12 Easy Crafts for High-End Home Decor on a Budget (Using Dollar Tree & Thrift Store Finds)

ByChas

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Love high-end home decor but not the price? Check out these 12 easy crafts using Dollar Tree and thrift store finds—quick and gorgeous!

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Hi friends!
If you’re anything like me, you love a beautiful home but don’t always have the time (or patience) for over-the-top DIYs. Whether you’re short on time, short on budget, or just feeling a little “lazy crafter” vibes lately—I’ve got you covered. 😉

Love high-end home decor but not the price? Check out these 12 easy crafts using Dollar Tree and thrift store finds—quick and gorgeous!

I created 12 quick and easy home decor projects using Dollar Tree and thrift store items. These are perfect for beginners, seasoned crafters, or anyone who wants to decorate without breaking the bank.

Let’s jump into these simple crafts and beautiful diys!

Easy Crafts Step-By-Step Instructions Video

✨1. Thrifted Vase Turned Faux Mercury Glass

Simple Supplies:

How-To:
Clean the vase with rubbing alcohol.

Spray light coats of mirror spray paint and let dry.

Spritzing the vase with vinegar
blot the vase with a paper towel

Then spritz with vinegar and blot gently with a crumpled paper towel for that vintage mercury glass look.

Pop in some fairy lights and boom—instant ambiance!

📝 I placed mine next to my reading chair for that cozy glow.

glass vase from dollar store

🕯️2. Floating Candle Vase

Basic Supplies:

  • Glass vase (Dollar Tree)
  • Decorative rocks
  • Faux greenery
  • Water
  • Floating candles
  • Optional: hanging embellishment (like a mini dragonfly)
finished dragonfly craft with lit floating candle

How-To:
Layer rocks and greenery, fill with water, and float a candle on top. I even added a little dragonfly my mom gave me for a personal touch. Great for bathroom decor or a relaxing soak. You can find this full tutorial and other dragonfly crafts in my post Easy DIY Dragonfly Craft with Video

For all of these projects, you can use a Dollar Tree glass jar, or you can use Mason or Kerr jars, or even recycled jars. You can use small, medium, and large jars for gifts. You can even find some of these glass jars at thrift stores.

🧴3. Chalk-Painted Mason Jar Bathroom Set

Supplies:

I used white Folk Art Home Decor chalk paint and painted on my first coat on all of the jars. It is important to pick a paint that says it is okay for glass. If you don't pick the right kind of paint it could peel or scratch off easy.
I took a sanding block and lightly rubbed it over the raised words on the jars. This removes the paint from the raised lettering. I like sanding blocks as it helps to sand flat and I don't accidentally sand places I don't want to.
Sanding like this is called distressing. You can distress your painted mason jars as much or as little as you want. If you make a mistake, simply paint the jar again and start over.
I'll be using mine in my bathroom. I added make up brushes, the soap dispenser, a vase, toothbrush holder, and cotton ball holder. I'm thrilled with how use these farmhouse painted and distressed mason jars will be, and at a fraction of the cost of buying them.

How-To:
Paint 2 coats on your jar, then distress with a sanding block over raised lettering. Add twine and a pump for a soap dispenser—or use them to hold brushes, mint, cotton balls—you name it! I embellished mine with twine, but you could use yarn, ribbon, or anything else you like. You can see my full tutorial and video for this project in my post Painting Mason Jars and Distress Them Easily with Video

For this project, I'm using rub-on transfers and the ceramic heart that I found at Dollar Tree.

💖4. Rub-On Transfer Ceramic Heart

Budget Friendly Supplies:

  • Ceramic heart from Dollar Tree
  • Rub-on transfer
  • Credit card
Following the transfer instructions I peeled the backing off and placed it onto the ceramic heart.
Once I had that in place I went ahead and used a credit card to rub all the transfer onto the ceramic heart.
I carefully peeled the backoff this was to make sure that it was definitely transferred. If not I would have put it back down and rubbed some more once it was peeled off this project was done as well.
I'll be adding some twine to this and hanging it up in our home.
I hung up my little ceramic heart.

How-To:
Apply the transfer by rubbing with a card. Gently peel up to reveal a perfectly transferred design. That’s it! So easy and pretty. You can see this full tutorial and video in my post Super Easy DIY Dollar Tree Valentine Ideas with Video

Here is one of the dollar store soap dispensers. In order to stencil it, I cleaned it with rubbing alcohol. This would remove all oil, dirt, and debris.

🧼5. Stenciled Soap Dispensers

Supplies:

I applied my Folk Art adhesive stencil onto the soap dispenser. Make sure to press firmly so all edges are attached and air bubbles are done.
I used Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Paint in white onto the stencil with my stencil brush. To do this, I loaded the brush with paint, then used a paper plain and tapped the brush on it to off load as much paint as possible. Then I tapped the brush onto the dispenser until the stencil was coated. Make sure to read the back of your paint to make sure it is good for the surface you're painting on.
Peel off your stencil as soon as you have the desired amount of paint. Many of these stencils are reusable, simply clean it and put it back onto it's backing. Let it dry completely. It's important to read the back of your paint for cure times before use. Now onto the second dispenser...
Here are my 2 dollar store dispensers. I'll be filling them with hand soap and hand sanitizer.

