Stop what you are doing. Seriously. Put down the expensive decor catalog and step away from that online shopping cart loaded with three-hundred-dollar vases. We need to talk.
There is a massive misconception out there that having a home that looks expensive, curated, and cozy requires taking out a second mortgage. That is an absolute lie. Some of my absolute favorite, most complimented pieces in my home didn’t come from a high-end boutique. They came from the fluorescent-lit aisles of the Dollar Tree, and they cost me a buck.
The other day, a friend walked into my living room, stopped dead in front of my coffee table, and asked, “Did you get that gold tiered tray at Pottery Barn? I’ve been eyeing the exact same one.” I almost choked on my coffee. I said, “That’s three pizza pans and two candlesticks from the dollar store crafted together.” Her jaw hit the floor.
That is the energy we are bringing today. We are taking humble, overlooked, sometimes downright ugly dollar store items and giving them a high-end glow-up. We are talking serious Pottery Barn vibes on a literal pocket-change budget. Get your glue guns ready, because we are about to bamboozle everyone who walks into your house.
Before You Start: The Crafter’s Toolkit
You can’t build a mansion without a hammer, and you can’t make high-end Dollar Tree hacks without a few basic staples. Before you run to the store, make sure your craft station is stocked.
The Essentials:
- A Good Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: Do not skimp here. High-temp glue is best for securing glass and metal.
- E6000 Industrial Adhesive: For things that absolutely, positively cannot fall apart (like tiered trays), this smelly stuff is non-negotiable. It takes longer to cure, but it’s permanent.
- Spray Paint: Matte black, metallic gold, and a textured stone/chalk finish are your best friends for transforming cheap plastic into luxury items.
- Sharp Scissors & X-Acto Knife: For precise cuts on paper and fabric.
- Rubbing Alcohol: Crucial prep step. Always wipe down glass or plastic before gluing or painting to remove greasy fingerprints; otherwise, nothing will stick.
1. The Gilded Edge: Gold-Rimmed Glass Hurricane Set
This is arguably the easiest project on this list with the highest return on investment. There is something chic about clean glass paired with a raw, imperfect gold edge. It screams luxury.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 3 Glass Cylinder Vases (get varying heights if available, or three of the same) Total: $3.75
Additional supplies:
- Liquid Gold Leaf (or an oil-based metallic gold marker for an easier, tidier finish)
- Small craft brush (if using liquid leaf)
- Rubbing alcohol and paper towel
- Total Estimated Cost: $8.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Whatever you do, do not skip cleaning the glass. Wipe the rims thoroughly with rubbing alcohol to ensure the gold adheres properly. Let them dry completely.
- If using liquid gold leaf, give the bottle a vigorous shake. Dip a small, fine-point craft brush into the gold.
- Carefully paint the very top rim of the glass cylinder. Don’t try to be perfect. The beauty of this look is a slightly organic, hand-painted feel. If your hand shakes a bit, it just adds character.
- If you want a thicker rim, slightly drag the brush down the outside edge a millimeter or two.
- If you chose the metallic marker route, simply trace the rim slowly. You may need two coats for full opacity.
- Let them cure fully according to the package directions before handling or adding water.
Time required: 20 minutes (plus drying time)
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: Similar gold-rimmed hurricanes retail for around $40-$60 each.
Styling suggestions: Group three of them together on a console table. Fill one with fairy lights, one with a pillar candle, and leave the tallest one empty for a sculptural look. They also look incredible running down the center of a dining table filled with fresh eucalyptus.
2. The Modern Minimalist: Faux Concrete Planters
Pottery Barn and West Elm are famous for those heavy, textured, cement-look planters that cost a fortune to ship because they weigh a ton. We are recreating that heavy, industrial-chic look using lightweight, cheap plastic.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 2-3 Plastic bowls, small trash cans, or serving bowls in interesting shapes. Look for simple silhouettes without prominent rims. Total: $2.50 – $3.75
Additional supplies:
- Stone texture spray paint (like Rust-Oleum Stone or Krylon Coarse Stone texture) in a grey or beige tone.
- Matte sealer spray (optional but recommended)
- Sandpaper (medium grit)
- Total Estimated Cost: $12.00 (The spray paint is the big expense here, but you’ll have leftovers).
Step-by-step instructions:
- Take your medium-grit sandpaper and rough up the outside of your shiny plastic containers. Plastic is slippery; the paint needs something to grip onto.
- Wipe off the sanding dust completely.
- Take them outside. Shake your stone spray paint can for at least a full minute. This paint is thick and needs serious mixing.
- Apply a light, even coat over the entire outside and just over the inner rim of the containers. Let it dry for 20 minutes.
- Apply a second coat. This is where the texture really starts to build up and look realistic.
