Keep Kitchen Essentials Tidy And Counters Clear With A Chic Dollar Tree Hack

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Kitchens are often the biggest money sinks in an entire house. After spending thousands on cabinets, counters, and appliances, you still need a bit of cash to stock the area with food and supplies. Thank goodness internet creatives are willing to share clever DIY storage solutions that look high-end. On the channel Cozy DIY Home, YouTuber Christina Dennis shared a brilliant, easy, and cheap upgrade to a Dollar Tree Storage Essentials Kitchen Turntable. Lazy Susans like these are handy enough as-is, but this one's clear acrylic form isn't anything to write home about. Dennis topped the plain contraption with a stained wood circle made from a Crafter's Square Plywood Sign, also from Dollar Tree (via YouTube). The grain on this $1.25 plywood disk has a surprisingly luxe finish when coated in a rich walnut stain.

This attractive rotating countertop addition is an ideal spot to keep seasonings, olive oil, and other food prep must-haves. In addition to the two Dollar Tree finds, copy Dennis's design with a walnut wood stain, a brush or rag, and a heavy-duty glue. Dennis relied on hot glue, but E6000 is a better choice for binding two different materials for long-term use. For the best possible bond, also set aside some 120 to 200 grit sandpaper; roughing up the smooth surface of the plastic before applying the glue gives the adhesive a little more to grip onto.

To create this upgraded lazy Susan, first snip away the cord from the wooden sign and rub the wood stain onto one side of the sign. Make sure to cover the cut edges, as well. Since the wooden disk has two holes along its edge for a hanging cord, you may want to fill them before staining the piece. There's an easy DIY wood filler you can make at home with a mixture of sawdust and wood glue. However, once you've placed your essentials on the lazy Susan, the holes shouldn't be very conspicuous.

If you can't get past the holes, or even filled ones, on the wooden disk, you can trade up for an already-stained wooden tray with a raised edge like the Romadedi Rustic Wooden Tray. Although it costs more than the Dollar Tree sign, it's ideal if you don't have a can of wood stain already on hand. In fact, it can save you a few bucks — and some time — over purchasing both a wood sign and a container of stain. Plus, its sturdy form is a visual step up from the plywood sign.

Give the raised acrylic edge of the turntable a light rubdown with sandpaper, and wipe away any dust. Cover the edge with glue, and set the wooden disk or tray in place. Let the glue dry and cure before putting your creation to use.