How-To:
Clean, stencil, dab on paint, and peel while wet. Customize one for hand soap, one for sanitizer—stylish and functional! You can find the full tutorial in my post Upcycle Soap Dispensers

candle holder and napkins

🕯️6. Napkin Decoupage Coaster

Supplies:

tracing coaster on napkin
cut the circle out of the napkin
Paint mod podge on the coaster
Press the napkin onto the mod podge

How-To:
Trace, cut, and mod podge the napkin onto the coaster.

seal the napkin with another coat of mod podge
Here is your easy craft a decoupage coaster

Seal it, let dry, and you’ve got a cute, custom gift (or something sweet for your table).

Materials need for this easy craft - flat candle holder, glass candle holder, ceramic bunny, foliage

🐰7. Bunny Cloche Dome

Supplies:

  • Small glass dome or jar
  • Ceramic bunny
  • Candle holder base
  • Faux greenery
  • Faux knob or handle (optional)
  • Hot glue
Place the ceramic bunny on the center of the candle holder
glue foliage around the bunny

How-To:
Glue your bunny and greenery to the base, then place the dome on top.

Finished easy craft of a bunny inside a cloche

I added a faux knob to the top of mine. So adorable for spring!

summer by the sea art project step 1 with stencil

🌊8. “Meet Me By the Sea” Stenciled Sign

Supplies:

  • Dollar Tree wood sign
  • Stencil
  • Paint
  • Stencil brush
  • Tape
summer by the sea art project step 2 with stencil
summer by the sea art project step 3 with stencil brush painting canvas
summer by the sea art project step 4 removing stencil from canvas
summer decor ideas with dragonfly fountain and summer art ideas

How-To:
Tape stencil in place and dab with paint. Carefully peel while wet for crisp lines. It’s now by my backyard fountain, giving coastal vibes! You can find this tutorial in my post Ultimate Summer Decor Ideas Home Tour & DIY Inspirations

materials glass block, battery operated lights and stickers

💡9. Glass Craft Block Light

Supplies:

adding stickers to the glass block
placing lights into the glass block
finished easy craft glass block night light display

How-To:
Stick your designs onto the block, fill with LED lights, and set it in a bathroom or hallway for a cozy nightlight effect.

adding glue to candle holder

🌸10. DIY Gold Pedestal Candle Holders

Supplies:

  • Gold taper candle holders
  • Round candle holders (Dollar Tree)
  • Fix-All adhesive or super glue
  • Tea lights
candle holders glued together to dry

How-To:
Glue the bases and tops together. Let dry fully.

Picture of the easy crafts - these candle holders look like tulips

These look like high-end pieces on my dining table, but they cost just a few bucks!

4 picture frames and a battery operated candle

🏮11. Picture Frame Lantern

Supplies:

  • Four 5×7 Dollar Tree frames
  • Hot glue gun
  • Faux candle
  • Optional: greenery
Pulling apart the frame so you just have the frame left
Glue the frames together in a square or lantern shape
Easy Craft - completed lantern

How-To:
Glue the frames together into a cube, pop in a candle, and style with foliage. So simple, and a serious Pottery Barn dupe!

Placing a battery operated candle in a lantern

🕯️12. $3 Lantern Makeover

Supplies:

  • Dollar Tree lantern
  • Faux candle
Lantern sitting outside
lantern at night

How-To:
I saw one of these for $59—no thanks! I picked up a $3 lantern and added a candle. Done. These look gorgeous on my porch at night!

Love high-end home decor but not the price? Check out these 12 easy crafts using Dollar Tree and thrift store finds—quick and gorgeous!

Easy Crafts Tutorial Video on YouTube

Final Thoughts

You don’t need fancy supplies or hours of free time to decorate beautifully. These lazy crafts are proof that you can have chic, cozy, seasonal style—on a serious budget. Are you full of creativity and ready to get started on your fun craft?

Chas sitting with lantern

💐 Bonus: Want More Spring Fun?

Grab my Free Spring Bucket List and a copy of my Spring Craft Guide to keep the creative momentum going! 🎉. Look for the link below

Got a favorite craft idea from this list? Let me know in the comments!
And if you try one, tag me on social @chascrazycreations—I’d love to see what you make.

💛 Until next time, happy crafting!

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Chas, the creative force behind Chas' Crazy Creations, is a renowned DIY expert, innovator, and passionate crafter with over 30 years of experience in repurposing, upcycling, and home improvement. Combining a successful career in dance program management with extensive expertise in digital marketing, website development, and consulting, Chas brings a unique blend of artistic vision and practical know-how to the DIY and crafting world.

At Chas' Crazy Creations, visitors find a treasure trove of crafting and home project resources, including detailed tutorials, creative inspiration, and practical tips. Chas specializes in making creativity accessible to all, offering projects ranging from budget-friendly upcycling ideas to seasonal and holiday-themed crafts. The website caters to crafters of all skill levels, featuring easy-to-follow instructions and projects utilizing everyday materials.

Beyond DIY, Chas is a sought-after motivational speaker and business consultant. Leveraging deep experience in digital marketing, SEO, social media management, and brand building, Chas helps businesses grow and thrive in the digital landscape. As an advocate for hands-on creativity and sustainable living, Chas' mission is to inspire and empower others through engaging, innovative content that bridges the gap between traditional crafting and modern digital strategies.

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