Additional Coverage:
- 9 Items Designers Always Buy at Dollar Tree When They Spot Them (financebuzz.com)
Transform Your Home on a Dime: Designers Spill Dollar Tree Secrets!
Ever scroll through social media and wonder how everyone achieves those perfectly curated, magazine-worthy living spaces without spending a fortune? You’re not alone!
Many of us assume high style comes with a high price tag. But here’s a little secret many designers won’t always tell you: some of the most expensive-looking decor items actually come from your local Dollar Tree!
That’s right! Several design pros are regularly hitting up Dollar Tree, proving you can score stylish, versatile pieces and save big bucks in the process.
If you’re ready to give your home a refresh without breaking the bank, we’ve gathered nine insider tips straight from the experts on their favorite Dollar Tree finds and how you can use them to elevate your own space.
1. Ribbed Glass Tealight Holders
Annemarie Schumacher, Founder of Make Every Day an Event, has a talent for spotting luxury looks at bargain prices. When it comes to Dollar Tree, she has a clear favorite.
“I particularly shop Dollar Tree for their glass candle and votive holders. They are the bomb!”
Schumacher exclaims. She points out that these ribbed glass votive holders, for instance, evoke the elegance of Baccarat’s Harmonie pattern—for a mere fraction of the cost.
“You can group them in threes on your tablescape or line them down the center of your table. And at such a reasonable price, you can afford to buy a dozen or two to truly create an elegant impact!”
2. Holiday Plates
The holidays always bring a flurry of activity to Dollar Tree, with shoppers snapping up DIY supplies. But Schumacher suggests keeping an eye out for something a little more refined: their festive dinnerware.
“For the holiday and winter season, I adore the Royal Norfolk plates,” she shares. “At 10.5 inches, they’re just slightly smaller than a traditional dinner plate, making them perfect for layering on top of white dinnerware for that cozy, Pottery Barn-style look. Add some evergreen and berry branches, and you’ve instantly got a sophisticated table your guests will rave about.”
3. Clear Glass Cylinder Vases
If you’re looking to give your dining table an elegant, upscale feel for a special event, Joseph Naulls, head designer at Hotel Santa Fe, recommends stocking up on Dollar Tree’s clear glass vases.
“I’m always on the hunt for basics at Dollar Tree that appear far more expensive than they are,” Naulls says. “These clear glass cylinder vases are ideal for decorating tables seating anywhere from 10 to 15 people.
I often fill them with fragrant flowers like lilies and magnolias, along with plenty of greenery, to give the illusion of a much grander arrangement.” He also reveals a clever trick: “Sometimes I’ll mask off parts of the vase with tape and spray the rest in gold before removing the tape to create an even more luxurious, custom piece.”
Adding to this genius idea, Evgenia Ermolaeva, founder and interior designer of ED Interior, chimed in: “I use them as sculptural elements. I weigh them down with beans or rocks for stability, stick in one eucalyptus branch, and bam—it has that clean, pricey vibe.”
4. Matted Black Picture Frames
We’ve all been there: renovating a space on a tight budget, only to realize something is missing, and funds are low. For these moments, Dollar Tree can be a true lifesaver for decorative finds. Home remodeler and CEO of Shelf Expression, Ben Kuhl, knows this firsthand.
“We recently renovated our home and faced the challenge of filling an empty wall in the dining room. With little budget left for artwork before selling, we got creative.
We headed to Dollar Tree and bought a variety of photo frames in different sizes, then spray-painted them all in a brushed brass finish. After filling them with black-and-white family photos, we installed our new gallery wall.
The space immediately felt polished and inviting, quickly becoming the room’s standout feature.”
5. Assorted Woven Straw Baskets
Woven baskets are the ultimate versatile accessory for stairwells, shelves, tabletops, and even those awkward unused corners. Interior designer Courtney Cole of TileCloud suggests grabbing them at Dollar Tree to add instant appeal to your home while sticking to your budget.
“A basket for your extra bits and pieces keeps any room tidy, stopping clutter from creeping up on you—it happens more often than you think!” Cole advises. “I recommend placing a basket or two by the front door for shoes or beach towels, and in the living room for extra throws or pillows you want to keep within easy reach.”
