How the humble chopping board became the latest must-have style statement

Sometimes a trend takes off virtually overnight. Add in social media, and a new must-have item might sell out virtually overnight.

But the latest must-have item has caught many by surprise because it is not a piece of home decor, cute outfit or Korean beauty treatment, but an item used every day in Aussie kitchens.

In recent years, the humble chopping board has gone from a fairly unattractive but much-needed kitchen necessity that was usually hidden away in cupboards after use to a sought-after home accessory in its own right.

This is largely thanks to interior stylists and influencers – like Brisbane-based Dina Santos – who love to show off the way they style the boards.

Santos’ budget-friendly home and fashion tips often include at least one chopping board from Kmart, and while the retailer’s range of timber boards has long been a hit with customers and stylists alike, it’s a new release that’s really caused a frenzy.

The Arch Chopping Board has been a surprise hit with shoppers looking to update their kitchen since it hit stores this month as part of the latest home collection range.

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The $20 board comes in four distinctive colours and patterns; white and pink, brown, confetti, and white and black.

All four give the appearance of either a marble or terrazzo finish, but they are made from UPE − a type of polyethylene, also known as UHMWPE.

According to the product’s specifications, the material is BPA-free and dishwasher safe, making then simple to clean and suitable for everyday use.

The boards come with a unique arched design but also feature a cutout to make them easier to handle, hang and store.

They are also lightweight, making them a great alternative for children or anyone who has mobility issues or problems with their hands or fingers, compared with much heavier wooden chopping boards.

The boards have caused quite a stir on social media.

Sydney-based Instagram user Zara Home Edit said she was “obsessed with the warm tone and arch detail” of the brown board.

She used hers to style her kitchen bench and said she would also likely use it as a serving tray or decorative piece as “it’s too pretty to hide away”.

Another Instagram user, Home with Tas, was also celebrating after she “finally got my hands on the viral arched chopping board”, also in brown.

While another user, Content with Bianca, said she raced to her local Kmart store to check out the chopping boards after “seeing them all over my feed”.

She, too, was a fan of the brown but also liked the confetti design.

The chopping board is a dupe of the Sansi chopping board that retails for $129.

Kmart is not the first to sell a lower-cost version of the item.

Aldi released its own colourful arched chopping board earlier this year as part of a Special Buys promotion.

That version, which was produced by Crofton, the private label owned Aldi, retailed for $24.99 but sold out quickly.

In good news, they may make a return soon.

An Aldi spokesperson told nine.com.au shoppers should keep an eye on the Special Buys aisles.

“We love seeing shoppers get excited about our Special Buys and our popular Crofton chopping boards were definitely a hit when they were on shelves,” the spokesperson said.

“While ALDI’s Special Buys are usually available for a limited time only, customer favourites like these do sometimes make their way back so it might be worth keeping an eye out.”

Another Kmart chopping board that is currently flying off the shelves is the new walnut-look board, which has been getting a huge following on social media.

A Kmart spokesperson told nine.com.au, “We’ve loved seeing how popular the new viral Arch Chopping Boards have been with our customers.

“The super fun and bold on-trend colourways are undoubtedly the appeal for this product, but the built-in ring is as clever as it is aesthetic because it doubles as a loop for carrying and hanging for convenient kitchen organisation.”