9 Items Designers Always Buy at Dollar Tree When They Spot Them

Scrolling through social media, it's easy to assume that perfectly organized, magazine-worthy living spaces must have cost a small fortune. But here's the secret many designers won't tell you: a lot of the decor items making these spaces look expensive come from Dollar Tree.

Several designers agree that they choose items from Dollar Tree for their projects as they can score stylish, versatile items while saving money in the process.

If you're ready to refresh your home without breaking the bank, we've compiled nine insider tips on the top Dollar Tree items designers swear by and how to use them in your own space.

Annemarie Schumacher, Founder of Make Every Day an Event, has a knack for spotting luxe looks at bargain prices. When it comes to Dollar Tree, there's one item she never overlooks.

"In particular, I shop Dollar Tree for their glass candle and votive holders. They are the bomb!" Schumacher says. "These ribbed glass votive holders, for example, are reminiscent of Baccarat's Harmonie pattern — for literally a fraction of the price. You can place them in groups of three within your tablescape or line them down the center of your table. And with such a reasonable price tag, you can afford to buy one or two dozen to really create an elegant impact!"

Holidays are always busy at Dollar Tree, with shoppers scrambling for DIY supplies. But Schumacher suggests keeping an eye out for something a little more refined.

"For the holiday and winter season, I love the Royal Norfolk plates," she says. "At 10.5 inches, they're slightly smaller than a traditional dinner plate, which makes them perfect to layer on top of white dinnerware for a cozy, Pottery Barn–style look. Add some evergreen and berry branches, and you've got a sophisticated table your guests will love."

If you're stuck on how to give your dining table an elegant, upscale look for a special event, Joseph Naulls, head designer at Hotel Santa Fe, suggests picking up clear glass vases from Dollar Tree.

"I'm always on the hunt for basics at Dollar Tree that look more expensive than they are," Naulls says. "These clear glass cylinder vases are perfect for decorating tables that seat anywhere from 10 to 15 people. I'll often fill them with aromatic flowers like lilies and magnolias, plus lots of greenery, to create the illusion of a much larger arrangement." He added, "Sometimes I mask off parts of the vase with tape and spray the rest in gold before removing the tape to reveal an even more expensive piece."

Founder and interior designer of ED Interior, Evgenia Ermolaeva, chimed in and added, "I use them as sculptural elements. I stuff them with beans or rocks for stability, stick in one eucalyptus branch, and bam — it's got that clean, pricey vibe."

We've all been there — renovating a space with a tight budget only to realize something is missing and there's little money left to fix it. For moments like these, Dollar Tree can be a treasure trove of decorative finds. Home remodeler and CEO of Shelf Expression, Ben Kuhl, knows this firsthand.

"We recently renovated our home and struggled with how to fill an empty wall in the dining room. Since we didn't have much budget left for artwork before selling, we decided to get creative. We went to Dollar Tree and purchased a mix of photo frames in different sizes, then spray-painted them all in a brushed brass finish. After filling them with black-and-white family photos, we installed our new gallery wall. The space instantly felt polished and inviting, and it quickly became the standout feature of the room."

Woven baskets are the perfect accessory for stairwells, shelves, tabletops, and even unused corners. Interior designer Courtney Cole of TileCloud suggests picking them up at Dollar Tree to give your home instant appeal while staying on budget.

"A basket for your extra bits and pieces keeps any room tidy, preventing clutter from creeping up on you — it happens more often than you think!" Cole says. "I recommend placing a basket or two at the front door for shoes or beach towels, and in the living room for extra throws or pillows you want to keep within reach."

A beautifully arranged floral centerpiece can transform any room, adding instant color, texture, and dimension, but this decor item often comes with a high price tag. Kendra Hagerman, owner of Kendra Found It, shares why Dollar Tree is her go-to secret for affordable flowers and floral accessories.

"When it comes to floral supplies, Dollar Tree is one of my favorite hidden gems," Hagerman says. "Their selection of faux flowers, floral foam, wreath forms, and vases is surprisingly good — and everything is much more affordable than the craft store. It's my first stop for DIY arrangements without overspending. The quality is better than you'd expect at this price point, and because the cost is so low, you can experiment with different colors and textures until you get the look you love."

Jill Deloris, CEO of Deveraux Art Designs, works with clients who often seek creative solutions for unused spaces in their homes. To meet this need, she regularly peruses the aisles of Dollar Tree for one item in particular.

"The majority of my clients are looking for unique ways to fill dead spaces throughout the home — places like countertops in laundry rooms or bathrooms, or reception tables," Deloris says. "For these projects, I like to use seasonal collection pitchers and jugs. I fill them with silk flowers, dried flowers, or even fresh flowers to create a unique focal point for these spaces. What I love about Dollar Tree is that there's such a variety of these jugs, so they fit into any design style."

Mark Clay, a stager with Deveraux Art Designs, often works on large events like receptions, banquets, and quinceañeras. While most people might assume he spends a fortune on decor, Mark has a little-known secret: he and his team turn to Dollar Tree for mirrors that instantly elevate a space.

"We are frequently asked for solutions to personalize faux walls or dividers," Clay explains. "For this, we turn to Dollar Tree, and one of my favorite bulk items to buy are the Special Moments decorative mirrors. Not only do they look more expensive than they are, but you can really personalize them. Sometimes we leave them gold as-is; other times, we apply acrylic paint to the frame. We've even removed the mirrors and replaced them with photographs supplied by the client."

Winnie Lai is a professional organizer in New York City who specializes in space-saving solutions. She confessed that she gave up shopping at Crate & Barrel years ago in favor of Dollar Tree's more affordable prices and plentiful stock.

"I have single-handedly depleted the plastic organizing trays at my local Dollar Tree," Lai says. When asked why, she explained, "I bought so many because they are easy to incorporate into our clients' designs. I use them to organize drawers, office desks, and pantries, and I also place them in cabinets and the refrigerator to section off space and create a more streamlined, organized look."

From plastic dividers to artificial flowers, there's no shortage of designer-worthy gems at Dollar Tree. Whether you're decorating for yourself or stocking up for a larger project, Dollar Tree consistently delivers quality at affordable prices.

Curious about more Dollar Tree hacks? Visit the Life Hacks blog for creative ideas on transforming everyday Dollar Tree items into one-of-a-kind pieces. You can also use a top cash back credit card to earn rewards on every purchase.