Upcycle Dollar Tree Finds Into A Chic Decor Piece That'll Keep Your Counters Tidy

Countertops and clutter go together like peanut butter and jelly. It seems as though no matter how hard we try to keep countertops free of clutter, they inevitably end up as a dumping ground. Keys, loose change, and coupons inevitably find their way onto the kitchen counter, while makeup products and hair ties take over the bathroom vanity. In such instances, the options are either to buy ready-made organizers or DIY your own. Needless to say, we're partial to the latter, considering you can create a footed, catch-all tray using only two Dollar Tree items: a plastic platter and table tennis balls.

Just to give you an idea — something similar (yet smaller) can cost well over $50. Exhibit A: the LetiFly Ink Spots Footed Catch All Tray, priced at a whopping $127. Instead of spending that much, you can grab a pack of All-Star Sports Plastic Table Tennis Balls, along with Dollar Tree's Clear Plastic Crystal-Cut Chip and Dip Tray for $1.25 each. Besides those, you'll need some spray paint and a hot glue gun. Not only is the end result a Pinterest-worthy décor piece, but you also get to corral those small bits and bobs once and for all. Oh, and did we mention it's easy peasy to make?

First things first, decide what color(s) you want your tray to be. You could spray-paint it gold for a glamorous look. Or, stick with the classic black and white if that's your jam. You might even want to use stone spray paint instead. Something like the Rust-Oleum Stone Creations Spray will give the piece a nice, textured finish so it doesn't look plastic-y. The same goes for the Rust-Oleum Cement Paint if you prefer concrete-inspired décor. Consider these a way to lean into the natural home décor trend that's coming back around without buying expensive stone homeware.

You can stop there or get a little artistic with a splatter effect. To do so, dip a paintbrush or toothbrush in acrylic paint and lightly shake the brush/flick the bristles across the tray. While that's drying, throw four tennis table balls in a bowl and spray paint them, too. These will act as the feet. Whether you want them to match or contrast with the top is up to you. Either way, once everything is dry, glue the balls to the bottom of the tray (one on each four sides), and that's about it for the DIY.

All that's left is to organize your chaos. Since it's a catch-all, you can really use it anywhere, not just on counters. Plop it on your entryway table to house on-the-go essentials. Or why not place it in the bedroom to keep the top of your dresser clutter-free? Just remember not to add anything too heavy since it's plastic, after all.