6. Artificial Flowers and Bushes
A beautifully arranged floral centerpiece can instantly transform any room, bringing in color, texture, and dimension. However, this decor item often comes with a hefty price tag. Kendra Hagerman, owner of Kendra Found It, shares why Dollar Tree is her go-to secret for affordable flowers and floral accessories.
“When it comes to floral supplies, Dollar Tree is one of my favorite hidden gems,” Hagerman says. “Their selection of faux flowers, floral foam, wreath forms, and vases is surprisingly good—and everything is much more affordable than what you’d find at a craft store.
It’s my first stop for DIY arrangements without overspending. The quality is better than you’d expect at this price point, and because the cost is so low, you can experiment with different colors and textures until you achieve the exact look you love.”
7. Seasonal Pitchers and Jugs
Jill Deloris, CEO of Deveraux Art Designs, often works with clients seeking creative solutions for unused spaces in their homes. To meet this need, she regularly explores the aisles of Dollar Tree for one particular item.
“The majority of my clients are looking for unique ways to fill ‘dead spaces’ throughout the home—places like countertops in laundry rooms or bathrooms, or reception tables,” Deloris explains. “For these projects, I like to use seasonal collection pitchers and jugs.
I fill them with silk flowers, dried flowers, or even fresh flowers to create a unique focal point for these areas. What I love about Dollar Tree is the sheer variety of these jugs, so they can fit into any design style.”
8. Golden Decorative Mirrors
Mark Clay, a stager with Deveraux Art Designs, frequently works on large events such as receptions, banquets, and quinceañeras. While most people might assume he spends a fortune on decor, Mark has a little-known secret: he and his team rely on Dollar Tree for mirrors that instantly elevate a space.
“We are often asked for solutions to personalize faux walls or dividers,” Clay explains. “For this, we turn to Dollar Tree, and one of my favorite bulk items to buy are the Special Moments decorative mirrors.
Not only do they look more expensive than they are, but you can truly personalize them. Sometimes we leave them gold as-is; other times, we apply acrylic paint to the frame.
We’ve even removed the mirrors and replaced them with photographs provided by the client.”
9. Plastic Clear Organizers
Winnie Lai, a professional organizer in New York City specializing in space-saving solutions, confessed that she gave up shopping at pricier stores years ago in favor of Dollar Tree’s more affordable prices and abundant stock.
“I have single-handedly depleted the plastic organizing trays at my local Dollar Tree,” Lai admits. When asked why, she explained, “I bought so many because they are incredibly easy to incorporate into our clients’ designs. I use them to organize drawers, office desks, and pantries, and I also place them in cabinets and the refrigerator to section off space and create a more streamlined, organized look.”
The Bottom Line
From versatile plastic dividers to surprisingly realistic artificial flowers, there’s no shortage of designer-worthy gems waiting for you at Dollar Tree. Whether you’re decorating for yourself or stocking up for a larger project, Dollar Tree consistently delivers quality at incredibly affordable prices.
So go ahead, explore those aisles with a fresh perspective – your home (and your wallet!) will thank you.
Smart Money Tips for Everyone
Since we’re talking about clever ways to make your money go further, here are a few general financial strategies that can benefit anyone:
- Tackle Your Debt: Debt can be a major hurdle to financial progress. Beyond simply cutting expenses, explore tools like balance transfer credit cards or debt counseling to help you pay it off faster.
- Boost Your Income: If finances feel tight, earning some extra money can provide much-needed breathing room. A new job is one option, but if you’re not ready for a big change or are retired, a part-time side hustle could be a great choice.
- Trim Your Expenses: While it might sound daunting, cutting expenses doesn’t have to be painful. Start by reviewing your biggest bills, as that’s often where you’ll find the most significant savings.
For example, auto insurance rates have been climbing, so shopping around for a new insurance provider could be the quickest way to reduce that cost. And if you have a vacation on the horizon, finding the right travel credit card could help offset some of those travel costs.
Read More About This Story:
- 9 Items Designers Always Buy at Dollar Tree When They Spot Them (financebuzz.com)