The Dollar Tree DIY That Transforms A Bathroom Essential Into A Chic Pillow

Bath mats from Dollar Tree tend to be pretty thin and, in our humble opinion, don't work so great for their intended purpose. You need something thick and shaggy to soak up all that after-shower dampness, and these rugs are just $1.25 each. What can you really expect? The bright side for passionate DIYers is that they easily transform into the kinds of pillows that will dress up our interiors or soften a padding-challenged couch. Run a line of hot glue around three sides of two mats and stick them together. Stuff the mats-turned-pillow case with anything squishy you have on hand, glue the top closed, and voilà la! You have an attractive throw cushion in just a few minutes flat — or, better yet, puffy.

It's best to get your hands on the primary item needed for this unbelievably easy DIY first so you know what you're going to be working with. The Dollar Tree Home Collection pattern cotton bath mat that is the star of this particular hack runs a rectangular 21 x 15 inches in size and comes in a select range of minimalist, go-with-anything patterns and hues — think beige tones and art nouveau border details. It's ideal for homeowners looking to add subdued comfort to a classically themed living room. Boho buffs looking to make more of a statement with their accessories could consider the discount retailer's Home Collection striped rugs. They're the same size but boast vibrant, woven vibes straight out of a Moroccan souk.

Matching rugs, mats, or even hand towels in similar sizes sitting disused at home all work for this sneaky trick that instantly makes any regular throw pillow look luxe. Best of all, up-cycling costs you nothing, especially if you have the other supplies and tools. Alternatively, go shopping for matching textiles at your local thrift stores, and follow the same pillow-making instructions to craft truly unique cushions. Any sized rug or mat works, though smaller sizes are easier. Also, avoid mats with any kind of backing — rubber, non-slip plastic, or otherwise. They'll be much harder to glue together seamlessly and fill with stuffing, and may make your complete pillow feel less snuggly.

Other materials you'll need are a hot glue gun and a handful of glue sticks. If you don't already have some, Lowe's sells a quality Arrow glue gun and 24-pack of sticks for under $40. Dollar Tree sells hot glue sticks, but it hasn't sold the gun itself since a recall of its Crafter's Square glue guns in 2022. You'll also need some kind of pillow stuffing, either up-cycled from old cushions or bought new. A 12-ounce bag of Poly-Fil costs less than $14 at Walmart. If you prefer a natural option, Amazon sells 12 x 16-inch feather and down pillow inserts for a little over $25. For a budget version, at least on the inside, stuff the cushion with ripped-up old t-shirts or scrap fabric.

Lay one mat on your worktable, with the side that would usually face the floor facing upwards. Set the other mat atop it, floor side down. Starting from a short side, run a line of hot glue as close to the edge of said mat as possible, then press the top mat down onto the bottom, creating what resembles a stitched seam. Press the mats together along the seam for a few minutes while the hot glue dries, then repeat for the two long sides. Stop at the final short side, leaving it open. Take the filler or pillow insert and push it through the open short side, stuffing it until you reach your preferred firmness. Once full, close the remaining short side with hot glue as you did the other sides.

Those handy with a sewing machine or needle and thread can, of course, sew the rugs together instead of hot gluing them. Put the mats back to back and stitch four sides together, leaving a large hole in one of the shorter sides to push the stuffing through. Turn the new pillow case the right way around and stuff it. Hand-stitch the hole once the pillow is puffy. Use your new cushions indoors or out, and if they get dirty, deodorize and refresh the throw pillows in a snap by hand or machine washing them in cold water and throwing them in the dryer on the no-heat setting.