Hidden Gems: Dollar Store Discoveries for Clever DIY Projects

What you’ll need: Tennis balls and a sock
Estimated cost: $3*

Don’t we all know that all too familiar feeling after a long day when we finally get to sit down and relax but our shoulders and back are really tense? This is a super creative idea to give yourself the most satisfying massage using dollar store tennis balls and an old (clean) sock.

DIY Massager @hgtv / Pinterest.com

To create this DIY massager, you simply need to put three tennis balls into the sock and give yourself a lovely back and shoulder massage. You can also use fewer balls for smaller areas like the feet or neck and adjust the tension by loosening or tightening your grip on the sock on either end.

What you’ll need: A tennis ball and tin foil
Estimated cost: $1.50*

Nobody likes a static sheet. But that’s not the only purpose of dryer sheets – it’s also about the scent. What if there was something you could create from objects you have lying around the house and you’d never have to buy dryer sheets again?

DIY Dryer Ball @beckydinany / Pinterest.com

This tennis ball wrapped in tin foil will reduce static, leaving your sheets soft and fluffy. And as far as the smell is concerned, you can select your favorite essential oils and put a few drops on the ball before wrapping it up. You can change the oils depending on your preference 

What you’ll need: Bread Tags
Estimated cost: $10.49*

Those little plastic tabs on bread bags are great for keeping the bag sealed with freshness. You can even write on them when you buy your bag of bread so that you can tell if it’s time to throw out your bread before it becomes moldy. However, after that, what else can you do with them?

Bread Tags @GreenEcoServices / Pinterest.com

It turns out that bread tags are ideal for keeping your wires and cords organized so that there are no more tangled messes at your computer desk. Just bundle the cables into different ones and write on the tags to know what each line is attached to.

What you’ll need: 12 magnetic containers, spray paint, labels
Estimated cost: $8*

These are really simple to make and solve the frustrating problem of endless bottles of spices in the cupboard, inevitably the one you need is right at the back and you have to unpack and repack each time. The process is fast and you can use whatever spray paint you might have at home. 

DIY Magnetic Spice Cabinet @dawnsea123 / Pinterest.com

Simply spray the containers your chosen color, stick on the labels and there you have it. You can have printed labels or simply written labels will do. You can stick a baking tray to the inside of your cupboard door using poster strips and you will never lose your jar of paprika again. 

What you’ll need: Tin cans, hooks, and wire
Estimated cost: $4*

This simple idea has three great benefits, first of all, we are upcycling so it’s great for the environment. Secondly, what is better than growing your own herbs at home? And finally, they don’t take up any counter space! Perfect for smaller spaces or for a more minimalist look.

Hanging Herb Garden @sulivan3 / Pinterest.com

You will need to drill holes in the bottom of the tin to allow water through as well as on the sides to hang using the wire. Be sure to file down any sharp edges. You can spray-paint your tin to match your kitchen decor, fill it with soil and plant your herbs! 

What you’ll need: Magazine holders 
Estimated cost: $2*

Remember the old days when we used to have things like magazine subscriptions? Our monthly or weekly Cosmopolitan to catch up on all the gossip has mostly been replaced with online media, but luckily we have a very useful way to utilize your old magazine holders or of course you can pick up at the Dollar store for a buck.

@RetroFun/Twitter.com

Storage is such an issue today with cities getting fuller and homes getting smaller. You would be surprised how many ways this can be used to store things neatly. This is a brilliant way to store cans in such a way that they take up half the space but these can also be used for spices, all your filing that needs to be sorted, or even toiletries. 

What you’ll need: Dino toy, succulent, and soil
Estimated cost: $8*

Dollar-store dinosaur toys aren’t just for kids anymore! These budget-friendly items can be transformed into quirky, eye-catching planters that add a touch of whimsy to your home or office. With a little creativity and some basic tools, you can create an affordable conversation piece while embracing your inner paleontologist.

DIY Planters @cline1860 / Pinterest.com

To get started, simply cut out a hole in the back of the toy large enough to hold a small plant or succulent. Add some soil and your favorite greenery, then sit back and enjoy your prehistoric planter. This fun DIY project is perfect for adding character without breaking the bank.

