25 Thrifty Dollar Store Craft Ideas

The dollar store is a great place to get certain home essentials, but did you also know it's also great for DIYers? Crafters won't feel guilty about trying out new projects because the overall investment is usually so minimal.

When it comes to reusing items from the dollar store, you're only limited to your creativity. Do you need some inspiration to get started? These dollar store crafts utilize some commonly found items that look even better once repurposed.

01 of 25

Turn a Cookie Sheet Into an Organizer

The Crazy Craft Lady

A cookie sheet is usually magnetic, which makes it a perfect base for a magnetic organizer. To camouflage, the fact that the sheet is meant to be in the oven, line the back with reclaimed wood contact paper.

DIY Magnetic Organizer from The Crazy Craft Lady
02 of 25

Update Inexpensive Coasters With Felt

Inspired by Charm

You can usually find pom-poms and basic coasters at the dollar store. If they aren't in stock, check out the Dollar Tree website to order online. Once you have your supplies, all you need to do is glue the pom-poms to the coaster and voila.

DIY Wool Felt Coasters from Inspired by Charm
03 of 25

Add Labels to Basic Pantry Storage Containers

The Social Home

Every dollar store is going to stock different types of items and containers. This blogger found a variety of different pantry containers at her local store. To make them more custom, she added matching pantry labels.

Dollar Store Pantry Makeover from The Social Home
04 of 25

Transform a Rubber Door Mat Into Wall Art

Salvage Dior

The rubber mats at the dollar store might not strike you as durable enough for your front door. In fact, they are generally pretty flimsy. However, add a coat of paint, and the mat might make a great addition to a blank wall in your house.

Rubber Door Mat Wall Art from Salvage Dior

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05 of 25

Upgrade a Laundry Basket With Rope

I Heart Organizing

Rope baskets look great with throw blankets inside, but they can get expensive. Make your own using a cheap laundry basket and colored rope. The thicker the rope, the more luxurious your final result will look.

DIY Rope Basket from I Heart Organizing
06 of 25

Make Art Using Gold Thumbtacks

Live Love DIY

You can find a wide variety of office and school supplies at the dollar store. Instead of only using these supplies for work and school, think outside the box. Pick up a blank canvas and use gold thumbtacks to create a cool piece of wall art.

How to Make Art Using Thumbtacks from Live Love DIY
07 of 25

Spray Paint Locker Bins for a Vintage Look

Adrienne Elizabeth Home Style Life

If you need to get organized, the dollar store should be your first stop. There are usually a ton of different organizing bins. However, most of them are brightly colored and look more childish than anything. Don't let that stop you. A can of spray paint and some sharp labels will go a long way.

DIY Vintage Locker Bins from Adrienne Elizabeth Home Style Life
08 of 25

Shape Mirror Candle Holders Into a Box

Hi Sugarplum

There are a couple of different ways to repurpose mirror candle holders. This project shapes them into mirror boxes that can be used as a planter or a little box for your vanity. Just be sure to add felt pads to the bottom to prevent scratching.

DIY Mirror Boxes from Hi Sugarplum

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09 of 25

Adhere Nautical Rope to a Simple Glass Vase

Love + Marriage

Want to update a clear vase to look more nautical? Glue on some rope and add gold embellishments. Update more than one vase, and then use all of them for a centerpiece.

Turn $1 Vase Into Something Beautiful from Love + Marriage
10 of 25

Use Knobs and Mirrors to Make a Jewelry Holder

Homey Oh My

Gathering a bunch of small mirrors on the wall will reflect light and make space feel larger. You can do this by hanging some hexagon candle holders found at the dollar store. To add functionality, glue on some knobs to hang jewelry. Just be sure you use an adhesive that is strong enough for a hanging variety of necklaces and bracelets.

DIY Jewelry Mirror Wall Hangings from Homey Oh My
11 of 25

Customize Plain Terracotta Planters

Caylin Harris

Depending on the season, you'll find a wide variety of planters at the dollar store made from a variety of materials. Sometimes if you're lucky, you can find some smaller terracotta pots. If so, update them using paint.

How to Paint Terracotta Flower Pots from The Spruce
12 of 25

Repurpose Dishes Into a Jewelry Tower

Confessions of a Serial DIYer

If you have a lot of jewelry you wear regularly, consider making a jewelry tower for your vanity or dresser. At first, the project might look weird. However, once you add paint, it all comes together.

