Ever want to update some of your décor on even less than a shoestring budget without it looking that way? Well, think dollar stores and you can unearth a wealth of décor and craft ideas to score some fantastic, inexpensive pieces with minimal effort. And nobody needs to know they came from a dollar store!
Fabulous Florals
One not-so-hidden gem you can pick up at most dollar stores are faux flowers. Some stores literally have walls of them. Not all stems are created equal however, but it is easy to see the standouts if you look closely – think less obvious plastic leaves, realistic colored flowers and decent buds or grass accents. If you compare top dollar store stems with those at craft stores, you will see you can save a bundle.
Use the stems to make a beautiful seasonal arrangement on a kitchen table or pick out a few and attach to a grapevine wreath for your front door. You can also scatter stems for a quick and pretty tablescape or highlight just one to sit in a vase on an end table or shelf. Many dollar stores also sell floral molds, tape, wire and sheers so you can easily arrange (and re-arrange) your creations.
Sophisticated Containers
Dollar stores usually sell a big selection of glass containers and pretty woven baskets that you can either use standalone or jazz up with ribbon, paint, flowers and other embellishments. I have used craft paint to paint a simple metallic gold ring around the top of some clear glass carafes I found at my local dollar store. They now look like designer type pieces on my mantle. Who knew! Another idea is to find a nice dark colored basket to hold rolled up hand towels for a chic guest look in the powder room or a spa-like touch next to a bathtub.
Plates With Potential
Plates at the dollar store can be a big find since they have multipurpose uses. I have purchased many clear glass options and used them to serve candy and desserts (some are seriously heavy and crystal-like if you find the right ones). If you feel creative, a quick coat of paint can expand your horizons. A light coating in a pastel shade makes a nice jewelry dish in a bed or bathroom. Use bold seasonal colors to make a holiday candleholder or as a coffee table dish. You can even find porcelain looking numbers to use as wall hangings in the kitchen or for stand-up displays on top of cabinets and counters using easels (which the stores also usually sell!).
Other Odds and Ends
Lastly, don’t hesitate to look around and use your imagination to add to things you may already have in your home. Some dollar stores sell bags of sea glass, rocks and glass fillers, which I have used to fill wall sconces or give splashes of color in arrangements and empty vases I had lying around. You can also make all kinds of small accents. I recently turned a glass dollar store container into a very cool shelf piece or bookend by painting it white and gluing a favorite white shell on top. It made for some instant beach décor. The possibilities are endless!
