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.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

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!"

The ribbed texture can add visual interest even when the holders aren't lit, making them useful beyond a dinner party. Try grouping several at different points on a dining table, mantel, console, or bathroom counter for a coordinated look. Using identical glass pieces in multiples is also an easy way to make inexpensive decor feel more intentional and upscale.

Holidays get 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."

Layering is one of the easiest ways to make a table setting look more finished without buying an entirely new dinnerware set. The slightly smaller size also gives you room to see the plate underneath, creating contrast between the two pieces. For a seasonal setup, pair the plates with neutral linens and simple greenery, so the patterned or holiday-themed pieces remain the focal point.

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."

The clear design also makes these vases easy to adapt to different decorating styles and seasons. Use a single stem for a minimalist arrangement, or group several vases together for more visual impact. For a party or wedding, matching vessels can help create a cohesive tablescape without requiring one oversized floral arrangement. If you're using heavier fillers or spray paint, keep the vase on a protected surface and make sure the finished piece is stable before displaying it.

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."

A gallery wall can also help make inexpensive frames look like a coordinated collection rather than a group of mismatched purchases. Before hanging anything, arrange the frames on the floor to experiment with spacing and placement. Black-and-white photos are particularly useful because they create a consistent visual style, while a single paint finish can tie together frames in different sizes.

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."

The biggest benefit is that baskets can make everyday storage look like part of the decor. Use them to corral blankets, accessories, toys, towels, or other loose items instead of leaving everything in plain sight. On open shelving, a woven basket can also break up rows of hard surfaces and add texture. For a more pulled-together look, choose baskets with similar colors or materials and repeat them in several rooms.

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."

Faux flowers can be especially practical for seasonal decorating because they can be reused rather than replaced when fresh flowers wilt. Mix different heights, shapes, and greenery to keep an arrangement from looking too uniform. You can also use individual stems in small vases around a room rather than putting everything into one centerpiece, which can make a modest collection of flowers go further.

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."

A decorative pitcher doesn't have to be limited to holding flowers. Leave one empty as a standalone accent, use it to display long branches, or fill it with seasonal stems for an easy refresh throughout the year. Because pitchers and jugs can work in kitchens, entryways, bathrooms, and living spaces, they can also help bring a repeated decorative element into different parts of your home.

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."

Small decorative mirrors can also help reflect light and make a display feel more layered. At home, consider arranging several on an accent wall, placing one on a shelf, or incorporating them into a larger decorative grouping. If you're customizing the frames, test paint on an inconspicuous area first and allow the finish to dry fully before handling the mirror.

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."

Clear organizers are particularly useful when you want to see what you already have instead of digging through opaque containers. Use separate trays for small pantry items, office supplies, cosmetics, kitchen tools, or refrigerator contents. Before buying several, measure the drawer, shelf, or cabinet where you plan to use them. That can help you avoid wasting money on organizers that don't fit your available space.

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? Search YouTube 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.

The key to getting the most from inexpensive decor is to focus on how you use it, rather than how much you spend. Grouping similar pieces, repeating materials, and adding a little DIY customization can make budget-friendly finds look considerably more intentional. Just remember that Dollar Tree's selection, prices, and availability can vary, so a great find may not be available every time you visit.