I’m a Dollar Tree super fan – how to transform your backyard for a fraction of what Walmart & Pottery Barn charge

WITH summer in full swing, barbecues and pool days make your backyard the prime destination of the season. Yet decorating the outdoor space can be both creatively and financially overwhelming. Pulling inspiration from high-end retailers like West Elm and Pottery Barn is helpful, but you don’t actually need to purchase the decor to get the […]

WITH summer in full swing, barbecues and pool days make your backyard the prime destination of the season.

Yet decorating the outdoor space can be both creatively and financially overwhelming.

Pulling inspiration from high-end retailers like West Elm and Pottery Barn is helpful, but you don’t actually need to purchase the decor to get the same pieces.

Luckily, YouTube’s DIY queen Megan from the channel Glue Guns & Roses has figured out the key to decorating your backyard at the lowest cost possible.

As an avid Dollar Tree fan, the crafty influencer uses wood planks, small fabric rugs, and some hot glue to create side tables, outdoor pillows, lanterns and so much more.

In the video, Megan compares the original prices of the decor to what you can spend to make it yourself.

First up, tiered planters.

Although these items can range from $50 at Walmart to $325 at West Elm, you can make your own tiered planter for around $7.

All you need is three or four of Dollar Tree’s metal planters, two of Dollar Tree’s $1 wooden stakes, some spray paint, nails or screws, and a hammer.

Start by poking holes into the bottom of the metal bins.

Then, attach a wooden stake to both sides of the bin. You can staple or nail them in.

Line up the other three along the stakes.

A simple coat of spray paint, some greenery, and you’re done.

Next, Megan demonstrates how to make outdoor pillows for only $3 by using Dollar Tree’s woven rugs.

One small rug is big enough to make one pillow.

Start by removing the seams to get extra fabric. Smooth the rug, fold it in half, and glue the sides together.

Once you re-tie the tassels, all you have to do is find something to stuff the pillows with and then glue the pillow shut.

To make a large lantern that West Elm would normally charge over $100 for, all you need is four $1 wooden stakes.

Make sure the wood is three feet and then cut two, six-inch pieces from each.

With some wood glue, a square, and again some paint, you’ve got yourself a modern lantern. It’s important to let the glue fully dry over night before painting it.

Megan moves on to show us how to make a hanging door planter and side tables.

For the planter you just need a wide, flat wooden plank and one Dollar Tree wooden box. Glue the box to the end of the plank, paint it, and add you house number along the top.

To make a side table, the materials are a little different. You’re going to need some wreath forms, glue, and a wired waste basket.

Attach the forms on top of one another, cut off the top rim of the waste basket, and stick the body of it inside the middle of the table. This creates storage for plants, blankets, etc.

Choose a paint color and then let it dry.

Lastly, jumping on the recent watermelon trend, Megan makes her own rug in the shape of the fruit.

Taking two outdoor rugs, she tapes them together and then cuts out the shape of the watermelon half.

With the extra material, tape them to the sides of the half-circle to expand the area even more.

Get $4 rope from Dollar Tree, and start lining the inside of the rug with the rope. After a couple of rows, stop, leave a couple of inches of room, and then continue gluing the rope on top to fill in the rest of the space.

All you have to do then is paint the design of the watermelon and you have a new rug for the fraction of the price it would’ve been to buy a similar one.