The Genius Way You Never Thought To Use This Dollar Tree Wood Decor

If you're in need of a home decor shopping spree, there are few places better for your budget and creativity than Dollar Tree. In fact, there are even Dollar Tree items that outshine HomeGoods, Walmart, and Amazon in price and quality. Some items can be a bit harder to style than others, though. For example, the adorable Beaded Wood Tassel Hangers look lovely on the shelves, but may be a bit difficult to imagine in your home. Luckily, YouTuber Do It On A Dime has a genius suggestion: Use the wood hangers as coasters. While it will take a bit of effort to make it work, the ornate carved wood look is perfect for coasters.

The Dollar Tree wood hangers are meant to be hung up, and they consist of a string, wooden beads, a carved medallion, and a tassel at the end. The medallions come in four varieties with dimensions of roughly 5.5 inches by 5.5 inches. With most standard coasters having dimensions of 4 inches by 4 inches, the Dollar Tree medallions are an ideal size. They are large enough to fit most drinking containers while keeping the lovely design visible. The wood hangers' thickness of about one-half of an inch is also typical for coasters. However, the material, which is 70% MDF, poses a bit of a problem as a coaster. When exposed to moisture, MDF absorbs it, swells, and warps, so your gorgeous coasters would be quickly ruined if you tried to use them. Luckily, you can seal the coasters to prevent water damage. 

To turn these decor pieces into coasters, first decide if you want to keep the tassels. They could add a unique touch, but cutting them off with scissors will make the medallions look more like traditional coasters. Then, you should go about sealing the coasters to protect them from water damage that could occur from sweating glasses or spills. There are a few ways to seal MDF and wood, but one good option for this project is to use a clear polyurethane finish. This finish makes the MDF more water-resistant, and the application process is simple. Start by wiping the coasters clean before applying thin and even coats of the polyurethane using a paintbrush or foam brush until the coaster is completely covered. Allow it to dry for 24 hours. An acrylic spray or Mod Podge, if you are looking for creative ways to use decoupage in your home, could also be effective.

Another upgrade to consider is adding rubber bumpers to the bottom of the coasters to prevent scratches underneath. You can find small adhesive rubber bumpers at many hardware stores and online, and packs of 100 clear rubber bumpers can cost under $5. With these two minor additions, you can upgrade your home's coasters to an elegant wooden look that will hold up against the moisture that coasters face. Just be sure to learn some creative ways to repurpose old coasters to take them from trash to treasure before tossing your old ones.