Fake A Gorgeous Wooden Side Table From A Simple Dollar Tree Stool

Sometimes, style is all about knowing how to put the simple things together in a way that looks effortless, even if it involves a drill or a small glue gun crisis that you'll keep to yourself. The truth is, you don't always have the budget to buy the sleek, in-style home decor furnishings that you want — and that's okay. Why? Because more often than not, there is a way to buy or build a good substitute at a fraction of the price.

For example, if you've been struggling to find an affordable living room table or plant stand for your space, you may just be in luck. You can easily create a chic table using a wooden round as a table topper, E6000 craft adhesive, wood stain, and a small stackable stool from Dollar Tree. With this hack, you can make cheap Dollar Tree decor look expensive and save your decor budget for other furniture.

The table can store your favorite houseplants, storage containers, books, or reading materials for guests. It can also be used as an outdoor stand for your balcony plants and shrubs, helping them gain better access to daily sunlight. And the coolest thing about this easy hack is that you won't spend over $40 to complete the project. Dollar Tree has a few stools available for $5, and you can find a similar 24 to 30-inch wood table topper at places like Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Amazon for around $15. So say goodbye to Google searches for "the best side tables for under $100" for now, as you can make your own trendy side table in less than an hour.

To start, remove any rope, stickers, or other attachments from your table topper piece and then wipe it down with a dry cloth to remove any dust. Next, set it on your work table and apply the wood stain to one side. Let the stain dry before applying it to the other side. A minimum of two coats is usually suggested; add more if you want a darker tone. Next, apply a bead line of glue to the top edges of your bar stool. Then, add several beads of glue across the top of the stool. Once the stain has dried on your topper piece, gently set it on top of the stool and center it. Press it down firmly to secure it and let it sit there until the glue is dry.

Note that this project is great for creating a spacious side table for sizable decorative items. However, you can also substitute the wood round for a rectangular pine board if you want a narrow side table. These boards can be found at Home Depot and Lowe's for just a few dollars per piece. To mix things up, consider painting the table topper instead of staining it. For example, you can turn it into a coffee table for your living room, using it for reading materials and tea trays. Adding stencil decorations or painting with a light-colored chalk paint can make the table more vibrant. You can also wrap rope or artificial vines around the stool legs for a more industrial look — something that'll work well with modern boho decor.