The Adorable Home Decor You Can DIY With Dollar Tree Items This Spring

Springtime is the perfect season for whimsical crafting and fun floral DIY projects, from wreaths and flower arrangements to vases and baskets to put them in. TikTok user @thenestdesigns recently unveiled an adorable DIY project created using widely available Dollar Tree items that can be assembled for under $5. Using a wooden cutting board, two sets of glass salt and pepper shakers, and some floral napkins, she creates a set of cottage-style bud vases perfect for your spring decorating needs.

In addition to the Dollar Tree cutting board, salt and pepper shakers, and paper napkins, you will also need some white or cream spray paint, black paint, Mod Podge, scissors, Vaseline, a Sharpie, and a glue gun. This project is a great alternative to other board-backed bud vase sets available from home retailers that cost much more. In addition, you can easily customize the project to match your décor in many different ways. 

To create the set of bud vases, begin by readying the surface of the cutting board with paint. To get a weathered look, start with a coat of matte black rubbed with Vaseline around the edges and in spots intended to show through. Add a coat of white spray paint over the top, using a rag to wipe away the top layer in certain areas and around the perimeter of the board. @thenestdesigns recommends using some sandpaper to wear down the finish even more. Once you've achieved the desired finish, use a straight edge and a Sharpie to make horizontal lines across, resembling a charming shiplap pattern.

Once the base is finished, remove the lids from the shakers and decoupage the glass with floral napkins applied with Mod Podge. Make sure to wrap the shakers in the napkin neatly and evenly, covering the top and bottom edges with a couple of extra coats to ensure the napkin does not come loose. Once the shakers are dry, use a hot glue gun to affix them evenly spaced in a line across the bottom of the board. The shakers will keep the board standing up, so make sure the bottoms fall evenly at the base or it will lean forward. 

The design details of this DIY project are completely customizable to fit your aesthetic. While this particular video involves shabby chic decor, you can paint the board a different color, use different napkin designs, or leave the shakers bare to create a series of clear vases. Alternatively, swap out the shakers for small uniquely shaped clear or colored bottles. You can also add crafty accents like beads, decorative papers, twine, or paper butterflies. While Dollar Tree cutting board options in finish and size are limited, you could use a cutting board from another retailer or a plank of wood finished or sanded to your desired shade for a more minimalist rustic farmhouse or industrial look. 

If desired, you can create a hanging version of this cheerful flower vase project by attaching a sawtooth hook with small screws on the back. You can also use magnets glued to the back to hang it on your fridge as a cute spot to hold small things like toothpicks or straws. While @thenestdesigns adds some raffia to the jars and uses them for small flower cuttings, a TikTok user in the comments section mentions the project would also make a great organizational bathroom caddy for holding small items like toothbrushes or cotton swabs in a bathroom.