17 Chic Dollar Tree DIYs You Can Create Using A Cutting Board
Budget-conscious DIYers are always on the search for affordable materials, and Dollar Tree is one popular spot to shop. There are so many project ideas to draw inspiration from, ranging from easy and affordable rustic Dollar Tree decor DIYs to creative accent walls using the store's materials. And since wood costs for projects can add up quickly, dollar store alternatives are even more appealing. So, we've rounded up ideas that use Dollar Tree cutting boards — a great way to get a wood look material at an ultra budget price.
The store sells a plastic cutting board, and you can find ways to repurpose the Dollar Tree chopping mat. However, the projects on this list use the Cooking Concepts Bamboo Cutting Board that costs $1.25. A good size, simple to stain or paint, and easy to cut too, it's ideal for a variety of projects. So, keep reading for some creative and chic DIYs that use it as a base.
A riser tray is an easy DIY
One of the easiest and simplest projects is a DIY riser tray. Dollar Tree bamboo cutting boards are the perfect size for this task. It's food-safe too, so you can also use the finished product as a raised serving tray (as long as you only use food-safe products to finish it). This TikTok user opted for two wooden planks from Dollar Tree for classy and minimalist legs. However, you can choose from a variety of legs to customize your tray. One major perk of this project is that it doesn't look homemade, and considering trays of this style often cost over $20, this DIY riser tray is much easier on your wallet, too.
It's also simple to make a more ornate riser tray
This riser tray project is more decorative, ideal for those who prefer a more ornate style. This project uses another leg option and shows how it can totally transform the look of the tray. You can use a variety of Dollar Tree items as legs, such as wood shapes and beads. Some ideas include the Crafter's Square Wooden Peg Dolls, Crafter's Square Wood Beads, and Crafter's Square Wood Craft Cubes. The bead border and double-tray design also add a nice decorative touch and make the tray look thicker and more substantial.
Add handles for a serving tray
It's simple to whip up an elegant serving tray on a budget using Dollar Tree items. The bamboo cutting board is completely food safe. But as-is, the board looks boring, and may not be something you want to put charcuterie or hors d'oeuvres on. Adding handles gives it that little upgrade that elevates it and makes it better for serving than just any old chopping board. The Amazon Basics Modern Square Cabinet Pull Handle offers a similar look to this project, but there are so many other styles to choose from. In terms of Dollar Tree items, you can use Crafters Square Synthetic Leather or Crafter's Square Wooden Bead Wreath and turn them into a couple of handles. This DIY is also much cheaper than buying a serving tray, which can range from about $20 to over $100 for high-end brands.
Use a cutting board as backing for a decorative wall hook
If you want to add the rustic touch of wood behind a decorative wall hook, a Dollar Tree cutting board is a cheap and easy way to do so. This idea can give the area a warmer and homier look, especially in contrast to a hard metal hook. The cutting board is affordable, and you don't have to cut a larger piece of wood down from the hardware store. Also, its thinness doesn't jut out from the wall too much if you're tight on space, so you get the lumber look without much bulk.
Craft a minimalist plant holder
This minimalist plant holder looks much more fashionable than the usual DIY Dollar Tree decor. It's easier to make with a cutting board compared to using hardware store materials, too. There's no need to cut plywood sheets, which is a difficult task without an electric saw. Not to mention, similar plant holders aren't easy to find and can cost over $25. So, beyond being affordable, this is a distinctive project that looks particularly beautiful in minimalist rooms. You can also make a freestanding version with these instructions to turn Dollar Tree cutting boards into a country chic vase for faux flowers.
Make a trendy decorative checkerboard cutting board
The checkerboard is a popular and playful pattern choice. One easy and low-risk way to try this design in your kitchen is with a checkered cutting board leaned against the backsplash. You can use paint or stain and painter's tape to create the design. Also, note that some paints and stains aren't food-safe, so boards treated with these options will be decorative-only. For a natural alternative, coffee is an ingredient you can use to naturally stain wood and get a similar look that's safe for serving. If you'd like to seal the board, use a food-safe product like Watco Butcher Block Oil & Finish.
Build an armrest table
A sofa armrest table provides a convenient spot to place a TV remote, phone, or cup of coffee, but they come at a cost, often around $30. However, it's a lot more affordable to make your own using a Dollar Tree cutting board. In an effort to stick to materials from the store, this DIYer uses the Tumbling Tower Games to create a base to glue the legs to. Instead, you can use single wood pieces rather than a row of blocks or add something like a few of Seansda's Corner Brackets for extra support.