- Once fully dry (give it 24 hours to be safe), hit it with a matte clear coat to lock in the gritty texture so it doesn’t flake off when you move it.
Time required: 1 hour active time (plus overnight drying)
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: Concrete indoor planters of this size usually run $30 – $70.
Styling suggestions: These scream “modern organic.” Fill them with faux succulents or a snake plant (DT sometimes has decent faux greenery). Stack a smaller one on top of a stack of coffee table books, and put a larger one on the floor next to a fireplace.
3. The Farmhouse Staple: Tiered Tray Organizer
This is the classic Dollar Tree hack that started it all. It looks impressive, holds a ton of stuff, and is incredibly sturdy if you use the right glue.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 2 Metal Pizza Pans (the silver ones in the kitchen aisle) Total: $2.50
- 2 Glass taper candle holders (usually found near the vases) Total: $2.50
Additional supplies:
- E6000 glue (Hot glue will not hold this long-term. Don’t risk it.)
- Spray paint of your choice (Matte black for modern farmhouse, distressed white for shabby chic, or metallic gold for glam).
- Total Estimated Cost: $10.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Clean everything with alcohol.
- Decide on your structure. Usually, it goes: pizza pan base -> candlestick -> second pizza pan -> second candlestick on top as a handle/finial.
- Apply a generous amount of E6000 to the bottom rim of one candlestick. Center it perfectly in the middle of one pizza pan. Press down hard.
- Apply glue to the top rim of that same candlestick. Place the center of the second pizza pan on top of it. Eyeball it from all angles to make sure it’s level.
- Glue the second candlestick upright in the center of the top pan to act as a handle.
- Let this cure for at least 24 hours. Do not touch it. Seriously.
- Once cured solid, take it outside and spray paint the entire thing in thin, even coats until covered.
Time required: 30 minutes active time (24 hours drying)
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: A metal two-tier stand at PB is easily $69.50 or more.
Styling suggestions: This is kitchen counter gold. Load it up with cute mugs, a small plant, and a sugar bowl. In the bathroom, use it for perfumes and rolled hand towels. It’s also perfect for a seasonal cocoa bar station.
4. The Cozy Library: Linen-Wrapped Designer Books
Neutral, fabric-bound books are a staple in designer styling. They add height, texture, and that “I own a dusty estate library” vibe. But buying “decorative books” is a waste of money when you can make them.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 3-4 Hardcover books. Check the book section; pick ones that are similar in size and thickness. Ignore the titles; we are covering them up. Total: $5.00
Additional supplies:
- Fabric: A cheap drop cloth from the hardware store is perfect for a linen look. Or use leftover neutral fabric scraps.
- Hot glue gun.
- Scissors.
- Jute twine (optional).
- Total Estimated Cost: $8.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Lay your fabric flat. Open a book and lay it open on the fabric.
- Cut the fabric around the book, leaving about a 2-inch border on all sides.
- Wrap the fabric around the front cover, spine, and back cover.
- Open the front cover. Fold the fabric corners in like you’re wrapping a present, pull taut, and hot glue the flaps to the inside of the cover. Repeat on the back cover.
- For the spine ends, tuck the fabric neatly into the gap between the spine and the book block and secure with a tiny dot of glue.
- Repeat for all books. Stack them up and tie the bundle together with jute twine for extra texture.
Time required: 45 minutes
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: A stack of three “curated faux books” can cost upwards of $50.
Styling suggestions: Stack them horizontally on a coffee table with a small object on top (like your new faux concrete planter or a magnifying glass). Stand them vertically on a bookshelf sandwiched between heavy bookends.
5. The Boho Accent: Wood Bead Garland
A long strand of chunky wood beads draped casually over a bowl or pile of books is the ultimate boho-chic accessory.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- check the craft aisle for packs of wooden beads. You will likely need 4-5 packs to get a good length and varying sizes. Sometimes they have pre-strung shorter garlands you can cannibalize. Total: $6.25
Additional supplies:
- Jute twine or thick cotton string.
- Scissors.
- A large darning needle (helpful but not essential if your twine is stiff).
- Total Estimated Cost: $8.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Cut a piece of twine about 4 feet long (or however long you want your garland, plus extra for tying).
- Tie a thick, chunky knot at one end, leaving about 4 inches of tail.
- Start threading your beads. The best look comes from a random pattern—two big ones, one small one, three medium ones, etc. Don’t make it perfect.
- Keep stringing until you have about 6 inches of twine left at the end.
- Tie another large, tight knot up against the last bead to secure everything.
- To make tassels for the ends: Wrap more twine around the palm of your hand about 20 times. Slip it off, tie a piece of twine tightly around one end to create the “head” of the tassel, and cut the loops at the other end. Tie these tassels onto the tails of your garland knots.
