Hide Cluttered Eyesores With This Smart Dollar Tree Hack

Clutter: The enemy of your stylized, curated home. Everyone has it somewhere, but others are better at hiding it. Finding clever tricks to disguise everyday mess is a constant goal for many, and while there are numerous stylish decor ideas that avoid clutter, this trick might be the best of them all. If you love hearing about inventive ways to hide mess, and you like spending as little money as possible in the process, this Dollar Tree hack could become your whole personality. Simple, aesthetically pleasing, and budget-friendly, creating faux planters that are really storage boxes incognito is the only way to organize your accessories and items that otherwise cover your surfaces. 

Dollar Tree DIYs to keep your countertops free of clutter and your drawers far more organized are all the rage, which is why it's no surprise this hack is trending. All you need to build these useful boxes are lidded containers from your local Dollar Tree, like these Clip Lock Small Storage Boxes or the Translucent Plastic Storage Boxes (both $1.25 each), and some faux plants that you can glue on top to disguise the box itself. The great part of this DIY is that you can play around with both your storage boxes and the plants you add, so no matter what you make, it will match your home decor and add greenery that brightens up any room. You can find fake plants, moss, and gravel if you choose to include them online or at your local craft stores.

Once you've purchased your items, it's time to decorate. If your boxes come in colors that are loud or more noticeable as storage rather than the planter they are supposed to be imitating, you can also buy paint to cover the exterior. Use enamel, acrylic, or epoxy-based paints, as these will stick to the plastic and create a solid finish that hides what is actually underneath. If you managed to find containers that are neutral shades, you can leave them as is. Clear plastic should be covered up, either by paint or decoupage, otherwise your clutter will still be visible through the sides. When it comes to the lid, you have several options, too.

If the container you chose already has a lid, then you can simply decorate this. If you find an open air container like these Dollar Tree plastic bins for $1.25, you can craft your own lid out of either plywood or thin wood that can be cut to fit, or you can even use cardboard. If you make your lid, paint this, too, to match your box or disguise the color of the cardboard/plywood. Next, use the faux moss to completely cover the lid, regardless of whether it is homemade or comes with your box.

By using the moss as your first layer, you're creating a more lifelike planter creation. Painting the lid dark brown or even black can also add the effect of soil. Use a hot glue gun or Gorilla Glue to adhere the moss to the plastic, cardboard, or wood, and allow it to dry. Build a lush succulent terrarium-style box with these faux plants from Amazon, or purchase foliage from any store that sells fake plants and trim the stems off so the pieces will stick better in the moss. Glue these down, too, to ensure everything stays on.

Continue to add plants and moss and even gravel as needed so that your lid looks lush and green, then let it dry completely. Once the top has a chance to set, you can begin placing items inside the box before closing it up. Place your new faux planters on windowsills, dining room tables, side tables, shelves, and on countertops to both display them while hiding clutter under people's noses. Whenever you find yourself with too many items and no place to keep them, just head to Dollar Tree and grab a few supplies to build your own hidden storage.