Create a decorative holder
This decorative holder project is another creative option that uses the cutting board as a backing base. The TikTok user opts for a stick-on decal to decorate it, but you can also use paint, stencils, stickers, or decoupage to get your desired background. Some type of crate attached to the front makes it functional. In this video, they create a slim slot using the Crafter's Square Wood Pallets and small wood pieces. The finished product is used as a faux flower planter, but it's also a great option to store mail and paperwork. Alternatively, if you want a bigger storage space, you can stick a Crafters Square Wood Slat Crate on the front instead.
Make sleek bookends
Stylish and cheap, this minimalist bookend project is another idea that looks more chic than a typical dollar store DIY. This project is an excellent way to use up a piece of scrap wood as the base. Then, just attach the cutting boards vertically to create a spot to nestle your books. Plus, if you're using wood and glue you already have, you only have to buy a cutting board or two. That means the cost of this DIY can be under $3, and you can customize the setup to the width of the book collection you'd like to store.
Create a wall-mounted rustic mason jar vase
Wood is the material of choice for rustic DIYs. Well-sized and cheap, the Dollar Tree cutting board is more economical and easier to use than buying a similar thin piece of wood from the hardware store. For this project, you ideally won't have to cut it either, since it's a good size to use with a standard mason jar. Attach it to the board using a hose clamp, like the Bxian Stainless Steel Clamp. The finished project makes a unique piece of wall art for a country or farmhouse space.
Build a recipe or cookbook holder
You can make an affordable recipe or cookbook stand with a Dollar Tree cutting board and a few thin boards like Custom Shop Paint Mix Sticks. This project uses a hinge to create a stand, but for an easier option, use a product like the Rierdge Easel Back, which you can attach with glue or a small screw. Making one yourself is very easily customizable, so you can decorate it to your heart's content with paint, decals, or decoupage.
Use a cutting board as the base for a decorative sign
A Dollar Tree bamboo cutting board is the perfect base for a DIY sign. If you're making a small sign, the bamboo cutting board is ready-to-use as-is, without the need for cutting or finishing edges. To decorate it, you can use paint, stencils, stickers, Cricut decals, decoupage, or draw directly onto the board. The options are endless, making this a project that works with a wide range of aesthetics. For a floral sign similar to this project, a product like the Jeffdad Stencils for Painting on Wood takes the guesswork out of making pretty shapes.
Build zig-zag floating shelves
These zig-zag shelves look distinctive and modern, but don't come with a typical high price tag. It's hard to find shelving in this design, and some cost as much as $100, much more than making your own. You can DIY these shelves for around $25 with a few bamboo cutting boards, and adhesive like Gorilla Wood Glue, some nails, and something like Sawtooth Picture Hangers for mounting them. However, just keep the sturdiness of this handmade option in mind. The thin material and small nails mean that they are only suitable for light decor items.
Make a pretty file and letter holder
It's quite simple to DIY a pretty and practical letter holder using Dollar Tree cutting boards. The finished holder looks very nice too, rivalling store-bought options. Many bamboo mail holders can be bulky, but this DIY is sleek and compact. It also has enclosed sides, so you can use it to hold other items too. It can display or store plastic plants and flowers, serving utensils, paint brushes, and other craft supplies. Plus, when it's displayed on a counter, it hardly looks like a Dollar Store DIY.
Build a mug tree
This project is an affordable Dollar Tree cutting board hack that keeps coffee and tea mugs more organized. It's particularly useful if you've run out of cabinet space, but want more practical and decorative countertop mug storage. It's also very easy to build and is cheaper than many store-bought options too. The main materials for this project are the bamboo cutting board, rolling pin, and some hooks like the Biaungdo Ceiling Cups Hooks. On top of the lower price, one benefit of building your own is that you can choose the hook positioning to perfectly fit your mugs.
Put together eye-catching stands
Using a bamboo cutting board and a Round Metal Candle Holder from Dollar Tree, this DIYer builds a pedestal decor stand that costs less than $5. Compared to similar-sized pedestals, which can cost around $15 to buy new, that's a steal. There are lots of ways to customize this project by changing out the base. The Black Metal Pedestal Candle Holder is another Dollar Tree product that sticks with this modern black and wood look. Or, the Thindolex Set of 2 Candle Holders is an affordable option for creating a pair of shorter stands. Just keep in mind that taller holders will be less stable, so when it comes to placing items on top of the finished stands, you'll want to make sure they're lightweight and well-balanced.
Transform a cutting board into a useful pocket organizer
A pocket organizer made from a Dollar Tree bamboo cutting board is both rustic and useful. The wood backing gives it a homey look that's ideal for country and farmhouse homes. The material you choose for the front pocket section will also influence its style. For example, the burlap material and wood buttons in this example suit a farmhouse home well. For rustic homes, consider a leather pocket with brass tacks, and white linen fabric can be a lovely choice for coastal decor. You can use the pocket as a purely decorative holder for artificial or dried plants, or as a practical organizer for small items.