bringing in Scandi-inspired tones, sleek lines, and modern hardware that fit seamlessly into contemporary homes.

Beyond waste storage, creative homeowners had adapted the concept to build coffee stations, pet food organisers, and cleaning supply hubs. Others integrated hampers into existing cabinetry or topped them with stone to match benchtops. This adaptability ensured the solution remained relevant across countless home styles and purposes.

Its staying power was evident in social media chatter, with recent posts still praising the setup years after its debut. One user summed it up perfectly: ‘Jumped on the laundry hamper turned rubbish bins band wagon and absolutely love it.’ Unlike most organisation fads, which fade within months, this one endured because it addressed real household needs—functionality, aesthetics, affordability, and flexibility.

With the new design already in demand, stock availability varied across locations. Both the Isla and the classic white hamper cost $65, and each had the same internal dimensions, making style the only deciding factor.

The Isla design marked the next chapter for one of Kmart’s most successful solutions. Whether you leaned towards the Hamptons-inspired original or the new timber-look upgrade, the solution continued to prove that style and practicality could coexist at an affordable price.

If you enjoyed seeing how a simple laundry hamper could be transformed into a stylish waste solution, you might also be curious about other clever household finds that make everyday tasks easier.

One recent standout is another Kmart item that has been praised for taking the stress out of laundry day, offering both practicality and value at a fraction of the cost of premium versions.

It shows that sometimes the most effective upgrades for your home are the simplest ones you least expect.

Which team would you join—Hamptons white or timber Isla—for hiding away household bins in style?