A Melbourne mother has ignited a homewares shopping frenzy after sharing her latest affordable bedroom find from Kmart on social media. Mother-of-one Mel Saarinen decided to upgrade her sleeping space by sourcing a trendy, practical, and budget-friendly bedside table, ultimately discovering what she calls her "best Kmart purchase ever."
The Search for the Perfect Bedside Table
In a video posted to her TikTok account @melsaaarinen, Mel explained her long-standing struggle to find suitable bedside tables. Her previous all-white unit with open shelving was plagued by functional issues, easily accumulating dirt, stains, and dust. "I have desperately been needing some new bedside tables for so long, but I just could not find the right thing," she revealed in the clip.
A Stunning and Practical Replacement
Her solution was the Claire Bedside Table from Kmart, priced at just $65. After installing it, she declared the piece "stunning," highlighting its ultra-modern design featuring a travertine-look beige top paired with walnut-look ribbed side panels. The table includes a handy drawer, making it both practical and on-trend. "This walnut colour, I'm loving at the moment," Mel exclaimed, noting how the travertine benchtop complemented her padded bedhead and white lamp. "It just all works," she said, adding a definite "chef's kiss" to the result.
Compact Design and Colour Options
The space-saving design measures 55cm in height, 48cm in width, and 35cm in depth, making it ideal for small rooms. In addition to the walnut-effect shade Mel chose, the unit is available in an oak-effect finish and a black version stocked exclusively online.
Social Media Reaction and Retailer Insights
Mel's video quickly garnered thousands of likes and comments, with users expressing admiration and disbelief. Comments ranged from "Obsessed" and "I love it. Looks amazing" to "Way better! It elevates the room." Many were shocked that such a chic piece came from a budget retailer, with responses like "Stunning!!!!! From Kmart?!?" and "Looks incredible and expensive."
Kmart Australia buyer Nicholas Holmes told Daily Mail that the Claire Bedside Table is a highlight of their newly released Living collection, describing it as "serving up chic wooden curves for the bedroom." He explained that walnut-look furniture is currently popular in homewares, pairing well with lighter seasonal colours such as bright blues, green tones, and pops of chrome.
Stock Availability Challenges
The only downside? The viral reviews have led to high demand, with many shoppers reporting the walnut version as "out of stock" in stores. However, the oak-effect and black colourways remain available online, and the lighter shade is still in stock at most physical locations.
Mel regularly shares beauty, fashion, home, and lifestyle content on her social media accounts, continuing to influence trends with her affordable finds.