DIY Jewelry Storage from Confessions of a Serial DIYer

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13 of 25

Pick Out Bright Colors for Clear Vases

Sugar and Charm

You might be able to find some enameled vases at home decor shops, but you'll be paying a lot more than a dollar. Learn how to create a rich enamel finish on a clear glass vase that will only cost you a buck. It's easier and less expensive than you might think.

Beautiful Enamel Painted Vases from Sugar and Charm
14 of 25

Craft Magnets Out of Clear Glass Floral Marbles

The Happy Housie

If you go through the floral section of the dollar store, you'll likely find clear and colored floral marbles meant for the bottom of vases. Repurpose them by creating your own magnets. This blogger used a vintage map, but you could use just about any design.

Quick and Easy DIY Map Magnets from The Happy Housie
15 of 25

Personalize Cases for Your Electronics

Mod Podge Rocks

Sometimes you might want to spend more money on your phone or tablet case. However, you might find a significantly cheaper plain case at the dollar store. Consider updating this dollar store case by using Mod Podge and craft paper.

DIY iPad Case Made for a Dollar from Mod Podge Rocks
16 of 25

Embellish a Pair of Flip Flops

My So Called Crafty Life

Flip flops generally aren't very expensive if you look in the right places. However, you can make them look a lot more expensive by adding different embellishments. This person added faux florals, which you can also find at the dollar store.

Easy DIY Floral Sandals from My So Called Crafty Life

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17 of 25

Use Compacts to Create a Striking Wall Mirror

Thistlewood Farms

Large mirror walls like this one are expensive to buy premade. However, you can make your own by using makeup compacts from the dollar store. You'll save money if you can find a compact that has a mirror on both sides.

How to Make a Wall Mirror from Thistlewood Farms
18 of 25

Stack White Dishes to Make a Succulent Terrarium

Craftberry Bush

White dishes from the dollar store might not hold up in the kitchen for a long time, but they work out well for various craft projects. This idea fuses the bowls together using glasses.

Fresh and Succulent from Craftberry Bush
19 of 25

Distress a Pair of Salt and Pepper Shakers

Paint a Sign

If you like farmhouse style, consider creating a little flower vignette using a salt and pepper shaker. Painting and distressing them will make the shakers look vintage and much more charming.

Flower Vases from Salt and Pepper Shakers from Paint a Sign
20 of 25

Paint Mason Jars to Make Them More Festive

The Spruce Crafts

Use paint to make a mason jar or canning jar much more festive. If you plan on using jars for a purpose outside of the kitchen, painting the inside won't be a big deal. However, you might want to reconsider this project if you plan on storing food inside the jar.

DIY Watermelon Mason Jars from The Spruce

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21 of 25

Create a Trivet for Pots and Pans

Dream a Little Bigger

These clothespin trivets would make a charming addition to any colorful, modern kitchen. Your countertops will thank you.

Colorful Clothespin Trivets from Dream a Little Bigger
22 of 25

Learn How to Change the Color of a Mason Jar

Freutcake

If you don't have a knack for finding vintage mason jars in a variety of colors, consider making your own. To get started, you'll need some Mod Podge and some liquid food coloring.

DIY Colored Glass Mason Jars from Freutcake
23 of 25

Assemble a Cotton Wreath

The Crazy Craft Lady

Some of the products in the dollar store floral section look cheap unless you know how to use them. This blogger found fall berry sprig and a grapevine wreath at the dollar store. To make the look feel more expensive, she added some cotton ball sprig that she found at the craft store.

Dollar Store Cotton Wreath from The Crazy Craft Lady
24 of 25

Glue Candlesticks and Trays Together

Joy's Hope

This tiered tray is very similar to the jewelry holder, except it uses trays instead of bowls for each layer. This idea is perfect if you plan on hosting a party. What's better is you can keep repainting the tiered trays to go with each gathering's theme.

A Carnival of Tiered Trays from Joy's Hope

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25 of 25

Construct a Lantern Using Simple Picture Frames

Simply Handmade Studios

There are a ton of cool ways you can repurpose picture frames. In this project, the frames are glued together to create a house shape. The house is used as a lantern, but it could also be a terrarium.

Rustic DIY Lantern With Dollar Tree Frames from Simply Handmade Studios

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