DIY Hanging Shelf Wall Decor That Looks So High End With A Few Dollar Tree Supplies

Whoever first said they had "champagne tastes and a beer budget" would love the wealth of luxe-look yet cheap decor projects people have shared online. Dollar Tree's shelves are burgeoning with supplies for DIYs, whether they're intended for crafting or not. One of their Plastic Floating Shelves makes a great base for wall art that's both pretty and practical. Topped with a frame that can hold something decorative, a memorable photo, or even a mirror, this $1.25 purchase will help give any room in your home a high-end look.

The ingenious TikToker from @TheDIYStruggle found charming arched-top frames at Dollar Tree to use as a decorative element for their floating shelf upgrade. Spruced up with a bit of decoupage and faux florals, this easy and adorable craft comes together in minutes, minus glue drying time. At the time of writing, Dollar Tree isn't selling the arched frame our inspo crafter used, but rectangular or square frames will also contribute to a cute assemblage. However, if you're sold on the arched look, a frame like this Green Tree Gallery Arched Picture Frame could do the trick without setting you back too many bucks.

All you need to put the two components together is a hot glue gun and some heavy-duty adhesive. A few optional adornments are plastic or dried flowers, jute cord, paper and ModPodge for decoupage, and paint. If you do choose to paint your shelf and frame, also set aside some sandpaper and a rag.

Start by removing the back and glass or acrylic from the picture frame. If you're painting your piece, rub the frame and shelf down with sandpaper, and wipe away dust with a rag to help the paint stick to the surfaces. Cover the frame and shelf with a few coats of paint, and let it dry and cure before continuing. Center the frame vertically on the shelf, and use both heavy-duty glue and hot glue to hold the two together; the hot glue will give instant hold while the other adhesive dries and cures. E6000, a glue you should keep in your home, is a great adhesive for bonds between two different materials. For an extra-secure hold, let this glue dry and cure for between 24 and 72 hours.

Now you're at the fun part: customizing your project. You can decoupage the frame's backing with any paper you'd like and finish with ModPodge. One ply of a decorative napkin works beautifully if you find a pattern you like. But you can also use pages from old books you aren't reading anymore for a literary bent. Comics and graphic novels also make eye-catching backdrops. The nice thing about decoupaging the frame's backing is that you can still place a picture and the glass back in the frame for versatility if you choose to. Add seasonal images, family photos, kids' drawings, or anything else that strikes your fancy. For extra flair, bundle together a small cluster of faux flowers with some jute and glue it at the top of the frame. Hang your creation and enjoy!