It’s not every day that you stumble upon a secret that can change the way you navigate the aisles of one of the country’s most popular hardware stores. But that’s exactly what happened when a tradie took to social media to reveal a little-known fact about Bunnings Warehouse that has left customers and even long-time staff members in awe.
Paige Mill’s social media clip, which has racked up an impressive 325,000+ views, begins with a bold statement: ‘This is gonna blow your mind, okay?’ She recounts her conversation with a Bunnings employee who shared the insider knowledge that even some veterans of the store weren’t aware of.
The revelation? The aisles at Bunnings are organised in a way that mirrors the process of building a house. This ingenious layout strategy has been hiding in plain sight, and it’s blowing the minds of DIY enthusiasts and professional builders alike.
As you walk through the store, you’ll start with timber, then move on to plumbing, flooring, electrical, and paint, before ending up in landscaping. It’s a logical sequence that reflects the typical stages of constructing a home. And right at the heart of it all? The tool shop is conveniently placed for easy access.
@bikerbiddie #bunningswarehouse ♬ original sound – Paige Mills
The response to this revelation has been one of collective astonishment. Social media commenters and Bunnings employees have confirmed the strategy, with one employee stating, ‘This is true! I learnt this during a Bunnings training I did.’
Another, with eight years of experience, confirmed, ‘This is how they have it set out. If you’re looking at the front of the store from left to right, it’s the order in which you’d build a house.’
‘This is true and also depends on the sun because of the nursery. Hence, you’ll find some stores with the layout flipped,’ claimed someone else.
Yet, some staff members were just as surprised as the customers, with one admitting, ‘I’ve worked there for nearly five years and did not know this.’
‘[I] worked there for ten years and they don’t even teach this in orientation. It’s “Here’s the map memorise it”,’ echoed another.
‘Not so useful for us that have never built a house,’ joked a different commenter.
In light of the buzz generated by the video, Bunnings Director of Stores Rod Caust weighed in to provide some clarity on the store’s layout.
He emphasised that while the arrangement might seem to follow the construction process, the primary goal is to create a natural flow that ‘makes shopping as straightforward and convenient as possible.’
This flow is evident in how the store is organised, from bulk building products in the drive-through timber yard to smaller building materials, tools, decorating supplies, outdoor living essentials, and the nursery.
Bunnings also strategically groups related areas, such as plumbing leading into bathroom and kitchen supplies, and electrical into lighting.
However, there are exceptions to the rule, like the central location of paint, which is a staple for a multitude of projects. This thoughtful layout ensures that whether you’re embarking on a major build or a weekend DIY project, you’ll find navigating Bunnings a breeze.
The next time you visit Bunnings, take a moment to observe the thoughtfully designed layout. It’s not only about finding what you need; it’s also about experiencing the journey of building a home, aisle by aisle.
Have you noticed this clever layout during your trips to Bunnings? Or do you have any other little-known shopping secrets or discoveries to share? Drop us a comment below and join the conversation.
Also read: Accessibility meets style: Bunnings launches its new product range
