From stationary to kitchen items to cleaning supplies — no matter what it is, chances are that you can find it at your local Dollar Tree.
Aside from these useful household items, the Dollar Tree is also a crafter’s paradise thanks to its availability of cheap crafting materials. However, sometimes the best craft ideas don’t involve conventional supplies, but instead everyday items. In this article, we will show some of the best crafts that can be completed using only materials from your local dollar store.
Head’s up: once you realize the magic of doing DIY on a dollar store budget, you will begin to realize that it is possible to transform other crafts that call for expensive materials into a Dollar Tree budget! The possibilities are really endless.
General Supplies Needed
Before we begin, you will want to ensure that you have the proper supplies to pull off a craft. While these will vary depending on the particular craft, for the most part you will want to make sure that you have the following on hand:
- Glue (liquid glue, glue stick, and glue gun)
- Tape (masking and scotch)
- Scissors
- Construction paper
- Acrylic paint
- Twine
- Decorative ribbon
- Ruler
18 Great Dollar Tree Craft Ideas
Floral Monogram
If you spend any time in local artisanal stores, you may have noticed that giant monograms have been quite trendy lately. While many folks may choose to put the first letter of their first name on display, it could also be a great way to pay homage to your family’s last name by putting a letter on display in the living room or dining area. Get the idea from HomeyOhMy.
Imitation Succulents
Plants make a welcomed decorative addition to any interior space, but let’s face it — some of us just don’t have green thumbs, and can succeed in killing even succulents. The good thing about succulents, though, is that fake imitation versions are quite convincing — even when they come from the dollar store. See more at Little House of Flour.
Pom Pom Coaster
This simple idea from Inspired by Charm is genius! It combines two things that are readily available at most dollar stores to make a fun and vibrant coaster set. All it involves is gluing pom poms to basic coasters and voila — you have a masterpiece!
Laundry Basket Refresh
Thank goodness for the internet, because this is one of those ideas that we simply would have never thought of ourselves! This clever tutorial from The Spruce Crafts shows how you can create a high-end looking rope basket using an inexpensive basic basket as a base.
Salt and Pepper Flower Vases
Glass salt and pepper shakers are a very common thing to find at the Dollar Tree, and although you could certainly use them for their intended purposes if you think outside the box, you’re sure to uncover some other uses! For example, you could use them as flower holders, as seen here at Average But Inspired. Psst: these would make wonderful wedding centerpieces for couples on a budget!
DIY Tassels
Hanging tassels have emerged as one of the most popular design trends in recent years, finding a home in nurseries, children’s rooms, and beyond. However, anyone who is looking to purchase a decorative tassel hanging of their own may be surprised to find that the premade versions come at quite a pretty penny! Luckily, you can make your own from dollar store materials by following this guide from Pizzazzerie.
Travel Tic Tac Toe
We love this idea because not only does it use materials that cost so little they can be found at the dollar store, but it also features environmentally-friendly upcycling since it finds a new use for a discarded item. Plus, a miniature travel game is a great way to ward off boredom on a long car trip. Get the details here.
Rope Towel Holder
We have talked a lot about ways to spruce up your bathroom, which tends to be one of the most neglected areas of the home, decoratively speaking. One way to make your bathroom stand out is by incorporating unique fixtures, and this rope towel holder is a way to do exactly that. Plus, you can make it using materials that can be found at the Dollar Tree!
Golden Frames
While it is possible to find many types of frames at your local dollar store, let’s face it —they aren’t always the most aesthetically pleasing. However, if you want to buy more high-end frames, they can come with double digit price tags, which can quickly add up! Luckily there are easy ways to add a touch of glitz and glam to an otherwise boring plastic Dollar Tree frame, as seen here at Lily Ardor.
Fruit Mason Jars
Mason jars are useful to holding dry goods and preservations, but they can also be a wonderful decorative item! This is especially true if you treat them to a touch of paint. We love this idea from HomeTalk that shows how you can add adorable fruit designs to mason jars to brighten up a room.
DIY Message Chalkboard
If you live in a busy household where everybody is always on the move, then you’re going to want a way to communicate with one another! Sure, we have our smartphones, but there is something about leaving physical messages that is much more personal. Learn how you can make a cute little chalkboard for your household at Re-Fabbed.
Plastic Bin Transformer
You know those standard plastic storage bins that you find in all discount stores or dollar stores? While they may not be easy on the eye, there is no denying that they certainly are useful. There is a way that you can make them both useful and decorative by applying a distressed look to the storage unit to make them more unique and to give them a rustic look. See how at Little House of Flour.
Frame Turned Terrarium
While terrariums can make a welcome homey addition to any space, they can be quite expensive! We love the way that this creative idea from Ella Claire and Co shows how it is possible to make your own terrarium out of plastic frames, of all things!
Glittery Tumbler
Have you seen those fancy tumblers at cafes and home good stores? They seem to come in all different kinds of colors and designs — enough variety to suit just about anybody’s tastes. The only problem is they tend to be quite expensive, and can cost upward of $25 or $30 per tumblr. The good news is that you can personalize your own tumbler for a fraction of the cost! Find out how at Studio DIY.
Decorative Cutting Boards
You can buy cutting boards at the dollar store, and while they may be functional, they are not always the best kind of quality. There is another use for cutting boards though, and that is turning them into decorations! Our personal favorite is the festive sign that can be made with ribbon and chalkboard paint. Find out more here.
Textured Plant Pot
If you are always looking for new ways to pot your favourite plants, then this craft is for you! It is possible to transform a boring plain glass or plastic pot into a trendy decorative planter using minimal supplies such as paint and stickers. This tutorial will show you how.
Simple Plastic Tray Turned Decoration
We love the way that this tray from Blessed and Creatively Obsessed looks like an expensive item you would buy on Etsy or in a homegoods store, but we love the fact that it is actually just made from dollar store materials! It’s amazing what a bit of creativity can do.
Farmhouse Sign
If you’re all about the farmhouse aesthetic, you’re not alone. It has exploded in popularity in recent years! While this means that many types of farmhouse decor are readily available, it also means that they often come at a pretty penny. You can always make your own decorative signs with Dollar Tree materials, though! Simple Made Pretty can show you how.
It may seem easy to write the Dollar Tree off as a source of cheaply-made and mass-produced items, but if you are willing to put in a little bit of creativity this couldn’t be further from the truth. If the perfect craft for you cannot be found on this list, maybe that just means that you need to create it yourself! The possibilities really are as bountiful as the items sold at the Dollar Tree.
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