What you’ll need: Under Shelf organizer
Estimated cost: $3-30*

The clever thing about this under-shelf organizer is that it is easily fitted and removed. It doesn’t require any tools at all, no nails, hammers, or glue. It just fits right below any shelf you might use for extra storage and let’s be honest – who doesn’t need that?

@JosephJoseph/Twitter.com

It is the perfect size for kitchen foil but it has so many uses. It could be used in the dry goods cupboard and would easily fit pasta and dry goods or baking supplies and trays. This could even be used for magazines and newspapers and in the wardrobe for extra sheets and towels.

What you’ll need: Command hooks 
Estimated cost: $1*

How many times have you looked for an item in the kitchen drawer only to end up unpacking the entire contents before finding that one little measuring spoon you needed? These hooks are the answer to your organization problems. 

@BobVila/Twitter.com

There is truly no limit to how these hooks can be used. Pictured above we see it in a baking drawer, they can be used to keep washcloths organized, towels, pots, and pans, and basically anything with a hook on the end! Simple to apply and even simpler to use, this will be a game-changer.

What you’ll need: Sponges, colorful tape and snack bags
Estimated cost: $6*

Have you ever needed an ice pack for a lunch box but not had one the right size? Or an ice pack for the kids meals but they don’t want a bulky, unattractive ice pack in their bags? This is the perfect solution!

Ice Packs @kathycollins15 / Pinterest.com

Take a sponge and soak it in water, then freeze the sponge. Once frozen, put the icy sponge inside a snack bag which you can decorate with colorful tape. The tape has a dual purpose as it also acts as insulation. You can create any size you need with different sponge sizes and folding the snack bag up to fit.

What you’ll need: Yard stick, paint, clip boards and wooden pegs
Estimated cost: $8*

The best thing about these ideas is that they are all adaptable to our personal tastes. This hack uses a yard stick, which is really cute because of the measurements for a kids room. But you could always use another type of stick for a more sophisticated look if you were to use it in the adults or shared spaces in the home.

Clip Board Wall Displays @michellethrumyl / Pinterest.com

Simply paint the wooden pegs the desired color and glue to the stick of choice. You can then use clipboards as a base for anything you would like to display. This can work for kids art, pictures or paintings and even family photographs.

What you’ll need: Straws and Strawberries
Estimated cost: $2.22-$3.22/lb.* (Strawberries), $8.95/200* (Straws)

Strawberries are a healthy, delicious snack, whether on their own or added to a salad or dessert. Strawberry shortcake is one of the classic desserts, and, though it’s delicious, the process of chopping all the strawberries can be tedious. You need to remove the leafy green parts, but it’s not easy to do that without hacking off the whole top of the berry.

Straws and Strawberries @squarespace / Pinterest.com

Until now. You can use a cheap plastic (or metal) straw to remove the leafy part of the strawberry. Just shove the straw straight through the berry’s pointy end, and that will push out the leaves.

What you’ll need: Baking tray, craft paper, and magnets
Estimated cost: $6*

This organizer is so lovely, especially with the wooden craft paper, but of course, you could use any design that you like. This is simply a cookie tray with craft paper glued on top. It can be used in every room of the house and for all items that need to be organized.

DIY Magnetic Organizer @AngelaRichter / Pinterest.com

Magnetic tape is very easy to use, and with just a touch of tape at the back of any item, you can use the magnetic tray to keep it all in its place. From makeup to stationery, as well as magnetized containers to keep all your little bits and bobs in one place. 

What you’ll need: Dollar store lazy susan
Estimated cost: $1*

How many times have you had to unpack the contents of the under sink storage while searching for that one detergent which is inevitably in the very far back corner? This lazy Susan under sink storage solves so many problems.

Lazy Susan Under Sink Storage @cattherinev / Pinterest.com

First of all it is so much easier to organize, saving space and time. Secondly, it is so easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Just turn ol lazy Susan around and voila! This idea could be used in all areas of the house, including kitchen cupboards for things like spices or canned goods.