Time required: 40 minutes
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: Wooden bead garlands at high-end stores run about $35.
Styling suggestions: Drape it spilling out of a wooden bowl on the dining table. Loop it around the neck of a large demijohn vase. Lay it across the books on your coffee table. It adds immediate soft texture.
6. The Faux Marble: Chic Serving Tray
Marble is timeless, expensive, and heavy. Marble contact paper is cheap, lightweight, and convincing if applied correctly.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 1 Silver or clear plastic serving platter (look in the party section for large rectangular or round ones with simple edges). Total: $1.25
- (Optional) 2 silver drawer pulls from the hardware section if you want handles. Total: $2.50
Additional supplies:
- Marble adhesive vinyl/contact paper (You can sometimes find small rolls at DT, but a wider roll from Walmart or Amazon works better for larger trays).
- X-Acto knife.
- Squeegee or credit card.
- E6000 glue (if adding handles).
- Total Estimated Cost: $7.00 – $10.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Clean the plastic tray thoroughly.
- Cut a piece of marble contact paper slightly larger than your tray.
- Peel back a couple of inches of the backing paper. Stick this edge to one side of the tray’s surface.
- Slowly—very slowly—peel back the rest of the backing while simultaneously using your squeegee/credit card to press the vinyl down, pushing air bubbles out towards the edges as you go. Go slow to avoid wrinkles.
- Once the surface is covered, use your X-Acto knife to carefully trim the excess vinyl right along the edge of the tray for a clean finish.
- If adding handles, use E6000 to glue the metal drawer pulls to the shorter sides of the tray. Let cure for 24 hours.
Time required: 30 minutes
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: Real marble trays start at around $80.
Styling suggestions: Use it on your coffee table to corral remotes and coasters. Place it on a bathroom vanity to hold perfumes and jewelry. It also makes a great base for a bar cart vignette.
7. The Elegant Lift: Farmhouse Pedestal Bowls
Elevating everyday items makes them look special. These pedestal bowls are fantastic for adding height to a counter display or vignette.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 1 Clear glass bowl (look for one with a nice pattern or a simple, clean edge in the dishware aisle). Total: $1.25
- 1 Glass taper candle holder. Total: $1.25
Additional supplies:
- E6000 glue.
- Spray paint (Matte white or a ceramic-look cream is lovely here).
- Total Estimated Cost: $6.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Clean the bottom of the bowl and the top rim of the candlestick with alcohol.
- Apply E6000 to the top rim of the candlestick.
- Center the bowl on top of the candlestick. Turn it upside down to check that it’s perfectly centered.
- Let it cure for 24 hours.
- Take it outside, turn it upside down, and spray paint the pedestal base and the underside of the bowl first. Let dry.
- Flip it right side up and spray the inside and rims. You may need 3 light coats for glass to look like solid ceramic.
Time required: 20 minutes active time (24 hours drying)
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: Ceramic pedestal bowls are usually in the $40 – $60 range.
Styling suggestions: Fill it with lemons or artichokes on a kitchen island. Use it by the sink to hold dish sponges and scrubbers in a cute way. Put it on a foyer table as a catch-all for keys.
8. The Graphic Statement: Felt Letter Board
While Dollar Tree sometimes sells tiny plastic letter boards now, they look a bit cheap. We are making a larger, textured, higher-end version using felt.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 1 Foam core board (in the school supply section). Total: $1.25
- 1 Picture frame large enough for your foam board (or cut the board to fit a frame you have). Total: $1.25
- Pack of plastic thumbtacks OR store-bought plastic letters if you have them.
Additional supplies:
- Black felt fabric (about half a yard from a craft store, or check DT automotive section for dark trunk liner felt).
- Hot glue gun.
- Ruler and pencil.
- X-Acto knife.
- Total Estimated Cost: $8.00
Step-by-step instructions:
- Cut your foam board to fit tightly inside your chosen frame. Discard the frame’s glass.
- Cut your black felt into strips. The width of the strips depends on the size of letters you want to use, but 1 inch is a good standard. You need a lot of strips.
- Starting at the top of the foam board, hot glue the first strip flat across.
- For the next strip, apply glue only to the very top edge of the felt strip. Place it on the board so it slightly overlaps the bottom of the first strip, but leaves the bottom edge loose. This loose flap is where you will tuck the letters in.
- Repeat this overlapping process all the way down the board, keeping the lines straight. It’s tedious but worth it.
- Once covered, pop the board into the frame.
- Use white thumbtacks to create words, or if you used a looser felt, push in standard plastic letters.
Time required: 1.5 hours (lots of cutting and gluing strips)
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: Large felt letter boards can range from $30 to $50.
Styling suggestions: Lean it on a mantel with a seasonal quote. Hang it in the kitchen for a weekly menu. Put it in a guest room with the Wi-Fi password.
9. The Gallery Wall Hack: Floating Botanical Prints
The “floating frame” look, where art seems suspended between two sheets of glass, is very high-end. We can fake it easily.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- 4-6 matching frames (black or gold plastic frames work well). Total: $5.00 – $7.50
Additional supplies:
- Free botanical printables online (search “public domain botanical illustrations”).
- Printer and paper.
- Hot glue or strong double-sided tape.
- Total Estimated Cost: $7.50 (assuming you have a printer)
Step-by-step instructions:
- Take apart all the frames. Throw away the cardboard backing and the stock art paper. Keep the frames and the glass.
- Clean the glass on both sides flawlessly.
- Print out your chosen botanical images. They should be significantly smaller than the frame size to create the “floating” effect. Cut them out neatly.
- Center a botanical print face-up on one piece of glass. Use a tiny dab of hot glue or double-sided tape hidden behind the darkest part of the image to secure it to the glass so it doesn’t slide.
- The Hack: Since DT frames only come with one piece of glass, you have two options for the “float.” You can buy double the frames and sandwich two pieces of glass together. OR, simply place the single piece of glass with the art attached back into the frame, and secure it with a tiny bead of hot glue in the back corners of the frame frame, leaving the wall visible behind it when hung. The double glass method looks more authentic.
- Hang them in a tight grid pattern on the wall.
Time required: 1 hour
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: A set of 4 framed botanical prints can easily cost $150+.
Styling suggestions: A grid of 4 or 6 looks amazing over a sofa or up a staircase wall. Stick to a theme—all ferns, or all vintage floral sketches—for a cohesive look.
10. The Vintage Glamour: Faux Mercury Glass Votives
Real mercury glass is antique silvered glass that has aged and spotted over time. It glows beautifully with a candle inside. We can fake this expensive antique look with ugly clear glass and some chemistry.
Dollar Tree items needed:
- Assorted clear glass candle holders, small vases, or jars. Variety is good here. Total: $5.00 for a good cluster.
Additional supplies:
- Krylon Looking Glass silver spray paint (Must be this specific mirrored paint).
- A spray bottle filled with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar.
- Paper towels.
- Total Estimated Cost: $12.00 (The specialty paint is pricy but lasts for many projects).
Step-by-step instructions:
- Clean the glass thoroughly. Work outside.
- Set your glass items upside down on a drop cloth.
- Lightly mist the glass with the vinegar/water solution. You want little droplets sitting on the surface, not streams running down.
- Immediately spray a light coat of the Looking Glass paint over the water droplets.
- Let it sit for about 2 minutes. The paint will start to dry around the water spots.
- Gently blot the wet spots with a crumpled paper towel. The paint over the water will lift off, leaving clear “aged” spots amid the silver mirroring.
- Repeat the misting, painting, and blotting process 2-3 times until you get the desired depth and antique look. Let dry completely.
Time required: 45 minutes
‘The Pottery Barn Look-Alike’ comparison: A set of mercury glass votives can run $40-$80 depending on size.
Styling suggestions: These look best in a large cluster on a dining table or mantel. Mix different heights and shapes. When lit with real or LED tea lights, they cast a warm, dappled, romantic glow.
Pro Tips for Dollar Tree Crafting Success
Shopping at the Dollar Tree for craft supplies is an extreme sport. It requires strategy.
- The Treasure Hunt Mentality: Inventory is wildly inconsistent. One store might have a goldmine of wooden beads, while another has nothing. If you see an item you think you might need for a future project, buy it immediately. It will not be there next week.
- Quality Control is on You: Before you check out with glassware or ceramics, run your fingers over every rim. Check for chips, cracks, and painful seams. Don’t buy damaged goods just because they are a dollar.
- Look Beyond the Intended Use: Never look at an item for what it is; look at it for its shape and material. A brightly colored plastic serving platter is hideous. A silver platter of that exact same shape is a potential faux-marble tray. A garish ceramic rooster is terrible; a matte white ceramic rooster is “farmhouse chic.” Paint changes everything.
- The Craft Aisle isn’t the Only Aisle: The hardware section has twine and clamps. The automotive section has microfiber cloths and sometimes spray paint. The party section has great plastic shapes. Shop the whole store.
Conclusion
I hope your brain is buzzing with ideas right now. I hope you’re looking around your house and realizing that a high-end aesthetic doesn’t have to come with a high-end price tag. It just takes a little bit of vision, a little bit of paint, and a willingness to get glue on your fingers.
Go hit up your local Dollar Tree, grab an armful of potential, and start creating. And please, when you finish your Potter Barn dupe, tag me in the photo. I absolutely live to see what you guys create. Now go make something awesome for a dollar!
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